Wolves blog: Put the pain aside

Of course it hurts; it always hurts when we lose to the Albion. But now is the time for fans to put that loss aside and try to remain positive for the 4 remaining fixtures, writes blogger Nathan Lloyd.

I applaud MM for trying to stay upbeat and say that the only difference in the game was that Albion took their chance and we didn't. Presumably this sound bite is an attempt to keep morale in the camp high for those remaining 4 games?

The reality however was that Mick must have been watching a different game, because Albion looked like champions elect and we unfortunately failed to match them in any department.

As impressive as Greening and Koren were, I thought Olofinjana and Gibson were equally as poor and off the pace. Jody Craddock put in one of the best performances from a Wolves player all season and he really was a one man defence, with Neill Collins again showing that this is probably a division too high for his abilities and I think the occasion got to Elokobi and Foley.

Michael Gray should be applauded for his genuine effort, but often looked like he was treading water and Jarvis on the other flank rarely found the room to use his pace and skill effectively.

Up front SEB was marshalled out of the game by the Albion rearguard and I thought Keogh played some decent stuff but lacked that killer edge which he needs to add to his game.

Although we could have nicked it at the end, it would have been unjust on an Albion side that, although it pains me to say it, thoroughly deserved to head back up the A41 with all 3 points.

Right that's enough about the stripy lot. Although I'm mature enough to admit we were outplayed, it's no fun to write it down and laud over their obvious qualities.

Four games to go and the reality is that we will probably need to win our 3 homes games and at least get a draw away to Coventry if we are to stand any chance of a play-off place. The battle begins against the Tractor Boys on Saturday. Although Ipswich have a formidable home record, they have only managed 3 wins out of 21 games on the road this season, one of the worst records in the division.

And with a weird quirk of fate, tomorrow the fixture list has thrown up the unlikely scenario of the 3rd placed team playing 4th, 5th playing 6th and of course 7th playing 8th.

Realistically only 6th place is left up for grabs and it's make or break tomorrow. Lose or even draw and our season is effectively done and dusted.

But lets see what happens over the next couple of games before we begin the inquisition and the dissection as to where this season has gone wrong and which players have failed to deliver.

On a lighter note, this weekend fans attending the Ipswich game will be asked to vote for their player of the season.

We are not exactly spoilt for choice are we? It could be Kightly, although he really hasn't played enough games. Michael Gray is an outside bet and Keogh will also be in the running. Although a real find, SEB has only been here since the January transfer window and I think you need to contribute over an entire season to be truly in the running.

That's why I think it will almost certainly be young Hennessey who will deservedly walk away with the crown at the end of the season. He's had a superb campaign and its great news that he has pledged his allegiance to the gold and black cause next season. He gets my vote, does he get yours?

I'm also looking forward to seeing Kightly return on Saturday. We don't have an abundance of players that really excite and get you on the edge of your seat, but Michael is one of them. I've no doubt that had he been fit all season, we would be comfortably higher up the league.

We need another patient and passionate crowd on Saturday. The Molineux roar was magnificent against the Albion. It understandably went quiet after it became apparent that we were being outplayed for large parts of the evening.

Whilst the top 6 is still achievable, fans need to believe and back a young team that will be smarting as much we all are from Tuesday night's loss.

Good luck to the lads tomorrow.