Hunger from the Wolves is key
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy admits Wolves might be "hungrier" if they are knocked off the top of the Championship.
Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Burnley and Birmingham's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest cut the lead at the top to three points.
Birmingham, who moved up to second with Reading not playing, also have a game in hand while the third-placed Royals have two. In-form Cardiff in fourth – Wolves' next opponents on Sunday – have four.
Wolves have been top virtually ever since the landmark 5-1 thrashing of Forest on August 30. But after one win in their last nine and with opponents upping their game against them, Wolves are beginning to look like they are feeling the heat.
McCarthy said: "The hunger and desire has always been there and maybe it might be there that little bit more if we get knocked off the top spot.
"We've been up there to be shot at, but I think that will change now if we get knocked off. We might be chasing somebody else, and, if that's the case, that gives us a different perspective."
The manager also defended the trip to La Manga, where the squad flew to yesterday for a four-day trip of team-bonding, training and relaxation.
He said: "It might be viewed as negative by some people thinking we're going away for a jolly but that's not the case.
"If we were going away on the back of a win everyone would say "great, you deserve it, fantastic. "
"Now it will be the completely opposite sentiments I'm sure."
The Molineux chief insists the players deserve the chance of a few days in the sunshine.
He said: "We've got a young squad and to go away and have a bit of downtime and relax as well as do a bit of training should galvanise the team spirit."
