Wolves boss Mick McCarthy wants to become a 'solid team' who are an established Premier League club.
Molineux boss planning for summer recruitments
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy wants to become a 'solid team' who are considered an established Premier League club.
Last season's Championship winners have avoided relegation from the top flight after their return to the big time.
McCarthy, who takes his team to already-condemned Portsmouth on Saturday, is now setting his sights on following the example of Europa League finalists Fulham and Wigan in consolidating their position in the Premier League.
He said: "I get asked about the ambitions for next season and the answer is, 'we won't be in the top eight and I don't want to be in the bottom three.'
"We just want to stay in the league and end up being a solid Premier League side.
"Fulham have become that in the past decade. Wigan have been in there for six seasons now. They have become a solid team you'd expect to stay in the league.
Behind the scenes
"Yes, they have flirted with relegation this year, but they've become a team you expect to remain in the Premier League.
"Don't get me wrong, I'd love to have the lofty ambitions to streak into the top six.
"But wouldn't it be lovely for us to get into a position in six years time where we are saying, 'one year we had a flirt with relegation and just escaped and the other years we finished 14th, 10th, 12th, whatever it might be.'
"Let's try and make sure we stay in the league. That is what we have to try and achieve."
With relegation having been avoided, McCarthy has had the opportunity to make early plans for his summer recruitment policy.
He said: "Staying up a couple of weeks early means we can start looking at players we might want to sign. That is a help and you can prepare and plan behind the scenes.
"The lads have been terrific this season but it has been a really difficult season at times and, no matter who we sign, it will be just as tough next season."
Meanwhile, Wolves have recalled teenager Danny Batth from his loan spell at Colchester.
