The Verdict: Wolves bring fun back to Molineux ahead of crucial few days

We say genuinely because even though last season had its moments - think Liverpool or Villa - they were brief episodes of bliss in what was otherwise an extended nightmare.

This felt a little different. While Cesar Peixoto’s reign remains very much in its infancy, the period between Raul Jimenez’s penalty and the final whistle which ended a 4-1 win against Stoke was arguably the first time a home crowd has had reason to feel truly optimistic about the future since the 3-0 victory over Leicester in April last year, at the end of Vitor Pereira’s six-match winning streak.

Saturday’s result, for a few hours at least, sent Wolves top of the Championship.

It is a cautious optimism because right now it is difficult to truly get a gauge on Peixoto’s team.

Tuesday night will bring some clarity, as it delivers their first serious test away to West Ham and more significantly the closing of the transfer window.

So much may yet depend on the futures of those currently watching from the sidelines. Should Ladislav Krejci and Santiago Bueno still be at Molineux come Wednesday morning, their planned reintegration will have a marked impact on the make-up of the team.

Then there are those players already deemed surplus to requirements. Wolves need to move out the likes of Hwang Hee-chan and Sam Johnstone to create space for signings. Ultimately, the starting XI in a few weeks time could look markedly different to the one which began against Stoke.

What we can say, for now, is Peixoto has done just about as well as he could with the cards he has so far been dealt.

A head coach working for the first time in English football, who inherited a bloated squad, has delivered four wins from five competitive matches.

Yes, it is only a start. But it’s been a good start and to this point, you can’t say Peixoto hasn’t kept his side of the bargain. There are signs of belief and confidence returning, with Saturday another test of character passed.

A goal down after just 80 seconds after Sam Gallagher’s stunning strike for the visitors, Wolves rallied impressively. All four of their points won at Molineux have been from losing positions, while the nine goals scored in just three Championship fixtures is testament to a forward line which will give any side in the division problems.

If you require proof the players are listening to Peixoto, you only need to look at the performance of Rodrigo Gomes.

Less than 24 hours after the head coach had confirmed a right winger was top of his transfer wishlist, the man who currently holds that position broke a 13-match goal drought stretching back to March, notching his first brace for the club.

Both goals came in the space of three first half minutes which turned the course of the match on its head, both the result of Gomes’ willingness to follow in and pounce on loose balls after goalkeeper Viktor Johansson had denied his team-mates.

Gomes helped create the first with his harrying of Eric Bocat, which forced the Stoke defender into a mistake on the edge of his own box, before continuing his run to ensure he was in exactly the right place when Johansson parried Jimenez’s low effort.

History was then repeated soon after, this time Johansson saving from Mateus Mane after the teenager had shown tremendous skill to turn from one defender and squeeze past two others to create the chance from nothing.

Mane was twice denied by Johansson in the second half and unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet.

Fer Lopez, meanwhile, was again the standout performer. The young Spaniard had a little making up to do after his rather lazy pass into midfield teed up Gallagher to blast the visitors in front. But it was his deft touch which set up Jimenez to shoot in the build-up to the leveller, before he later set up substitute Jordan James for the latter’s victory-capping debut goal. Seemingly always able to find space between the Stoke midfield and defence, he looked like causing trouble every time he got the ball.

The concerns for Wolves are at the other end of the field.

They were fortunate Sorba Thomas missed something of a sitter which would have put the visitors two goals up after Jose Sa had only parried a Gallagher effort back into the danger area. Thomas also missed a golden chance to level the scores before half-time.

The quality of chances given up to a limited and out-of-form opponent cannot have gone unnoticed. Far sterner tests lie ahead, starting with Tuesday night’s trip to face the Hammers. Right now you would say Wolves have the look of being a fun team, though perhaps not necessarily a winning team when it really matters.

The inclusion of a Santiago Bueno into defence and a Krejci in midfield might alter the outlook but for that we will have to wait. A defining couple of days lie ahead.