David Jones believes it will be a real squad effort if Wolves secure top flight status this season as they prepare to head into the final 12 games of the season.

 

Boss Mick McCarthy has hinted at sticking with a settled team for tomorrow's crucial trip to Bolton, which would once again include midfielder Jones, who has been in impressive form since winning a regular starting berth after recovering from injury.

 

But the former Manchester United man is backing everyone within the ranks to "chip in" as Wolves look to build on recent performances and keep ahead of the pack in the congested race to beat the drop.

 

"There are so many teams down there and putting together a couple of wins can be massive," says Jones.

 

"Hopefully we can do that at some stage but with so many teams involved it looks like it's going to go right to the wire.

 

"We've grown in confidence during the season and have put in some good performances against some good teams of late and have looked assured.

 

"Everyone is confident with the spirit and atmosphere we've got in the dressing room that we are positive and upbeat about what we can achieve this season.

 

"It's good to be involved and I'm just trying to do my best for the team.

 

"The most important thing about this season is staying up and collectively that's what we'll all be looking at if we achieve it.

 

"Everyone is firmly focused on that aim.

"We've shown this season that we can give a good account of ourselves in this league, and with 12 games to go we've just got to pull together as a squad.

 

"I am sure there will be changes over these last 12 games and people who haven't been involved recently may well come in.

 

"We'll be looking for everyone to chip in with a goal or a performance which keeps us in the league."

 

Much has been made of the level of Wolves' performance against Chelsea last weekend, and Jones concurs with the theory that repeating that standard tomorrow will give Wolves a chance of achieving a positive result.

 

 

He admits that as much as the Wolves players will try and treat the game in much the same way as any other, there's always that little bit extra associated with a battle against one of your closest rivals.

 

"We've been playing well recently with a good win against Tottenham and then a good performance against Chelsea," he added.

 

"Even before that we were playing well.

 

"If we can replicate that sort of level against Bolton then we've got a chance.

 

"You try not to think about the game in any different terms but it is difficult not to and I think you do approach it slightly differently.

 

"Before the season you probably look at games like this as one which is going to be very important against a team likely to be around you in the table.

 

"There's more of an emphasis on trying to get the three points than there would have been last Saturday even though we could have taken something from Chelsea.

 

"So as much as you do concentrate on approaching the game in the same way it is difficult not to put the extra emphasis on certain games."

 

That of course leads to added pressure surrounding the afternoon, not least as the atmosphere at the Reebok is likely to be rocking.

 

But Jones has backed Wolves to handle the atmosphere and prove that they've got the mettle to thrive amid the pressure.

 

"I am sure the Bolton crowd and their team will be up for it," he added.

 

"They've lost a couple of games this week and will be keen to bounce back and everyone will be fired up.

 

"But we'll be fired up as well and even though we are away from home won't be afraid to go there and impose our game on them.

 

"We've done that a number of times this season and hopefully we can have that cutting edge to take the points.

 

"It was a different kind of pressure being at the top of the table last season but it's still an experience you use for this situation.

 

"Everyone knows the importance of Saturday's game and we'll be looking to put on a good performance but the most important thing is getting a result."

 

* David Jones is 18-1 to score first at the Reebok tomorrow with sponsors Sportingbet.com. Click here for details.

 

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