When Wolves trio set Molineux alight before Crystal Palace and AFC Bournemouth came calling | OneFootball

Nouha Dicko, Benik Afobe and Bakary Sako formed a formidable trio for Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2015.

It is easy to forget just how integral the years under Kenny Jackett were for Wolves, with the club now a stable Premier League outfit.

However, following two successive relegations that saw the club in turmoil ahead of the 2013/14 League One campaign, Jackett's incredible work saw the club bounce back at the first time of asking. And there was one trio nurtured by Jackett that gave the Old Gold a chance of doing the impossible - two successive promotions following two successive relegations.

Before the Premier League and European names would set foot on the pitch at Molineux, there was Nouha Dicko, Benik Afobe and Bakary Sako who set the Championship alight together in the 2014/15 term, before Premier League moves came calling for two of the three.

A play-off charge inspired by an electric trio

Following Wolves' promotion back to the Championship in 2014, the Old Gold had begun life well back in the second tier. At the midway point of the campaign, Jackett's men were sitting in ninth place, with the play-offs far from out of the picture.

The key to their attacking threat was a dynamic front three that tore teams apart on the counter.

Sako, the powerful winger with a thunderous left foot, was already a fan favourite. As was Dicko, with his pace, power, awkward frame to defend, and ball-striking instincts.

Completing the trio was Benik Afobe, who signed from Arsenal in January 2015 after scoring 19 goals for MK Dons in the first half of the campaign. Looking like a seasoned goalscorer, he hit the ground running with 13 league goals in just 21 appearances, while strike partner Dicko added 14, and Sako netted 15 from the flanks.

Wolves ended the campaign with 78 points, a total that would have been enough for the top six in many other seasons, but cruelly missed out on the play-offs on goal difference.

Premier League clubs come calling

The summer of 2015 marked the beginning of the end for the trio. Sako departed on a free transfer to Crystal Palace, having earned his Premier League move after three outstanding seasons at Molineux.

Afobe began the 2015/16 season still with Wolves, but his form inevitably drew interest, and by January, he had joined Bournemouth in the top flight.

That season, however, was already on a downward curve. Dicko suffered a devastating ACL injury just four games into the campaign, ruling him out for the remainder of the season and robbing Wolves of a crucial weapon in attack.

Jackett's side would go on to finish 14th, a far cry from the optimism of the year before. However, the loss of key personnel and a lack of attacking fluidity left Wolves firmly in mid-table.

The magic trio laid down the foundations of what was to come

Though that Wolves side ultimately fell short of achieving back-to-back promotions, the trio of Dicko, Afobe and Sako remains fondly remembered for reigniting belief at Molineux.

They represented a turning point, with proof that Wolves could entertain and compete again after a period of turmoil.

Jackett's years laid the groundwork for the revolution that followed. The infrastructure was steadied, the squad rejuvenated, and the culture redefined. When Fosun's takeover came in 2016, Wolves were a stable club ready to compete again.

And while the likes of Ruben Neves, Diogo Jota and Raul Jimenez have since written their names into Wolves folklore, it is important not to forget the explosive trio that made fans dream again.