Now we’ve limped past the 50 point mark, will Nigel Clough’s men relax and play football - or will they just give up and go on holiday?

We should find out today. Wolves are one of the form teams of the league and barring slip ups, should be a Premier League team next season. 80 points from 42 games and a 3-0 demolition of Southampton last game out - confidence should be restored at Molineux after the defeat at Birmingham.

Wolves’ manager Mick McCarthy was philosophical;

"It's three points. It means I can enjoy a bottle of beer tonight and watch everybody else. For today, for this evening, it's taken the pressure off me and my players and it's heaped it somewhere else - whoever fancies it they can have it. It could have been really over and done with in the first half. We broke on a number of times but we weren't really clinical."

McCarthy will be without his leading scorers Sylvan Eubanks-Blake and Chris Iwelumo however midfielder Matt Jarvis played for an hour against Southampton and may start.

Wolves Facts

The 50 point target may mean safety in the eyes of most pundits and fans - but Nigel Clough and his team don’t see it that way. Speaking after the game, Gary Crosby said;

"Psychologically it is definitely a big boost to get over the 50-point mark. Obviously we are not safe but it is good to get over that barrier. We aren't setting ourselves any targets as far as points go, just to get to a point where we mathematically can't go down."

While the result was right at Hillsborough, many reports suggest that the game itself was a turgid end of season affair littered with mistakes and highlighting the shortcomings of both teams.

Nigel Clough’s squad is stretched thin and Robbie Savage - orchestrator of much of the improvement in recent weeks, was rested. He may return today although Clough may not have the luxury of resting other players like Hulse who clearly needs a rest. He may make 20 goals in a season and it will be worth the season ticket renewal just to see another 20 a season goalscorer.

Lewin Nyatanga may be doubtful for the Rams following his substitution .

Mick’s team Bywater, Connolly, Todd, Albrechtsen, McEveley, Savage, Pearson, Eustace, Teale, Commons, Hulse.

What the bookies think …

Wolves are favourites at 7/5 while the Rams are at 19/10. The draw is at 23/10.

Marlon Harewood and Rob Hulse are at 7/4 to score while you can get 40/1 on a Hulse hat-trick to complete his 20.

Information for travelling fan

Driving: Wolverhampton to Derby is 41 miles. Take the A38 North and follow the signs to the parking areas below…

Parking: It used to be at the old Wilmorten College site however that is now a housing estate so away fans should park at Catalyst on London Rd opposite the Navigation pub. It’s about 10-15 minutes from the ground. Don’t be tempted to park at Pride Park shopping centre unless you fancy being clamped. You can also park for a £5 at the hospital further up London Rd near the hospital and the Railway station. Another alternative is to pass the exit for Pride Park on Brian Clough Way and head for Pentagon Island. Take the first exit and turn left and after a few hundred yards you will come to The Cattle Market Car Park. It’s about 10 minutes walk to the ground from here.

If you come by train, the locale around the station is fairly inviting. The Crown and Cushion at the junction of London Rd always seems to be full of away supporters. The Brunswick is a must for any real ale fans and the Alexandra next door is my personal favourite. Fans tend to mingle in these pubs and as long as you’re not being aggressive, the atmosphere is good. The Waterfall opposite the station is okay as well. If you are driving, the Navigation Pub on London Rd opposite the parking area is your best bet. Around the ground there's a Frankie & Bennie's, Harvester and the Pride Park but these tend to be very busy.

Mick's prediction

Another tough game and one that very few will expect the Rams to take anything from. Paradoxically, those are often our best games.

Photo: Action Images

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