How the relegated Premier League clubs will move on

Wolves face a start in a new division with a few new players.

They are not the only team facing an interesting summer. Plenty of change is expected at fellow relegated clubs Bolton and Blackburn, who join Stale Solbakken's Wolves in the Championship.

Express & Star Wolves correspondent Tim Nash spoke to Bolton News' Wanderers man Marc Iles and Andy Cryer, sports editor and Blackburn Rovers reporter of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph, for their views on how their respective teams will shape up next season.

1. Will there be a managerial change?

MI: No chance. The chairman Phil Gartside came out very early in the piece to show his support to Owen Coyle's long-term plan.

The club began drastically reducing wages etc 12-18 months ago and, while relegation isn't at all welcome, it doesn't change their strategy.

Coyle wants to build a younger, leaner club with more emphasis on home-grown players, but now he's got the added pressure of needing promotion from the Championship – a division, in fairness, that he had success in at Burnley.

AC: A lot more will be known once Steve Kean meets the owners to discuss the future today.

Most people believe the time has come for a change but co-owner Mrs Desai has kept faith.

The feeling is he will keep his job.

TN: Wolves have acted quickly and decisively with the appointment of Stale Solbakken.

He gave very few clues in his opening press conference about how he intends to take the club forwards but it's inevitable there will be some changes, in and out.

2. What are the players most likely to be sold?

MI: With 12 first-teamers out of contract, there are simple cuts to be made, but the likes of Jussi Jaaskelainen and Nigel Reo-Coker have indicated they want to move.

The prize assets are Chung-Yong Lee and Stuart Holden, two who have been out injured long-term.

Provided that factor puts off potential buyers, then Mark Davies would be the most likely player to receive a fee, with Newcastle thought to be interested.

AC: Junior Hoilett is out of contract and will leave with top clubs from home and abroad after him.

Steven Nzonzi, Yakubu, Gael Givet, Paul Robinson and Martin Olsson are also on their way out.

TN: Wolves will play hard-ball over prize assets Steven Fletcher and Matt Jarvis. Both are 25 and with three years left on their contracts and the club isn't likely to be tempted to do business at much less than £10m for each. Kevin Doyle doesn't fancy another relegation struggle and may yet stay.

Roger Johnson, Jamie O'Hara, Stephen Hunt, Ronald Zubar and Nenad Milijas could be off too.

3. What is the current state of the club's finances?

MI: On paper, the figures look high, but the £110m is mostly soft debt to the club's owner Eddie Davies, with no realistic chance of it being reclaimed. You could almost look at it as equity.

Wages have been astronomical, however, and that is something the club have been looking to address, making near 50 per cent cuts on the overall bill over the last 18 months.

AC: The finances aren't too bad. Rovers are debt-free but have had to cut their wage bill significantly.

The loss of the Premier League revenue will be a huge blow to the owners, especially as the club does little to generate its own funds.

TN: All relegated clubs face a minimum drop in income of £30m, which leaves Wolves the best placed to bounce straight back because they don't carry a penny of debt.

In addition, 99 per cent of the players' contracts contain relegation clauses including drops in salary of up to 50 per cent. The Stan Cullis Stand has cost £18m but nothing came out of the playing budget.

4. What is the mood of the fans?

MI: One of disappointment but in the majority, not one demanding mass changes.

Most Bolton supporters accept there were some mitigating circumstances that led to relegation, and the manager himself remains popular with a lot of them.

AC: Never been worse. The fans have lost faith in the manager and the owners and feel they're being ignored by the regime.

Fans have written a petition, with more than 4,000 signatures on it calling for Kean's dismissal and will be even angrier should the owners keep faith.

TN: The club's recognition of a need for change and something fresh has been welcomed and I sense the Molineux masses are ready to embrace Stale Solbakken.

5. What do you need to win promotion and what are your prospects?

MI: If Bolton can keep their squad largely intact, add a couple of defenders and a striker, I would put money on them bouncing back.

If they fail to add defensive solidity and goals, then it could be a long, hard season ahead.

AC: A new squad. Rovers will lose all their top players and be left with some promising but inexperienced youngsters.

Venky's have promised they will financially back a quick return to the top flight but we have heard it all before.

TN: Solbakken must sort out Wolves' leaky defence which has been a problem for several years.