Mick McCarthy had all the answers after this latest Wolves wobble. But just like turning 50, he couldn’t do a thing about what had unfolded before him.

In an impassioned speech afterwards, the Molineux gaffer has warned his players they risk lifetime regret if they waste this opportunity to pass up achieving something special.

After one win in eight, he is entitled to paint a stark picture to a squad whose confidence has gradually become worn down by the errors that seem to plague them every time they run out on the pitch at the moment.

See our photo gallery here and read the full story in today’s Shropshire Star

The team, by and large, are playing well, even if they failed to force a single worthwhile stop from Coventry keeper Keiron Westwood until he saved Sylvan Ebanks-Blake’s last-gasp penalty.

Outside of Wolves’ wobble, their rivals for automatic promotion are doing their best to throw away their big chance to cash in as well.

Punters could be forgiven for thinking this is fast becoming the title no one wants to win.

The only goal Reading have scored in the last four games was by Wolves’ Neill Collins as they drew at home to Preston  – likewise Birmingham against Wolves’ opponents this Saturday, Burnley.

In fact, all of the Championship’s top six failed to win as the table bears an “as you were” look to it this weekend.

Few if any teams can match their energy, and with two-thirds of the season gone, certainly none can match their goal power.

One difference is that where perhaps they enjoyed the luck earlier on in the season, that fortune is suddenly deserting them.

How else do you explain Ebanks-Blake’s first penalty miss for the club in virtually the last kick of the game?

The feeling in the visitors’ dressing room was that Wolves should have left the Ricoh with at least a point.

But Coventry were just as tough opponents as they were at Molineux in October when they could and perhaps should have gleaned three points instead of losing 2-1.

And it was Wayne Hennessey who was the busier keeper, tipping Clinton Morrison’s rising effort wide after Leon McKenzie had grabbed what turned out to be the winner with 15 minutes to go.

That came just three minutes after substitute Sam Vokes had cancelled out Michael Doyle’s scrappy 24th minute opener with an excellent headed equaliser.

Vokes’ goal was his seventh of the season and fourth in six games and the 19-year-old has surely never had a better chance of starting this Saturday’s clash at Turf Moor, especially with Andy Keogh rested here and the recalled Chris Iwelumo extending his goalless run to 11 matches.

But that’s the least of Wolves’ worries at the moment.

The way Stearman – widely acknowledged as Wolves’ best defender until Berra’s arrival – was outmuscled and turned by Clinton Morrison for the first goal showed exactly why they’re having the defensive difficulties they are.

Hennessey too seemed tentative in making the brave challenge required at the feet of Morrison for the first goal then McKenzie for the second.

And just prior to the winner, McKenzie again finished woefully after the impressive on-loan Sunderland winger Jordan Henderson – who set up Sky Blues’ second goal – volleyed just wide with Wolves’ defence at sixes and sevens.

They need to cut out those mistakes – and fast.

By Tim Nash