Patience is the key for Wolves old boy Joleon Lescott

Nuno Espirito Santo’s team are four points clear at the top of the Championship and hope to extend that lead at Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night.

Lescott was part of the team that won promotion via the play-offs in 2003, but a year earlier Wolves blew a 10-point lead and missed out on promotion to fierce rivals Albion.

The former central defender said that patience would be important if Wolves are to avoid any kind of repeat. “It wasn’t so much pressure (in 2002), it’s a hard division and when you’re at the top everyone wants to beat you,” Lescott said.

“Patience will be important, everyone’s looking at them as being the best team in the league but they’ll go through a rough patch at some point and it’s about sticking together and having that belief.

“I haven’t seen much of them but they’re absolutely flying and by all accounts playing some fantastic football.

“They have brought in some quality players who’ve adapted really quickly to the league. I’m not sure people knew what to expect in the summer but the manager has brought it all together.”

Lescott remembers his seven seasons at Molineux – after coming through the academy – with fondness and knows what a crucial role the fans can play in helping Wolves stay top.

“They’re the 12th man and they can make a big difference,” Lescott, who is now working at Manchester City in a mentoring role for the club’s youngsters, said.

“They’re a great bunch of fans and I remember my time at Wolves really fondly, it’s a brilliant club.

“I’ll never forget that play-off final and the celebrations afterwards, I can remember that night in town and the whole place was buzzing. Obviously I was gutted to miss out the following season (through injury) but overall I’ve only got great memories of the place and it’s really good to see them doing well.”

Meanwhile, Sheffield Wednesday’s under-pressure boss Carlos Carvalhal will watch Friday’s game at Hillsborough from the stands after being handed a touchline ban after being dismissed from the touchline against Hull City last month.