Wolves still battling the odds but showing fight

There is hope at Molineux for the first time this season.

The second half of the season starts at Everton on Wednesday and there will be a different air to Rob Edwards' pre-match press conference.

It is the first time this season a Wolves manager has held one after a Premier League victory and, after four points from their past two games tripled their season's tally, there is optimism - however brief.

It would be the Premier League's greatest comeback but Wolves would need to win at least half of their remaining 18 games to even stand a chance so the expectation of relegation. externally at least, does not change.

Those outside of Compton had been resigned to relegation and it was all about how and when, not if, Wolves went down.

Edwards alluded to that last month, insisting they could not get relegated with a whimper and at least there is fight after the draw at Manchester United and Saturday's 3-0 win over West Ham.

There was of course spirit in performances at Aston Villa and Arsenal which deserved more than narrow defeats, but Wolves had to back them up with points.

There is still 12 points to make up to 17th-placed Nottingham Forest - and that will be extended if Forest win their crucial basement battle at the Hammers on Tuesday - so no-one expects miracles.

But any signs of recovery were so desperately needed and at Everton on Wednesday Wolves need to prove they can maintain their battle against the odds.