Wolves news: Opinion – Mike Taylor on ’emotional investment’ at Molineux

In other circumstances, Wolves’ celebrations – for it was hard to describe them as anything else – on the pitch at Etihad Stadium on Friday might have seemed a little indulgent.

It was much more than the usual reaction of a defeated away side: the standard wander over towards the travelling fans, returning their polite applause, eyes slightly downcast. Vitor Pereira and his players instead resembled the cast of a West End show, all gathered on stage to join hands for a curtain call.

But Wolves had attacked Manchester City as if they felt that they were on equal terms. City might not have the same aura as a year ago but they are still a team of formidable talent and Wolves, without Jorgen Strand Larsen after injury ended his golden recent run, matched them in every regard except for the finishing touch.

So the winning run ended. Still, six out of seven is not bad and Wolves had at least put on a good show, the sort of performance you can really enjoy when your team is essentially free of jeopardy.

Zooming out a little, perhaps the most important thing to learn is that, after a mostly grey period, being emotionally invested in Wolves feels good again.

Since the pandemic, the focus of the club and the supporters has been less about what is happening now and more on fear for the future. What if there is no more money? What if this or that player leaves? What if we go down?

It was becoming a joyless ride, a slog towards keeping Premier League status, and for what: just to stagger onwards, hovering above next season’s newcomers, hoping just to exist in the Premier League because the alternative was somehow worse?

It did not take much. A few wins obviously helped but suddenly it is fun to enjoy Wolves in the present again: a team that, while imperfect, has a clear plan and believes in its own ability, so you can believe in it too.

Pereira, wise enough to know that such a moment can be transient, is eager to keep pushing to the end of the season. Carry that feeling forward and transfer targets looking for a new clubs to join will feel it this summer as well.