Wolves v Brighton - five talking points

Kenny Jackett's team also earned their first clean sheet of the season.

Wolves correspondent Tim Spiers picks out five talking points.

Wolves' wait for a clean sheet seemed to drag on longer than a Labour leadership contest - and it was also the far left that caused the most controversy here.

Left-back Scott Golbourne's oafish barging to the ground of Jamie Murphy saw Wolves concede their second needless penalty in two games.

But Emiliano Martinez's double save from the resulting spot kick set Kenny Jackett's team on the way to that elusive clean sheet, the first since April.

In a way the red card actually benefited Wolves, from a defensive point of view. Their remit suddenly became clear - it was backs-to-the-wall, two banks of four, nothing expansive.

Up to then Murphy had caused Ethan Ebanks-Landell and Kortney Hause big problems in the hole, with the two young centre halves unsure over whether to sit off him or get tight, but the closing of the gap between defence and midfield in the second half negated the problem.

Hause in particular grew as the game went on (a recurring theme for him this season) and outshone his more senior partner for the first time. For him this was a timely improvement, with Danny Batth's possible return to league action at Preston next weekend.

Like Hause, fellow England under-21 star Dominic Iorfa gave his best performance of the short season so far.

The hope is that defensive rearguard against the league leaders boosts the confidence of this young Wolves defence.

While the defence finally got it right, collectively the midfield did not.

Yet again there was a worrying lack of creativity, the continually impressive James Henry aside.

Sheyi Ojo was given a chance to impress but his resulting disappearing act would have made Lord Lucan proud.

Jackett persisted with Coady and David Edwards in midfield and while Coady swept up play in front of the back four in a solid performance before his sending off, Edwards, a couple of bursts forward in the first half aside, contributed little of note.

Coady, the shining star of pre-season and the first three matches of the regular season before a plateau in form, will be a loss, but he may benefit from his likely three-match ban.

And so too in the long run may Wolves, as his absence gives Kevin McDonald and/or Jack Price the opportunity to stake a claim for a central midfield berth, preferably alongside Coady when he returns with Edwards pushed further forward.

Jackett has used eight midfielders in the league so far - Edwards, Coady, Henry, McDonald, Ojo, Rajiv Van La Parra and now Nathan Byrne.

It is a real surprise that, taking into consideration some lacklustre performances in this area, Jack Price has still not become the ninth.

An ankle injury has set him back in the last week but it would be a boost to have Price's name on the team sheet at Middlesbrough on Tuesday.

As last season, his return could coincide with an upturn in the team's fortunes.

The fact Emiliano Martinez has been a clear man of the match for successive games, and Wolves have only picked up one point, doesn't say much for the way the team is performing.

But how welcome it will be for Jackett to finally possess a keeper in form.

Martinez was jittery, shaky and unsure of himself in his first few appearances.

Then at Bolton last week he made some splendid saves, and here against Brighton he grabbed the headlines with a penalty save.

Martinez didn't actually have to extend his fingertips to pull off any 'worldie' saves during Brighton's second half dominance, such was the sturdy nature of the defence in front of him.

It was more the commandment of his penalty box which impressed.

He was alert to every danger in his path, snuffing out a dangerous Rosenior cut back in the first half and then slapping the ball behind for a corner when Edwards' header looped into the air late on.

It's all very hard on Carl Ikeme, of course, who returned from gaining national hero status with Nigeria to find himself on the bench - which unfortunately for him is where he's likely to remain, in the league at least.

But for Wolves the most important thing is they have a keeper showing authority - and not making mistakes.

Is it just me, or does it feel like Wolves are playing with the handbrake on?

While the Brighton point was welcome, given the circumstances, you can't escape the fact Wolves only had one shot on target at home.

Resilience, doggedness, work ethic and determination are welcome qualities that Wolves clearly possess, but they also need creativity, imagination and ruthlessness.

If not, they will continue to struggle to get near the levels of last season.

They look a long way off at the moment, even if the potential is undoubtedly there.

With important players out of form, Tuesday's unattractive trip to Middlesbrough takes on added importance.

The likes of McDonald, Price, Jed Wallace and even Sylvain Deslandes, if played, could make a case for inclusion at Preston next Saturday.

Coady's suspension means his place his available and you have to say Ojo and Golbourne's spots in the team are under threat too.

Bright Enobakhare and Rajiv van La Parra will also be keen to impress, while Jackett could stick Iorfa at centre half to see how he does.

It's a free hit, a competitive game which carries with it no expectations.

If Jackett uses it wisely he may come closer to finding that elusive winning formula.

This was Wolves' only home fixture in a five week spell. It's been three weeks since they hosted Charlton and it'll be another two before Huddersfield come to town.

Not only was it a rare home game, it was also a game against the league leaders.

Ingredients for a bumper crowd, perhaps, or at least one higher than the opening three games of the season, but the attendance of 20,382 was worryingly low.

Jez Moxey insisted last week he wasn't concerned about attendances. He should be.

As Jackett alluded to so frankly in his Fans Parliament Q&A, there is a lull around the club.

There are many reasons behind that lull, but the only way it will be lifted is with exciting attacking football and, most of all, victories.