There is a continuing unease that this team is not expressing itself with real fluency and conviction

Wolves find themselves currently well-placed in a solid position to mount a sustained challenge as the Championship table begins to significantly take shape.

The previous break began with Wolves in buoyant spirits, basking in the dominance they displayed in the Black Country Derby.

But the halt in the action appeared to disrupt much of the positivity, with the swagger and the confidence abundant against Albion replaced by a strange diffidence.

Expectancy has diluted, a less emphatic approach has persisted, the team stilted, a touch robotic and predictable.

Generally, results still managed to hold up and indeed, had the match at Wrexham been won, Wolves would be leading the table.

Even so, there is a continuing unease among many fans that this team is not expressing itself with real fluency and conviction.

Fer Lopez began the break as indisputably the best attacking midfielder in this league. He returned with a minor injury and that peerless early-season form has dissipated somewhat.

That’s not to suggest that his contribution has not remained significant - his goals in the wins against both Burnley and Cardiff testament to that, but the spectacular early input for now at least, is elusive.

No team or individual player is going to produce startling performances all season, especially in a league with such a rapid turnover of fixtures. The Championship is a gruelling physical grind without respite.

We have been witnessing Premier League football at Molineux for some years and the inevitable dip in quality in the Championship is abundantly clear, but the competitive element remains much the same.

The automatic promotion places will be vigorously contested.

Birmingham, Albion and Stoke all appear entirely stronger propositions since we encountered them earlier on.

Middlesborough, having narrowly failed last season are demonstrably intent on not missing out this time.

West Ham, just about everyone’s favourite for top spot just weeks ago have faltered, but they are capable of regrouping and becoming serious contenders.

Southampton, despite a points penalty look increasingly strong; Swansea and QPR remain in the mix and a resurgent Norwich with four successive wins with 15 goals in the process are an increasing threat.

There seems no outstanding team like the Wolves’ squad of 2017-18, but there is a clutch of determined, efficient outfits hell bent on outdoing their competitors.

It’s tough; and Wolves, unconvincing at times, still remain definite promotion candidates.