Matt Murray, WhatHouse.co.uk's club ambassador as we sponsor Wolverhampton Wanderers FC this season, gives us his weekly opinion on what's been happening at Molineux - and beyond...
The emotional tributes paid to Dave Wagstaffe at Molineux were typical of Wolves; so aware of its greats and their part in the club's history.
The tributes appeared to inspire the new crop of players, with an outstanding, attacking performance a fitting mark of respect to ‘Waggy' the entertainer, who I was privileged to meet several times - a legend and character on and off the field.
Maybe there was something in the air last Saturday. The Molineux faithful have waited a long time for a display like that and their incredible loyalty was rewarded.
Before the match Steve Bull, our greatest-ever centre forward, spoke of his admiration for the latest player to wear his number nine shirt and that what impressed him about Scotland striker Leigh Griffiths was not just his nose for goal, but the hard-nosed attitude on the pitch - not imposing in height or bulk, but quick and confident with a big heart and big work-rate. His two-year contract is already looking very good business.
Griffiths may be 300 odd goals behind Bully in the Wolves goal-scoring charts, but what a home league debut and clearly, as the chants testified, a fans' favourite already.
‘Natural goal-scorer' may be a cliché, but this lad is clearly a natural, knowing where the goal is and striking his first instinctively before the Gillingham keeper was set and clinically tucking away the penalty for his second, while one volley was only kept out by a fine save.
It would be great to see Griffiths run out for Scotland against England at Wembley tonight; proof, as Bully showed, that you did not have to be playing in the top league to win international recognition.
Griffiths also seemed to galvanise Kevin Doyle, while Bakary Sako was clearly enjoying himself too. Who knows where their futures lie, but Doyle and Sako know the best shop window is to perform well for Wolves.
You have to give credit to head coach Kenny Jackett. He gave the team the freedom to express themselves. He wanted width, pace, movement, energy and attitude and he got them.
Wolves could have had a hatful against admittedly a poor Gillingham defence and, just as importantly, the outstanding Wolves back-four kept a clean sheet.
David Davis is really growing as a midfield general, using the ball well and breaking up play when he didn't have it, while what a young prospect Lee Evans is alongside him and he'll be buzzing from his goal on his competitive home debut.
The Wolves fans truly are amazing. Nearly 5000 away to Preston North End in the opening league game and then more than 19,000 at Molineux. Kick-off for a League One fixture delayed by 10 minutes because of crowd congestion!
Supporters would have woken up on Saturday morning still hurt from the last two seasons, but as the Molineux banner said: "This is our love and it knows no division", and so they turned up in their thousands once more.
Let's make Molineux an intimidating fortress. It may only be League One, but there are Championship players very keen on joining what could be the re-birth of a great club, with promotion this season paramount.
The expectation level has been set high. While it was great to see the young players handle the pressure, let's not get carried away. We won't win 4-0 every week and defences will do their homework on Griffiths and try to nullify his threat. The focus now shifts to Bristol to maintain the momentum.
It was a great Molineux afternoon on Saturday; an emotional one as we remembered one of our best. The applause for Waggy and the lovely gesture with captain Sam Ricketts laying a number 11 shirt behind the goal was followed by applause for the energy, attitude and ability of the team on the pitch. Waggy would have applauded too.
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The Premier League kicks off this weekend and it will be interesting to see how the Midlands clubs fare. I may be Wolves through and through, but I always like to see the local teams do well. Let's hope we're back in the top flight with West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa soon.
The Baggies started so well last season. I anticipate a mid-table finish, rather than a relegation fight. Steve Clarke is an excellent manager, who turns out well-organised sides. It will be fascinating to see if he can bring the best out of new signing Nicolas Anelka, who he worked with at Chelsea and he needs to find some goals after losing Romelu Lukaku. I tip West Brom for a good Cup run.
Baggies fans are not going to thank me for saying this, but I am going to stick my neck out - and I don't have much neck to stick out anyway - and say that Aston Villa will finish above West Brom in the Premier League this season - just.
I think Villa's talented young players will kick on this season and manager Paul Lambert will continue to impose his style of play on the team. Villa have done well to hold onto their big Belgian striker Christian Benteke and there is plenty of attacking threat, but the defence needs to hold firm. Another cracking Premier League season is in prospect.