Wolves blog: One third of the season left to go

After six of the nine months of the season, and 30 of the 46 games, Wolves are sitting pretty on top of the Championship with a twelve-point cushion over third placed Aston Villa, writes Wolves blogger Tom Tracey.

Fears of a crisis have been replaced with burgeoning confidence – and the way Wolves dispatched Sheffield United was fantastic.

Wolves’ first two goals were easily among the most special we have scored this season.

Words can barely describe Ruben Neves’ curled finish in off the post after just five minutes – we are certainly being spoiled for style this season.

The flowing move for Diogo Jota’s goal, compounded by a superb one-two when surrounded by defenders, was just as sensational in a different style.

There was a time when it felt like Wolves’ media team were forced to include penalties and even own goals in ‘goal of the month’ votes – now there is an absolute wealth to choose from month after month.

Anything Wolves’ rivals are doing at the moment, Wolves are matching and keeping them at arms’ length.

Nobody other than Fulham, with 51, is anywhere near Wolves’ 54 goals scored, whilst only second-placed Derby come close (with 23) to Wolves’ 22 goals conceded in 30 games.

Wolves have beaten every league team that has stood in their way so far this season at least once, with the exception of three teams.

Even record-holders Reading didn’t manage to beat either of Watford or Leeds in either tie during their 106-point haul in 2005/06.

If Wolves go and win at Cardiff, who they lost to 2-1 in August, and Sunderland, who they drew 0-0 with in December they will have beaten each of the 23 league rivals at least once this season – as long as they also beat QPR this weekend.

Their London opponents scored a late winner against Wolves back in October, keeping Sheffield United at the top of the league.

The only real difference between then and now defence that day was Batth, Coady and Miranda – which has become even stronger with the inclusion of Willy Boly and Ryan Bennett.

While Boly oozes class and appears almost blasé at at times, understated Bennett has started 20 games for Wolves – in which the team have kept a remarkable 16 clean sheets.

He waited calmly for his chance, not breaking into the starting league team until Burton away at the end of September, before waiting another month until Norwich away when he began his sustained run in the team.

But he is one of Wolves’ unsung heroes and is a very safe pair of hands – not bad for a free transfer many of us thought would just be making up the numbers.

With the likes of Benik Afobe and Leo Bonatini as current options for the bench, there’s really not much to grumble about!