We’re 11 games into the Championship season now and Wolves can’t afford to keep on dropping points – particularly at home.

After the victory at Burnley eight days ago, we had successive three games at Molineux, all against teams in the lower reaches of the division, all of which looked winnable. One of them has now gone, with a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth in midweek.

 

A bit like the Burnley game, we looked a little bit hesitant and we lacked real purpose to go ahead and really seize the game by the scruff of the neck.

 

In both games, the players lacked a bit of conviction. Burnley was a real game of two halves and, after going behind, we looked much better in the second period and got the winner. Against Pompey, I felt it was like a chess match – neither side really looked like they were prepared to really go for it and grab the three points.

 

I did think Cesar Peixoto did well with his substitutions against Portsmouth though, they were positive and made a difference – but to let in a late equaliser was a bit of a sickener.

 

Jordan James in particular looked good and got the goal and I thought Tommy Doyle did well when he came on as well.

They both have bags of Championship experience and I would have them in my starting side.

 

Talking of which, I would like to see us have a more settled starting XI – we are nearly a dozen games in now and Cesar should know his most reliable players. It’s good for the players too to know they won’t be chopped and changed every week.

 

We come up against Watford this afternoon and Cardiff next Saturday and the fans will want to see a better performance against both, or they could get a bit restless. We can’t afford the gap to the top two to get much wider.

 

Last, but certainly not least, I hope our former manager and Watford great, the late Kenny Jackett, is paid a wonderful tribute this afternoon.

He did wonders for this club when we were at a really low ebb and was a lovely man.

 

It will be nice for his family so see in how high a regard he was held by both sets of supporters.

These next eight matches are going to be massive for Wolves in terms of setting up the season.

 

After a long international break, we are back into it on Saturday with a trip to Middlesbrough and a meeting with another team who will expect to be right up there challenging for promotion.

 

I have been in football for nearly 40 years and more than any other break I can remember, this one feels like it has dragged on a bit.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I love watching England play, particularly when they perform as well as they have in the last couple of matches. I thought Thomas Tuchel’s team were terrific against Croatia and the Czech Republic.

 

But that win over Albion is starting to feel quite a long time ago and I am now looking forward to watching Wolves in action again.

 

It is such a long season and in truth just seven matches in, we have barely begun.

 

I always feel you need at least 10 games before things start settling down and you get an idea of where things are heading.

 

That’s why this next block of matches before the next international break is so important. Wolves showed us enough in the first few weeks to suggest they are capable of challenging for promotion. Now they can further strengthen that conviction. If we can get something at Boro, it will set things up nicely for the matches to come.

 

Cesar Peixoto has done very well so far, particularly considering the situation he walked into in the summer.

 

There was plenty which needed sorting out but he’s gone about things with the minimum of fuss and the team feels in a good place.

 

On a personal level, he’ll have learned plenty from the first couple of months. He’ll feel more comfortable and confident and that should seep through to the team. Wolves should only get better.

 

The key is staying close as possible to the top of the table. It’s such a long season and things aren’t going to go your way all of the time.

 

Hopefully Wolves can pick up where they left off against the Baggies and kick on from there.

 

The international break has come at the wrong time for Wolves.

They are in a rich vein of form, high on confidence after their Black Country derby victory and beginning to find their feet in the Championship.

It would have been cruel had they suffered defeat to West Brom because Wolves were the better side from the first whistle to the last.

The atmosphere at Molineux was brilliant. The supporters almost pushed the team over the line themselves, and Wolves responded by taking the game to Albion and making their neighbours look ordinary.

There were some excellent individual performances, too.

Andre dominated midfield, while Toti returned to the side and was outstanding at the back. Adam Armstrong also led the line well. It was a good all-round performance.

They embraced the occasion. I have to admit, before the game I wondered whether they would fully understand what the Black Country derby means. There are not many local lads in that Wolves team, after all.

But Cesar Peixoto clearly made sure they knew.

Fer Lopez provided the decisive moment, and he has been unbelievable so far this season. He has taken on the mantle of Matheus Cunha in that number 10 role, giving Wolves somebody who can roam across the pitch and cause problems wherever he appears.

Everything seems to go through him at the moment. He pops up in the unlikeliest places, gets on the ball and makes things happen.

His goal was another example of that, but it also came from the relentless pressing Wolves applied throughout the game.

That is something Peixoto will want to see every week, not just against Albion.

If you press teams aggressively, you are going to force mistakes. That is exactly what happened with the winner.

It takes a huge amount of hard work to maintain that intensity, but I think Peixoto is drilling that into his players: give everything you have got while you are on the pitch.

Wolves are now in a very good position. If you had told me before the season started that they would be three points off the top with a game in hand heading into the international break, I would have taken it.

But I wish this break had not come. When a team is struggling, an international break can give you time to regroup and reset. But Wolves are flying.

They are building momentum, confidence is high and they are starting to find their feet. You do not want to stop that.

Hopefully the players who remain at home will get some minutes in behind-closed-doors games, while those away on international duty return fit and ready to go again.

If they do, Wolves should come back with a strong squad and plenty of belief.

 

The nerves are building ahead of the big derby – and Wolves will have to do it without their star striker Raul Jimenez. Let’s just hope they can deliver.

Raul will be absolutely gutted. I know a lot of fans are asking why he was played at Everton, but I have always said you can get injured falling off the kerb or anywhere in the house.

As a player, you want to play every single game. So, for me, it was the right decision to play Raul, all day long.

A lot of people might think, ‘What is Bully on about?’ But all I ever wanted to do was play every game and score goals.

