Wolves blog: It’s the fans, not the team, who need a rest

However, it is probably the fans who are more deserving of a break after a frustrating season...writes Wolves blogger Tom Tracey.

Wolves’ final away game saw them slump to a 3-1 loss at Derby, who were obviously a better team with game-winning quality in the middle and final thirds.

All in all, Wolves’ away record has been favourable this season and Wolves are still the sixth best away team in the league, but three teams could overtake them in their final game – Barnsley, Reading and Leeds.

To take 30 points away from home is not a bad haul, with the five teams with better away records all in the top six of the league.

There have been many memorably away days this season. The 3-1 win at Birmingham when Walter Zenga bowed down to the Wolves supporters after the game, an unlikely 2-0 win away at Newcastle and successive away wins in London, at Brentford and Fulham.

The most notable away games have come in the FA Cup, with a third-round shock away at Stoke being trumped by the result of the season, a 2-1 away win at Liverpool’s Anfield.

At home however, there have been few moments of enjoyment over 22 league games.

Wolves have amassed just 25 points from their 22 home games, winning seven and losing eleven. Only 24 home goals have been scored.

Wolves are the 22nd best home team in the league – if they lose to Preston and Wigan beat Leeds on Sunday, they will drop to 23rd where they have been for a long portion of the season.

Luckily for Wolves, compared to Wigan and Rotherham, their away form has meant relegation has been fought off with a number of games to spare.

Exciting games have been few and far between at home this season, with many teams content to sit deep in the knowledge Wolves have no potency to break them down.

The 4-4 draw with Fulham was exhilarating and in the 2-0 loss to Chelsea the team showed great spirit which was welcomed by the fans.

But questions are raised as to whether Wolves will reach their 16,500 season ticket sale target after offering a less than entertaining season at Molineux.

Wolves have the eighth highest attendance record in the Championship this season with more than 21,000, but are a long way off the teams just above them.

Norwich, who have the seventh best record, are averaging more than 26,000 each game.

It is worth noting this is a figure based on tickets sold rather than actual attendees – in some games at Molineux this season, the announced figure has seemed way off the amount of people inside the stadium.

Fans can only generate proper atmosphere if they receive inspiration from on the pitch, so Molineux has been a largely subdued place for most of the season.

However, the fans have struck up a decent atmosphere on occasion and this shows that if Wolves can play exciting football, the stadium will reciprocate with volume and support.

But many will be looking forward to a break from Molineux after this weekend (unless you are going to the U23 playoff!) with the hope of coming back refreshed to a revitalised Wolves team.