It's Deja-vu At Molineux

Stephen Hunt celebrates scoring the goal that keeps Wolves in the Premiership 2 years ago

So here we are again - with 2 games to go, Wolverhampton Wanderers find themselves in a fight for their life. After the debacle that was the final day of the 2010/11 season (when Wolves stayed up on goal difference despite losing 3-2 to Blackburn), we were promised we would "never be in this situation again" by none other than Chairman Steve Morgan.

Losing Ebanks-Blake to injury has hit Wolves hard

Well he was right there - we were never in that position again. Since that fateful day in May 2011, this club has lurched from one disaster to the next. Dropping out of the Premier League without so much as a whimper the following season was embarassing. Now this grand old club has just 2 games remaining to stop themselves falling into League One - and survival is not even in our hands, as regardless of our results we must rely on at least one other team slipping up. But where did it all go wrong? At the start of April, Wolves had just gone on a run of winning 4 games out of 5 and looked to be one of the favourites for survival. But as is often the case, as Wolves won, the sides around them did so too. The best Wolves found themselves was just 1 point clear of the drop zone - unbelieveable given their run of form. But then the injuries really took their toll - after losing Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to a broken leg in the win against Birmingham, they then had that followed up by losing improving midfielder David Davis for the season in the defeat at Bolton Wanderers.

Beating Hull 1-0 gave Wolves hope once again

Beating 2nd placed Hull City 1-0 in an impressive second-half display at Molineux has given Wolves some light, but it came in the middle of 2 crucial defeats against Huddersfield and Charlton that has seen Wolves slump right back into the bottom 3. That last-minute goal from Charlton's Jonathan Obika was a killer for Wolves in a game where they deserved what would've been a vital point, and it left the travelling fans feeling it may well prove to be the pivotal nail in the coffin. Anything other than a win against Burnley at Molineux this Saturday is unthinkable and would surely see Wolves relegated this season - particularly given that the final day trip is to bogey side Brighton, a match that has only seen Wolves return victorious in 1 of their last 10 visits there. Gus Poyet's men are in form too - they sit 4th having just beaten Blackpool 6-1 at the Amex Stadium.

Wolves just cannot defend, and it cost them crucially late on at Charlton

One of the few positives for Wolves fans going into these remaining games is the form of Stephen Hunt, who is again taking it upon himself to try and fire Wolves to safety - much like he did back in 2011. His return to form seems to have brought the best out in new skipper Kevin Doyle, who has rediscovered his scoring touch at just the right time. Bakary Sako is also back in contention after his hamstring injury, and even a half-fit Bakary Sako can still make a big impact to Wolves' survival hopes. The performances of youngsters Jack Robinson, Bjorn Sigurdarson and, in particular, Matt Doherty have also been a lift for the fans during what has been such a testing season. But despite the two full-backs standing out lately, it is defensively where Wolves have cost themselves - particularly when it comes to defending corners. Charlton's first goal on Saturday was the 3rd cheap goal conceded from a corner in the last 4 games and yet this is something that has not seemingly been dealt with by the coaching staff. For a team that have such ariel ability as Wolves, conceding soft goals from corners is simply unacceptable.

Jamie O'Hara is one of the first who must be got rid of

The feeling of dejection is an all-too familiar one around Molineux

But despite other teams winning when Wolves do, despite the injuries and despite the late goals, it will not be pure bad luck that sends Wolves down. The table does not lie and this group of players simply haven't been good enough, nor have they tried hard enough. They stabbed Solbakken in the back and contrived to get him the sack, and even under Dean Saunders a lot of the players haven't looked that bothered. It's as if most of them feel they are too good for the Championship and so they don't have to try. At least if Wolves are relegated to League One, it should see a lot of the deadwood at this club shipped out and the team can start afresh. But whichever division this club is in, this coming Summer needs to see a complete overhaul and major rebuilding.

Wolves have 2 games left to put up a fight for their Championship lives. They must also rely on Peterborough United and Huddersfield Town dropping points in their remaining 2 fixtures. It won't be easy, but then with Wolves it never is. 

Prediction: Wolves 3-1 Burnley