Palace relief - now we need Sheffield steel

Ten games to go, five points clear and a record of one win in one.

My, how that sounds better than a return of one win in 11!

Deride Mick McCarthy all you like for his often used comment about his lads "putting in an honest shift".

But it's clear that the effort and commitment coursing through the veins of his players is a big reason why Wolves went to south east London last night and, in appalling conditions, ended this horrible run.

This is a massive week for Wolves, and bouyed by victory at Selhurst Park, we all head to Hillsborough with renewed optimism.

We can argue about McCarthy's team selections since the turn of the year, and many of us have, but this depressing run has all been about a shocking lack of confidence.

And the boss was running out of post match options. There's a limit to the number of times us supporters can listen to our manager say: "We were hopeless." And that limit had been reached.

But confidence delivers calmness and control on the ball - and when Wolves take control, they take some beating in the Championship.

A key characteristic of a Wolves fan is to dwell on what's gone before, but now the emphasis has to be on the future.

Thanks to the equally pathetic results for Reading and Blues, we are in a wonderful position.

Wolves were losing games, but they never lost us matchday fans. And I was proud to be part of the South Bank that gave such a rousing burst of support in the second half against Plymouth.

So into the final lap - the last 10 games that will decide our destiny.

Trips to Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest, Blues, Derby and Barnsley - then Molineux dates with Ipswich, doomed Charlton, Southampton, QPR and Doncaster.

Predicting our points haul is clearly pointless, and the reality is that Wolves have still only won two games out of 12.

Now is the time for McCarthy to stick, come what may, with Sylvan and Big Chris upfront, providing he is fit, and I don't think Wolves will lose on their travels again this season. And we could certainly have five tougher home games.

A Wolves team that did what it did last night is a Wolves team worth backing in the final furlongs.