Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has warned the rest of the survival pack – “We’re loving it and we can get better.”

McCarthy’s side produced their best performance as a Premier League club in their 3-1 win at West Ham on Tuesday night to move seven points clear of the drop zone.

That victory made it seven points from nine, but Wolves have played well in virtually every one of the 10 games since switching to 4-5-1 before today’s clash with Everton.

And McCarthy insists his players are starting to enjoy their football, rather than endure the slog, which was the case the last time the club were in the top flight in 2003-04 and were relegated.

“I thought we played with a great deal of freedom and flair at Burnley and I don’t think that has come with results,” said the boss.

“Even when we came under real pressure at Villa early on, we still played well.

“I hope we can get more points and play better.

“They enjoyed the performances against Manchester United and Chelsea but, unless you get something, it taints it slightly.

“When you start picking up points, you enjoy it far more.

“The level of performance against Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man United was similar.

“There has been a good feeling throughout but winning matches makes you feel better and helps self confidence.

“Self-confidence and belief are wonderful things. We just keep it low-key.”

McCarthy believes rare goals for players such as Ronald Zubar at Upton Park have highlighted the good he has been seeing for some time.

“The players have been doing great but when goals go in, everyone sees things differently and everything is rosier,” he said.

“People start noticing things that have maybe been there all season.”

But he revealed he has had to rescue some players from themselves after resting Stephen Ward and Adlene Guedioura in midweek for George Elokobi and Michael Mancienne.

“Wardy had played a lot of football,” he said. “He looked a bit ‘leggy’ in the second half against Villa.

“Elokobi was excellent when he came on there.

“I just freshened it up as I knew West Ham would have two flying wingers in Behrami and Alessandro Diamanti or Junior Stanislas, who came on.

“Wardy was disappointed, but I’m sure Adlene was as well.”