Matt Murray tips Wolves' young guns to fire next season

An inconsistent campaign looks destined to end in a mid-table finish and Murray, a former fans favourite at Molinuex, admits Kenny Jackett's team have done 'just OK'.

Yet the club's ex-keeper reckons there are still plenty of reasons to be cheerful in the progression of youngsters like Jordan Graham, while Kortney Hause and Dominic Iorfa continue to be part of the England under-21 set-up.

Murray said: "All in all I think it's been an OK season. Some of these young lads will be better for it.

"I think it is going to be an exciting season next year because these lads have got more games under their belts now, and are becoming more and more experienced.

"A lot of them were in League One, and had a lot of games at that level, now they've had two seasons in the Championship, that experience will only bode well.

"I think it is about the future."

After missing out on the play-offs on goal difference last season, expectations Wolves would be among the promotion contenders were high.

But after Bakary Sako left as a free agent, Jackett lost several other key players over the course of the campaign.

Player-of-the-year Richard Stearman was sold to Fulham, while Nouha Dicko was ruled out for the season with injury, before top scorer Benik Afobe went to Bournemouth in January.

Jackett's squad has also suffered a spate of long-term injuries to key players including Graham and David Edwards, while Hause, Ethan-Ebanks-Landell and new signing Michal Zyro are among others who have spent extended time on the sidelines.

"I always thought it was going to be a tough season when you lose Bakary Sako, then Nouha Dicko did his cruciate early on," said Murray.

"Obviously Benik had his head turned a little by the Norwich bid last summer, and then we lost him as well.

"That's a lot of goals, a lot of explosive power and creativity out of the team.

"We lost Richard Stearman, fans' player of the year, players' player of the year. I didn't feel we were quite as strong, I think Zyro looks like a good signing.

"But again, unfortunately he came in, was brilliant, and then had the injury. It's frustrating because we've got great medical staff and they all work really hard, but a lot of these injuries are just things you can do nothing about.

"It's a shame because we had the momentum from League One and then last year missing out on the play-offs with just goal difference.

"I think Brentford have shown it's difficult, and there are some teams up there with some very experienced and Premier League squads if you like – Hull, Burnley, Derby have spent a hell of a lot of money, Brighton kicked on, they've done really well."

He went on: "Seeing some of the young players, it is a bit of a transition really.

"You've got Kortney to come back into the team, lots and lots of potential.

"We're showing how strong the academy is, Dominic Iorfa, Jack Price, so these young lads are getting more and more games under their belt.

"Fans are very patient and they understand that and I think we will reap the rewards. I see Dominic and Kortney with the England boys down at St George's Park and they've got all the attributes to go on and be top players."