We need pressure from fans, says Stale
Stale Solbakken today insisted Wolves' players must feel the pressure to meet the demands of playing for the club and admitted fans are right to be anxious.
Solbakken's side return to Molineux for the visit of Nottingham Forest on Saturday, then Millwall on Tuesday, seeking to end a seven-match winless run which has seen them drop from third to 16th in the Championship.
Solbakken believes Wolves have under-achieved by "five or six" points at home this season and, on the day the club's museum opened its doors, admits the players must meet expectations created by their illustrious predecessors.
"I'm trying to make sure I give the players their confidence and morale," said the Norwegian.
"I want to give them the joy and happiness of playing football. But if none of us felt under pressure then we'd be at the wrong club.
"This is Wolverhampton – there should be expectations."
Solbakken believes supporters are right to feel anxious but wants a repeat of the support seen in the last two games against Brighton and Watford when the team were reduced to 10 men.
"Hopefully the crowd will stay behind the players in these next two home games," he said.
"It's important to have the atmosphere from the Brighton game which helped the players to get back and take a point.
"I sense a lot of positivity. But in saying that, I'll mention again that I will never instruct even one fan not to say what they mean. They're entitled to express their concern.
"I'm very aware at the moment there are anxious fans out there because we're some points short of where we want to be.
"At the same time I'm quite sure I'm the right man to take this club forward – I'm very confident of that and I'm sure we can put it right.
"We've also been unlucky with decisions and injuries in vital areas. But that's football. Maybe we'll get the breaks over the season."
Wolves have lost 11 points at home from winning positions this season and Solbakken admits they should be far better off.
"At home, I sincerely believe we've deserved five or six points more," he said. "The only home game we lost – against Crystal Palace – we should have had three points. If we had those, we'd be in an OK position.
"What's important is the players have responded well and have shown in the last two games they really want to fight for the cause."
See also - Bridgnorth Wolves fan gets Wembley heroes to boost Severn Hospice charity
