Wolves rounded off their pre-season with 1-1 draws against Sporting CP and SC Farense at the weekend.
It has been a productive past few weeks for Bruno Lage and the players in the blazing heat of Spain and Portugal, with the manager testing out different systems and personnel.
Lage played his strongest team against Deportivo Alaves, Besiktas and Sporting CP.
And it was mostly fringe players and youngsters against Levante, Villarreal B and SC Farense.
It was interesting to get a look at those who were out to prove a point to the manager.
One man who arguably did just that, was Connor Ronan.
The midfielder spent last season on loan at St Mirren, where he was absolutely excellent and won Player of the Season.
That was his sixth loan spell since joining Wolves at the age of 16.
Speculation has been rife about Ronan this summer. There has been talk of clubs in Scotland wanting him such as Aberdeen and Hearts.
But a few weeks ago it was claimed that Ronan would be given a chance to stake his claim in pre-season to be a Wolves first-teamer.
Within days of the squad flying to Alicante it was reported that Ronan had really impressed his teammates and coaching staff in training.
In the games, Ronan has looked really tidy for Wanderers. Granted, his minutes came against the ‘lesser’ opposition.
But each time he featured, Ronan showed poise and control. His technical quality is clear to see, and he has a solid passing range.
His showings have actually left some Wolves fans slightly bemused on social media as to why he’s been out on loan as many times as he has.
For one reason or another, that trust hasn’t really been there in him over the years.
But it ought to be now. Ronan deserves to be a part of Wolves’ 25-man Premier League squad this season.
Connor Ronan surely passed his pre-season audition for Wolves
Ultimately, Wolves should still be looking to sign a new central midfield option this summer.
But Ronan has surely done enough to be involved with the squad this season.
He’s 24 now, and his experiences out on loan have clearly done him the world of good. Especially the one last season, which saw him score eight goals and make five assists in 30 games.
He’s more mature, which has shone through in these pre-season games.
The Premier League is obviously a really tough competition, but Ronan might just have what it takes now to make an impact for Wolves.
With Lage having used a 4-3-3 in pre-season, that could be a system we see quite often.
If Lage is using three midfielders at a time, then he’ll need more options. Ronan is there and wouldn’t cost Wolves a penny.