Steve Bull: How has it come to this for Wolves?

Bull reckons the club will give Saunders, who he expects to stay as manager despite a patchy record since succeeding Stale Solbakken early in the year, carte blanche to build his own team during the close season.

And despite a miserable couple of years which have brought angry scenes to Molineux of late, Bull reckons Saunders will relish the opportunity.

Speaking in an exclusive interview today, Bull admits the club's current plight is heart-breaking but better days can be anticipated by long-suffering fans.

"Dean has got a clean start this summer and, for any manager, that is a dream," says Bull.

"He has got the chance to completely change the squad and build his own team. I think there are only six players out of contract but it will be a big surprise if many of the current team are still here, especially from those lads who were in the Premier League.

"I think Dean will get the bit between the teeth for that task. He wants a promotion, he really does, and he will be so fired up at what has happened since he got here.

"He will get the players he wants, players that will come and play for him. I can't say I have seen the Doncaster team that he left to come here but it was a similar thing he did there and it has not worked out too badly for them.

"Dean will want to build a team that plays fast, attacking football and scores goals. That's what we all love to see at Wolves."

Bull also urges Wolves fans braced for a summer of mickey-taking from their neighbours and rivals to "take it on the chin."

The Wolves striker feared he had been braced for a deluge of taunting texts from his Albion-supporting cronies but reveals that his phone has been strangely quiet. He believes this is a sign that even the club's great rivals are taking little pleasure in the downfall of Wolves, which has made the prospect of the eagerly-contested Black Country derbies even more remote.

He added: "It's only banter. I know it hurts. But you get over it, you really do.

"I've been involved with this club 27 years now. I've seen the highs and the lows. You get over it.

"I know there are Wolves fans out there now saying they won't be coming again and they won't buy a season ticket.

"But I know and they know that it's just stuff you say.

"When it comes down to it, you've got gold and black blood running through your veins and there's nothing you can do about it. They'll be back next season.

"They can't help it. Maybe it will be 16,000, 17,000 but if and when the team starts winning . . . well, just you wait and see. I know. I was there the last time."

Everyone must take a share of the blame – See today's Shropshire Star