You cannot knock Raul for that. He will probably have been knocking on Cesar Peixoto’s door, saying he wants more minutes and wants to get fitter and fitter.

It is very unfortunate. Raul will be champing at the bit on the sidelines, thinking, ‘I wish I could be out there.’

I think it will be Adam Armstrong to lead the line, and he will be determined to get on the scoresheet.

I am a bit nervous about the big game because there is so much hype around it. All we want is to win it for the fans.

I just hope it is a proper derby – goals, good football and plenty for the supporters to cheer about.

We have been in and out of form and probably have not hit our peak yet. West Brom are finding their form, too, so they will come into the game with plenty of confidence.

But a derby is totally different. You have got to roll your sleeves up, give it everything and make sure that 12th man behind you is involved.

If I was in that dressing room beforehand, I would tell the players to give 100 per cent. That is all the fans want to see. Give it your best shot and try to get these supporters the three points they have been waiting for.

I do not shout from the rooftops before a game. I would rather do that when it is done.

But you will not want to speak to me if we lose, because I will be sad and downhearted. Hopefully, though, I will be absolutely elated.

To the fans – come and enjoy the game, behave yourselves and cheer your team on!

It will be a brilliant atmosphere, no doubt. Have a laugh, have a joke about it, and take it on the chin whether you win or lose.

Wolves have got to sort out their defensive issues and it may need rectifying in the transfer window.

I said before the Blackburn game that we look vulnerable at the back and it’s showing at the moment.

 

Going forward I back us to score plenty of goals, but we look shaky at the back and it’s very frustrating. If I was a striker against our defence, I would relish it and get chances.

 

The injuries to Kieran Trippier and Yerson Mosquera are a blow and we now have to strengthen our squad at the back.

 

Jordan James is a great addition to the squad in midfield. He is a good signing and I think he will have a great partnership with Andre, but we do need to make some signings in defence.

 

We made basic errors against Blackburn. Mark the man, not the space, when the ball is coming in – but we stood still, watched a man run in front and conceded the first goal too easily.

 

It was a schoolboy error and we have to learn. The Championship is not easy.

 

We have some time left in the transfer window and we need action. It’s a very tough league and the players are adapting, but they should be more ready than what I’m seeing and we have to cut out the basic mistakes.

 

It is so frustrating watching these simple errors and how avoidable they are.

 

I think we have enough in the side to get goals this season, I’ve been in football 40 years and I can see it, but I am worried about the back four.

 

Looking at today’s game, Preston will be organised and hard to beat, so we cannot afford to go behind in this game, but I do think going away from home will be good for the players.

 

There will be less pressure than facing the home crowd at Molineux, they may be able to relax a bit more and carry out the game plan.

 

But it will still be tough, they are a decent side who will want to make it difficult for us.

 

We have to lay down a marker, pick up three points and move towards seven points from the first nine, which I think would be a good return.

 

Finally, I want to wish Wolves correspondent Liam Keen well as he leaves the Express & Star after eight successful years.

Being under the lights at Molineux tonight will play a big part. I used to love playing at night, giving it 100 per cent, and these players will be buzzing.

I know the fans will be loud from the very first kick and it’s up to the players to give Wolves a strong start, which is essential.

Looking at our first three league games in August, I think we have a really good opportunity and if we can get at least seven points from them, it will really make a statement.

We made a solid start against Port Vale in the Carabao Cup last week too – I thought it was a very good performance.

Going forward we look very dangerous in every attack, but we do look a bit vulnerable in defence and we need to tighten that up.

We have the makings of a good side and I was pleased with the overall performance, but we do have to be careful at the back.

The players should know their jobs by now and cannot afford to be sloppy. The manager can improve it and I’m not massively concerned, although we do have to be better in that department.

I was really pleased to see two of our three goals come from forwards as it’s so important for goalscorers to have a good start.

I do think Fer Lopez will have a big role this season as the number 10 because he’s so talented. Cesar Peixoto is playing him to his strengths and he could easily chip in with at least 10 goals this season.

Adam Armstrong is also a natural goalscorer and knows how to find the back of the net in the Championship.

We have Raul Jimenez to come in too and if either of those strikers have Lopez behind them, then we can score a lot of goals this season.

Cesar Peixoto expects Mateus Mane to stay at Wolves this summer and he could have a big season.

I hope he hits the ground running because he’s a very talented and exciting player.

Peixoto is still shaping what his Wolves side will look like – and waiting for World Cup players has slowed it down – but Mane has looked sharp in pre-season so far.

Mane has said he will “smash it” in the Championship and that confidence is great, but he needs to follow those words up with action and prove to everyone just how good he is.

Who knows, maybe he will move on from Wolves in years to come, but he has to perform now and produce the goods.

I like him on the left flank but to his credit, he can play anywhere he wants.

He’s one of these players that can make space, find the ball and find his team-mates. The only thing that lets him down is his inexperience, but that will come with time and I believe he can be a top quality player.

Mane and the rest of the players will also find it easier in pre-season because Peixoto’s style is very clear.

It’s obvious what he wants his Wolves team to be like and that means the players will know their positions well.

If he changed the formation every week, or adjusted the style, then it’s harder for the players. He has to stick to his tactics and way of playing.

I think we can get out of the league by doing this, but the Championship is very tough and he’ll have a difficult time.

However, the fixtures are favourable at the start of the season and we all know how important a good start is – because we’ve seen a bad start impact Wolves in the Premier League.

It’s an ideal chance to get nine points on the board in August – although those teams will put up a fight – but we need to take our chance to get some early momentum.

We do need some more players, however, and there is quite a bit of work to do on the squad.

I know they will be looking at players, but I’d rather it get done sooner rather than later.