Within the first two minutes we were a goal down (admittedly to a fantastic strike from Varney) and chasing the game. Early substitutions made a difference, but we conceded another and despite sustained pressure, couldn’t level the score. Plenty of parallels to Bolton last week, although I’d argue that we played better overall yesterday.

'What went wrong?' 'We couldn't defend and couldn't score, but the midfield weren't as bad as last week'

Over more than one game, results very rarely come down to luck. We have nine points from fourteen games and have lost the last four. We have played well, with the exception of some fits of hoof-and-hope against Bolton, in all of those four games but, self-evidently, we haven’t played well enough. Blackpool scored a wonder goal and defended splendidly yesterday. Our keeper made a rare but bad error, which cost us a goal, and our forwards lacked incisiveness in finishing and positioning. There were times when a player took on a shot and should have passed and vice versa. We were not good enough when it really mattered.

We weren’t far off, however, and the not-good-enough has come down to single decisions – chances not taken, tackles not made: Foley letting Varney in for the first, Hahnemann flapping for the second, Ebanks-Blake not being sharp enough to run onto a spilled shot from the keeper. Reverse those, which the current squad are capable of doing, get some belief back, and we’re good enough to stay in this League. Whether we will is a different question which, in a remarkably similar way to last season, relies on McCarthy finding and sticking with his best team.

Today was a classic of this not happening and plenty of questions will be asked about McCarthy after this result. However much Blackpool have surprised everyone this season, they only had one home win prior to this, and these are the games we’ll need to pick up points from. Leaving out Milijas was strange, but then he had played in Bulgaria on Wednesday, but as he came on to good effect after 30 minutes, perhaps he should have started. Conversely, he’s been too keen to integrate Hunt, who could make a difference to the team in time, but is not up to pace.

The whole game was frustrating, but the margins between success and failure have been extremely narrow. McCarthy should stay and be given the chance to tip the balance and turn things around. But this does have to happen very soon.

Is that a Fulham fan I see before me?

Another solid defensive display against an uninspired Fulham side.

A large and loud Wolves contingent had filled the away end and taken over much of the ‘neutral’ Putney End of the ground, but in truth there was little in the game to get the pulse racing. But on a beautiful sunny day in south west London, the neutral stand made a refreshing change: Although the vast majority were behind the Old Gold, there was a fair smattering of actual neutrals or Fulham scarves cohabiting very amicably. Perhaps this can only be achieved at a relatively trouble-free (fan-free?) club like Fulham, but it was good, and I would be happy to see more of it.

Oh I do like to be beside the riverside

There was probably less to say about the game than the crowd. Wolves made a habit at times last year of a certain gung-ho ‘score one more than you’ approach to games. This season, for obvious reasons, couldn’t be more of a contrast, as Wolves adopt more of an ‘if we’re not going to score, nor are you’ line.

It’s immensely satisfying to see the defense shored up this year with an unexpectedly brilliant central defensive partnership. Craddock was fine again, this time against Zamora, Berra was sound and Zubar continues to impress on the right. He was tough defensively, survived a couple of hard tackles, and willing to get involved in the attack when possible. Elokobi had one of his best days, so an all round impressive defensive display.

It is clear, however, that our attacking options will need a serious shot in the arm in the transfer window. Kevin Doyle didn’t see a great deal of the ball with the midfield failing to create much of note, but managed a couple of shots wide of target. Edwards, otherwise fairly quiet, also saw a shot go (some distance) over the bar. Jones was disappointingly quiet, given recent performances. Jarvis, also not living up to recent form, and then Jones repeatedly failed to deliver corners which cleared the first defender.

Guedioura came on to little effect for the last 15, closely followed by Milijas, who put himself about a bit and worked hard to get the ball forward, but without having much more impact than anyone else.

Zamora came closest for Fulham, seeing a good strike sail past Hahnemann and off the outside of the post in the second half.

Other than that, neither keeper was seriously threatened as the game played itself out to a quiet stalemate and a good point on the road to Premier League survival for Wolves.

It would be nice to feel a great deal more secure, as even with only three games remaining, the table can be changed a great deal with a few lucky/unlucky results, but I’d rather be us than Hull.

The game started scrappily, with Wigan ultimately having the best of the first half. Hahnemann pulled off a couple of impressive saves, and a bit of luck with a rebound off the inside of the crossbar kept Wolves in the game and in with a chance at 0-0 as half time was about to be blown.

Then Stearman inexplicably pulled his man over, chasing a nothing ball towards the corner flag. Penalty Wigan, and a second yellow for Stearman. Wolves have conceeded some stupid penalties this season (the flailing handed Zubar winning my previous award for idiot of the week), but this outstripped all of them, and by some distance.

That Wolves went in all square at half time was entirely due to the continued excellence of Hahnemann, who saved at least a few of Stearman’s blushes with his penalty save.

Wolves actually started the second half on top and created their best chances in the first 15 minutes, seemingly not missing their erstwhile right back at all, although Ebanks-Blake continued to frustrate. However, as soon as James McCarthy slotted home Wigan’s opener the game was up.

Suddenly it was all Wigan, and the crowd gave up on the game at the same time as the team. Thomas’s sending off for Wigan provided a moment of hope, but Wigan’s second goal hardly came as a surprise. Molineux was all but empty, barring the 23 Wigan supporters who had bothered to make the journey, at the final whistle.