Introduction

Who would have thought it? After the first 23 games of the season - despite a recent run of poor results - Wolves are still doing much better than many people predicted. In fact, in terms of points this is the best start Wolves have ever had in the First Division since the Premiership was introduced. Could the elusive prize of joining England's elite League be finally on it's way?

When Wolves made it into the play-offs in seasons 94-95 and 96-97 they had 37 points and 36 points respectively. In season 01-02 we have amassed 42 points already. Chart 1 compares the mid-season points for this season with the last 5 seasons. In season 96-97 Wolves finished third and made it to a play-off place.

Wolves are third in Division 1 which is the best position we have been in at mid-season since the Premiership was formed. In the 96-97 season we were fifth at this point in the season. In the 94-95 season we were in fourth place. In both those season we ended the season in a play off place.

Chart 3 shows our mid-season league position in recent seasons.

The home and away form appears to show a more mixed picture. Although overall this season is our best mid-season position for over five years - neither our home or away points-per-game total is the highest.

After 23 games in the 96-97 season Wolves' away form was better (averaging over 2 points per game). However that season our home form was absolutely appalling (averaging just a point a game). Wolves home form this season is obviously a disappointment but it is still an improvement on last season, and is no where near as bad as the 96-97 season.

Chart 2 shows our home and away points-per-game totals in mid-season for recent years.

Although our inability to score goals is a perceived weakness, the stats show a more optimistic story. Not only do we have a much better goal difference than at any time since the premiership began, but we have also scored more goals at this point in the season since the 94-95 season.

Chart 4 shows goal difference and goals scored after 23 games for recent seasons.