Danny Batth says Wolves must look forward and not back as they prepare for the new Sky Bet Championship season – to make sure they pull together to ‘attack the league.’
Last season’s 14th place finish was certainly a disappointment after the first two seasons under Kenny Jackett, when Wolves surged to the League One title and then missed out on the Championship play-offs only by goal difference.
Skipper Batth believes there is little to be gained by any further analysis of last season, and, with the players now a week into pre-season, it’s about looking ahead with optimism to the challenge around.
“I am not really looking back too much now to be honest” he says.
“I think everyone always thinks about it maybe for a few days when you are away on holiday but then you move on and start thinking about the next season positively.
“It’s not about dragging our feet after last season but starting the new one on the right note.
“We need to be positive, be aggressive, pull together and make sure we attack the league.
“We have a lot of good young players and some good experienced players who can help and keep everything together.
“Let’s enjoy it – and have a good go!”
Batth also says he sets himself personal goals to try and improve year upon year, and next season will be no different.
And, whilst having perused the fixture list to see who and when Wolves come up against different opponents, the 25-year-old said current focus is all about pre-season.
“Everyone wants to improve from one year to the next and that is something I am always looking to do,” he says.
“I make sure I have got my own goals and my targets and if I can reach them then hopefully that will help the team.
“I will work as hard as I always do and try to make sure I take that next step and improve as a player.
“There are set targets which I write down both daily and weekly and I will go back to them from time to time to make sure I am on the right course and am putting the work in towards them.
“I think all the lads look at the different stages of the fixtures, in terms of the Christmas games, the start and end of the season, and the derbies.
“At the moment we are looking at pre-season and the block of games we have got and how to use it as a tool to make sure we are in the best position we can be to play our best football.
“It is a chance to set down some basics as a group and make sure we know how we want to play when the games start.
“We saw in the Premier League last season and have been seeing in the Euros just how massive team spirit can be.
“We will have the week away in Ireland to get fit and spend time together and sometimes that work you do off the pitch can be as important as the work you do on it.
“We have always been well drilled as a group and individuals and we can translate that into off the pitch to make sure we are a good, strong group ready to go through thick and thin together.”
The first week back at Compton Park has been a mixture of fitness testing and plenty of gym and football work.
Batth says the players have come back refreshed and ready to go again after the close season.
“It (the summer) is a time to recharge and come back in the best shape possible for pre-season,” he says.
“It is about coming back with a fresh state of mind and being ready to attack the season.
“At every club, and in every season, I think players need a break by the end of it whatever has happened.
“And it gives a chance to rest any aches and pains or problems players play through during the year.
“It is a high pressure sport which is physically tough and it is a good thing to get that break and come back ready to work hard and look towards a successful season.
“The structure of pre-season has changed a lot even during my time as a player.
“It is tailored towards the players coming back in good shape and with a good base and anyone who doesn’t will have to work harder in their own time to play catch-up.
“We want to make sure that we are in the best shape possible when we get to Rotherham on the opening day.
“Hopefully the fans have had a good break too and we can all come back with optimism and hopes for the future.”
