So the waiting is nearly over. Where else can I start my opening column with the Shropshire Star than with Wolves' first game in the Premiership.
I will be working for radio at Ewood Park tomorrow and I am really looking forward to watching our opening game at Blackburn.We have been out of the top flight for nearly 20 years and that is a long time for any club, and certainly too long for one the size of Wolves.
Ever since that memorable day at Cardiff, all Wolves fans have been waiting for August 16 to come round and I am no different.Yes I would love to be out there come 3pm tomorrow and it remains my biggest footballing disappointment that I wasn't able to help the club go all the way to the Premiership while I was playing.
Many supporters have said to me this week that they would love me to go out and play the first five or 10 minutes of the game but I have told them all the same thing.My time was ended four years ago and it is up to the current squad now to carry on their good work from last season.I am delighted to be one of the lucky Wolves fans who will be in the ground tomorrow and I am sure, like everybody else, there will be a lump in my throat when they walk out just before kick-off.
Wolves in the Premiership - it rolls off the tongue. Unlike most people, I actually fancy our chances tomorrow and will be disappointed if we did not come back with all three points.
All the supporters I have spoken to said they would be happy with a point but, after speaking to people who have watched Blackburn in pre-season, I don't think we have too much to worry about.Blackburn have sold a lot of players and, although they have the likes of Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke up front, I fancy us to sneak a 2-1 win and get the Premiership campaign off to a perfect start.
The aim for this season is survival and if we can do what Birmingham rather than Albion did, I will be over the moon.
People say you need to pick up points late on in the season but I think Wolves have got their best chance in the first three months.During that time, we are up against the likes of Portsmouth, Bolton, Leicester and Fulham and they are real six pointers if we want to stop up.
I think Dave Jones' Premiership experience will be crucial and I think the gaffer has brought wisely over the summer.The friendly against Boavista last Friday was very encouraging and I was very impressed by Silas.The Portuguese midfielder looks to have plenty of foreign flair going forward and, while he needs to work on his defensive work slightly, I think we might have a player to excite the fans.I am told Henri Camara has bags of pace and I think Oleg Luznhy and Jody Craddock will help our defence which is bound to be tested as the season goes on.
I still think we are little light in one or two areas, but I am sure the gaffer will strengthen in those departments as the season goes on.But his number one priority is to help his team get off to a flyer, and there will be no happier man in Blackburn than me if we do.
