Kevin Foley today surveyed Wolves’ Premier League position at the turn of the year and insisted: “We will stay up”.

Wolves go into 2010 in 16th place on 19 points from 20 games, just a point clear of the drop zone. Last night’s 2-2 draw between Bolton and Hull was probably the best result for Mick McCarthy’s side, who have to travel to both clubs in the second half of the season.

With just three points separating eight clubs from 12th-placed Stoke to second from bottom Hull, the Premier League has rarely been so tight.

But, with McCarthy’s men facing nine of their last 18 games against teams currently in the bottom half of the table, Foley is convinced Wolves are in good shape for the survival battle after three wins in the last six.

“Having played all the teams around us, I have 100 per cent belief we can stay up,” said Foley.

“We have some great characters in the dressing room and everyone wants to play for each other.

“The Premier League has been hard. Players are a lot stronger and a lot quicker, but we can be proud of the first half of the season and look forward to taking more points from the second half of the season.

“I think 19 points has been a good achievement particularly if you look at what we’ve done after the Birmingham defeat.

“Having had those wins since then means we can take some positives from them. But it’s so tight down there at the bottom and there are no runaway losers and at the top there are no runaway winners.

“Our goal is the same as it was in the Championship – to play in the Premier League next season.”

Despite going down 3-0 to Manchester City, Foley was stirred by Monday’s performance.

“The lads were brilliant on Monday night – especially first half. In the end City’s quality showed,” he said.

“I thought we had the best of play in the first half, but we didn’t get too many clear cut chances.”