Wolves were 'pathetic' on Bully's debut - report

But this was a world away from the rejuvenated Wolves that the two new signings would come to define.

Just 5,252 watched Graham Turner's team beaten 3-0 at home to Wrexham in a 'pathetic' Molineux performance on November 22, 1986.

At the time Wolves were ninth in the Fourth Division – and fans were even calling for Turner to be sacked.

After their debut performances Bull was described as someone who could be a 'useful muscular ally' for strike partner Andy Mutch, while Thompson was said to be too weak. Bull wore the number eight shirt against Preston, while Thompson was in midfield and wore number seven.

No one could predict the success that was just around the corner - but Wolves fans would have to wait a little while yet.

Turner's team lost their next two matches by the same 3-0 scoreline, including a disastrous defeat to non-league Chorley in the FA Cup two days after the Wrexham loss (Bull and Thompson both missed the game as they were ineligible).

Here we carry the Express & Star match report in full from that Wrexham defeat.

Wolves 0 Wrexham 3, November 22 1986

Dismal Wolves in Molineux shambles

To his credit, Graham Turner did not try to hide from the harsh truths of another afternoon of Molineux misery.

The Wolves manager, deprived of his voice by a bout of flu, still found the few words necessary to sum up his side's pathetic performance.

"There was only one side who wanted to win," Turner said. "We defended badly and didn't compete. Nobody gives you anything in this game and if you don't show passion, you're in trouble."

Had he been fit, Turner could have said more. But Wrexham had already got the message across for him loud and clear in 90 alarming minutes.

Wolves may have a new board, a new manager, two new coaches and a sprinkling of new players.

But many of the old problems remain. They were lively in attack, but the midfield were as clueless as they were weak and Floyd Streete, Steve Stoutt and Eric Nixon had nightmares in defence.

Two basic mistakes highlighted Wolves' troubles. First, Stoutt committed the schoolboy error of standing and appealing for a throw-in and Jim Steele emphasised the virtues of playing to the whistle by having a shot hacked desperately off the line by Streete.

Then, Paul Comstive brushed aside two or three challenges that were pitiful even by netball standards, only to blaze wildly over the bar.

It was no day for Wolves' two debutants, Steve Bull and Andy Thompson, to shine.

Bull should prove a useful muscular ally in time to Andy Mutch, but Thompson may need a bit more strength around him in midfield before his 5ft 5in frame is put to good use.

Ironically, it was Ian Handysides, one of the two players at the end of impressive loan spells, who was Wolves' most creative force.

He had a fine first half, providing a couple of chances which, if accepted, could have prevented the shambles that followed.

But Steve Buxton and Joe Cooke showed the home side how to finish and Comstive went through on his own midway through the second half to score with ease, which will have done nothing to undermine Chorley's confidence for tonight's FA Cup replay.

It was Wolves' biggest home defeat of the season and, when the restless section of their following became fed of baiting the visiting fans, they called for Turner's dismissal.

Wolves: Nixon, Stoutt, Barnes, Streete, Forman, Robertson, Thompson (Ryan, 68), Bull, Mutch, Handysides, Lockhart.

Attendance: 5,252

By David Instone