Wolves' Richard Stearman: We were real men

The 2-1 victory over QPR was Wolves' first since they beat Brentford on September 24 and pulled them clear of the relegation zone before this weekend's games.

Ahead of the win David Edwards had called for his team mates to stand up and be counted.

And Stearman said: "We were real men out there, we showed some real leadership and we stood up to the challenge where maybe we might have conceded in weeks gone by.

"We really stood up to the test. We made it quite difficult for ourselves at the end but that's typical of how we are as a club!

"We definitely should have been a few more goals ahead but credit to their keeper, he's pulled off some great saves and kept them in the game.

"They were always going to get a chance from a set piece and they were launching it in the box.

"We're delighted with the three points and hopefully that moves us up the table a bit further.

"Historically we've struggled in November and that's been the case again.

"We're obviously down the wrong end of the table. It was paramount we be real men out there, get the job done and get three points and get the club moving forward again."

Goals from Edwards and Helder Costa won the game for Wolves but they missed a host of chances when 2-0 up.

Stearman admitted the win should have been more comfortable – but he still relished the backs-to-the-wall defending in those agonising nine minutes of injury time.

The 29-year-old, who has played the last two games after frozen out for two months, also believes that positives strides are being made under new boss Paul Lambert.

"I love games like that where I'm needed and I'm chucking myself at everything, headers, blocking shots," he added. "I've missed that feeling and I really enjoyed being out there and helping the boys.

"The boys are a bit disappointed they haven't scored three, four, five or six. We've worked the ball into positions where we've managed to create chances.

"We've made it uncomfortable for ourselves unnecessarily at the end through not finishing the game off.

"If you watched us on a daily basis (in training) you'd see the changes under the new gaffer. One of his main things is work rate. We've trained very hard since he's come in and you see that out there, the leg work we've put in, we're moving the ball, we're stronger defensively, which hopefully will stand us in good stead going forward."

"The mood around the place has still been really positive. We know in the dressing room what we're capable of. We've possibly not quite clicked, but at QPR we showed signs. We moved the ball well and created chances – we were an attacking threat.

"We've picked up a draw and a win since he's been here and it's crucial that we build on this. We'll watch the results come in at the weekend and look ahead to our next game."

Stearman played just twice under Walter Zenga after re-joining Wolves on loan from Fulham on transfer deadline day. He was then left out of the side before being recalled by Lambert for the Sheffield Wednesday game.

Unfortunately the centre half will now miss next Saturday's clash versus his parent club at Molineux. But he's been glad to have contributed again.

"It's been a tough few months for me," Stearman said. "I didn't come back here to sit on the bench – I want to play games, I want to represent the club that I love. That's the reason I came back.

"I've waited patiently, I've trained hard and supported the boys. I knew I'd get a chance at some point. It was up to me to perform when I got the chance and grab the shirt with both hands.

"Hopefully I've done that in the last couple of games. Being out the side is what no footballer wants. It's just unfortunate now I'm straight back out the team."