Crisis? What crisis? Three defeats on the bounce, all against no hope teams had thrown the season into despair. This game suddenly had become a challenge and a must win game. For their part Preston came into the game without a defeat in 9 games including a TV away win at Derby. These are the games that Wolves seem to cherish and so it proved.

Bright fireworks and a booming Liquidator greeted the team (much like the opening game against Walsall) - did Jezzica want the crowd hyped up?

Wolves lined up in the players favourite 4-4-2, with Blake in for Ndah and Cooper in for Ingimarson.

The game started off very brightly for both teams, with Preston showing that they did not come here to defend like so many others. With just 1 minute gone Lescott gave away a foul and from the resulting free kick Murray had to make one of the many fine saves he was to do all night and turn the ball around for a corner. Wolves response was quick, when a good move, on 4 mins saw Sturridge put in a fine cross for Blake to head high into the south bank. An Ince snap shot on 12 mins, which almost caught out their keeper, being one of the many chances on offer - many more than the whole debacle of a game against Division one pretenders Reading.

The breakthrough and turning point came on 23 mins, when Rae gained possession of a ball in midfield that he had no reason to get (suddenly showing some determination - bill board, what bill board?) and sent Blake through -racing past a defender, before slotting the ball under their keeper, for his 5th of the season. Oh how that goal was needed, not only by the players, the fans but particularly Davey Jones.1-0

More neat play on 30 mins saw Blake feed Cooper, whose cross just couldn't reach Sturridge's out stretched leg. Wolves began to dominate in midfield, with a lot of hard work from Rae and Cooper, which unfortunately saw them both booked within quick succession. Another good sign was the fans reaction to Butler, who was being warmly applauded everytime he had the ball - a far cry from the despair of Saturday.

The first half ended on a high note, as Irwin (raced?) forward and delivered a fine low cross, which Sturridge deftly controlled with sublime skill, span and scooped the ball over the keeper. 2-0

HT Wolves 2, Preston 0

The second half started on an obvious high with Rae setting up Blake in a similar way to his goal, but he blazed it just wide, while Newton came alive on 55 mins but his cross came to nothing. Wolves were now playing with some confidence and actually looked like they were enjoying things, however as always seems to be the case they let their foot off the gas and allowed Preston back into it. Preston had several very good chances and only the athleticism of Murray in goal and some poor finishing kept the score line the same. Preston then made two substitutions with "Shabba" coming back to the golden temple. I then wondered whether yet another old gold would come back and haunt us. It now became a very open game with both teams creating and missing chances.

With 7 mins left Miller replaced Sturridge and almost immediately Wolves wrapped up the points. Cooper gathered the ball and then squared the ball across the box for Blake to slot home his 2nd and Wolves' 3rd 3-0. Then just 2 mins later with what seemed like his first touch, Miller collected the ball and -surrounded by defenders - powered home a goal in off the post 4-0. From what seemed like an uneasy time and a nervy last 10 mins suddenly it looked all too easy.

The scoreline flattered a little, but what the heck. Preston are by no means a pushover, so it must have been some wounded pride that forced this performance. There again, why should seasoned professionals needed geeing up like this? Overall it was a pleasing performance all round, with the midfield looking tigerish, Blake looking for the ball and an impressive game for Matt Murray (be afraid, be very afraid Oakesey). Well done and keep it up.

FT Wolves 4, Preston 0