Boss Mick McCarthy is under no illusions about the task facing Wolves at Everton tomorrow - believing the Toffees will once again be contenders for the top four.
David Moyes's side have finished in 6th, 5th, 5th and 8th in the last four seasons, always knocking on the door of the top four without quite making it.
And even though the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham have spent money this summer to push their own Champions League claims, Mick still believes Everton will be there or thereabouts.
"Everton are still competitors for the top four," said Mick.
"I don't think David's got loads of money to spend.
"I was with him on Monday night at Old Trafford.
"But he's still got a really good squad of players when they're all fit.
"When they came to us towards the end of last season they were as good a team as we'd played.
"They were powerful, quick, athletic, good footballers.
"We fashioned a 0-0 draw out of it but it was a really tough game.
"I know they lost on Saturday and I'm not big on stats but the shots, corners and free kicks were way in their favour.
"So I don't read too much into that one.
"It's their first home game tomorrow and they'll be buzzing and looking forward to us going there."
There's a mixed injury bulletin for the boss ahead of travelling up the M6 this afternoon.
Kevin Doyle (calf) has trained all week and Ronald Zubar (groin) is also available again but Jelle Van Damme (ankle) is a doubt and Dave Edwards (groin) won't be travelling.
Steven Fletcher is still suffering from a badly bruised instep which saw him withdrawn during the first half of the opening day win against Stoke but may return to training today.
There should still be options up front for the manager who is once again looking for his team to be flexible whatever formation he should decide to play.
"We played 4-4-2 last weekend and we knew Stoke would too so we wouldn't have to look after a midfield player who was floating around and dropping in holes and causing us problems," added Mick.
"We started off our season at home and I wanted to start on a positive footing.
"We did play 4-4-2 at Everton last year and Spurs and had good results.
"I just changed it when it was getting a little bit sticky and we needed to get points of any sort to make sure we didn't keep getting beat.
"That's when we went to the system of one up front and suited us.
"We played well last week going 4-4-2 but you have to be adaptable on the pitch whatever the formation.
"If we start with two up front we can change and likewise with one.
"All my career I've played 4-4-2 but I changed it last season and it worked."
And Mick is also confident his team will not be over-awed by the challenge of an Everton side fired-up and supported by a vociferous home crowd.
"It's down to your own self belief as a player," he added.
"It's about looking around at your team-mates and thinking: 'We've a decent team here'.
"That helps you not worry about the opposition, or playing at Everton or at Manchester United.
"We've players who have played in the Barclays Premier League and know they can play there.
"It doesn't guarantee us anything but at least we have got a bit of experience and we understand it better."
