Wolves blog: What a time to be a Molineux regular...

The only real joy I have had being a Wolves fan over a whole season came during Mick McCarthy’s tenure in the 2008/09 season, writes Tom Tracey.

I do have fond memories of a day out in Cardiff on 26 May 2003, but was probably too young to appreciate it fully.

But right now it feels like this is the closest to universal support the club has had.

You wake up thinking about Wolves, go to work talking about Wolves, go to sleep thinking about Wolves.

There was a time when match days weren’t always the most stirring events, but Saturdays are again exciting and full of expectancy for good football, skilful players and goals.

The feeling is definitely different from last year, when there was relief but uncertainty for what the season would bring.

There was delight at the takeover, without which the threat of relegation could have been a distinct possibility.

The influx of players was exciting – something which, in hindsight, was a chaotic, scattergun approach, especially compared to this summer’s haul.

Walter Zenga was an interesting appointment mainly for his passion – but, again in hindsight, many were rightly worried when they saw his managerial history.

I was definitely aboard the Zenga Bus, but the season petered out and with Paul Lambert in charge, it would have been fair to expect a challenge for the playoffs without pulling up any trees this season.

If there was a bus-full of support for Zenga, there was less capacity in the Lambo-ghini. We will need a ferry for Nuno’s army – especially if he could take us into Europe.

The club have really upped their game, bringing in players who featured in last season’ Champions League among other high calibre players who have improved the squad all over the pitch.

I’ll admit I hadn’t heard of a good chunk of the players Wolves signed this summer, but there is more belief that the club have brought in the right players.

Nuno Espirito Santo is fantastic – his short, sharp interviews pack a punch rather than dragging on, and there is a synergy between him, the team and the fans.

Of course, this feeling could all sour with a string of bad results, but at the moment that just seems unfathomable.

We have even had a run in the League Cup – why can’t Man City be the third top flight team to be beaten on their own patch in a row in 2017?

There is a real sense of pride in the team.

In all probability these star players like Neves, Jota and Costa will move on if we don’t get promoted. They may even move on regardless, but they are showing ability and dedication to Wolves and there is a genuine warmth between the players and fans.

Laurie Dalrymple is a relatable and trustworthy figure and Fosun have stayed true to their word so far. The trust level clearly rose when Wolves not only bought Helder Costa in January, but retained him in the summer.

His injury probably helped with the latter, but I can’t remember the last time we held onto a star player who was linked with a multitude of other clubs when we have either stayed in the same league or got relegated.

The atmosphere and attendance at Molineux reflects the pride in being a Wolves fan at the moment.

The current average attendance of more than 26,000, with this weekend’s game against Barnsley likely to match or increase that, is almost 5,000 more than last season’s average.

Every Saturday away game has sold out so far this season, with next week’s clash at Burton having gone the same way.

Getting a ticket has become a frantic race and people are making an effort to support Wolves wherever they are playing.

A huge thing that has brought everyone at Wolves together is Carl Ikeme.

The news about his diagnosis was shell shocking and every single Wolves fan will have him in mind whenever they support the team – it’s a real uniting factor.

The club motto, ‘Out of darkness cometh light’ is unquestionably apt in this situation.

But there is real belief at the club and it is a real pleasure to be a Wolves fan right now.