So what do they need to do to ensure that agony is avoided next year? Wolves correspondent

Tim Spiers

picks five areas that will make or break their season.

1, Keep Benik Afobe and Richard Stearman

With ambition from on high, money in the bank and some of the finest facilities in the division, Wolves won't find keeping hold of their star names too hard this summer, Bakary Sako aside.

In this respect they're one step ahead of last season's promotion rivals, who relied heavily on now-departed loan players.

Wolves will almost certainly lose Bakary Sako, but his departure has been planned for.

Carl Ikeme, Benik Afobe, Tomasz Kuszczak and Richard Stearman of Wolverhampton Wanderers model the new home kit for the 2015 / 2016 season.

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However, what they must do is retain the goalscoring menace that is Benik Afobe and defensive rock Richard Stearman.

It would take stupid money to sell Afobe, but not only must Stearman stay, he has to sign a new contract to avoid a question mark over his future as just 12 months remain on his current deal.

2, Strengthen the midfield

Probably Wolves' weakest area last year, although it wasn't for the want of trying.

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Boss Kenny Jackett tinkered like Claudio Ranieri, trying a host of different personnel and formations but struggled to find the winning formula.

He loaned out Jack Price before bringing him back, splashed out £1million on George Saville and then sent him to Bristol City, gave Lee Evans a run and then froze him out, the same with Michael Jacobs.

This inconsistency hampered Wolves' progress and Jackett needs to buy experienced players he can trust to handle a 46-game season.

Only Kevin McDonald is likely to be assured of a starting spot, with Jackett sure to shake things up.

3, Replace Bakary Sako

If and when Sako departs, his replacement will be the key signing of the summer.

He may have been one of the most frustratingly-selfish players seen at Molineux in recent years, but his sporadic moments of genius won Wolves many a game.

Taking away his goals and assists leaves a huge, gaping hole in Wolves' creativity department, which was hardly well stocked at the best of times.

Wolves have plenty of names on their radar to replace Sako, including Charlton's Johann Gudmundsson who fired in 11 goals last year and fits the bill.

His syllable-heavy surname would rule out a regaling of Pilot's most famous hit at Molineux next season, but Gudmundsson is just the kind of player Jackett needs.

4, Have a Plan B

One of the few, possibly the only, criticism levelled at Jackett last season was his lack of a Plan B.

His substitutions in particular were often castigated as being too late in games and too ineffective to make a difference.

The Rajiv van La Parra for James Henry change especially began to grate on supporters who thought the boss was becoming too predictable.

Kevin McDonald of Wolverhampton Wanderers sits dejected at full-time.

As Jackett himself admitted, Wolves were 'found out' at times, with the opposition targeting McDonald whose influence waned.

The emergence of Afobe changed all that as Wolves tweaked their tactics to go in behind, but he will be a marked man next year.

Jackett will need to become more tactically adept to make sure Wolves stay ahead of the game.

5, Handle expectations

Ah yes, the Wolves curse. Last year promotion would have been the Brucie bonus that finally forced Mr Forsyth to retire, with most supporters content for a mid-table spot and stability.

Going so close to the play-offs means that's a luxury Jackett and co won't have next season.

Fans rightly expect to see improvements year-on-year. Over to you, Kenny.