Roger Johnson today insisted Wolves are confident of picking up enough points to clinch safety on the crucial run-in to the end of the Barclays Premier League season - believing they can turn things around after recent results.
A winless run has masked some generally decent performances over the last few weeks, but the skipper knows Wolves must finish the hard-luck stories and start getting points on the board over the remaining 16 games.
An FA Cup exit to Birmingham means Wolves' next action is in welcoming Carling Cup finalists Liverpool to Molineux on Tuesday (7.45pm), with Johnson calling for a repeat of the first half display against Aston Villa.
"The boys know about being down there in the league," says Johnson.
"I've spoken to the manager and said we've been down there before and we will do our utmost to get out of the bottom three and get enough points for safety.
"We got knocked out of the cup which means a free weekend but we've been in working on the training pitch to get ready for Liverpool.
"After the Villa game everyone came in disappointed because we thought we'd done really well.
"We thought we'd done enough to get a draw out of the game or even a win.
"It seems to be the story of the season where we've put in some good performances and got nothing out of games.
"Something has to change for us and maybe with getting a bit of a rub of the green.
"Hopefully over the second half of the season it will turn around for us and we will kick on and get the points we need.
"Even when we had a run of six defeats on the trot there were some we didn't deserve to lose.
"We are where we are because we haven't got enough points and it's up to us to put that right."
Liverpool will clearly be another tough proposition on Tuesday, having overcome Manchester City over two legs to reach the Carling Cup final ahead of today's FA Cup tie with Manchester United.
But Johnson believes recent showings against the Premier League 'big boys' should confirm to Wolves that they have nothing to fear.
"We are more than confident we can get something out of the Liverpool game," he says.
"We know we can perform against anybody in the league and we have shown it.
"We have got to stay in the game for as long as we can and hopefully get something on the attack.
"They have got through in the cup which was good for them and they will be wanting to get back to winning ways after losing to Bolton in the league.
"They've got Man U in the cup today as well so we'll see how they get on in that."
There was some respite in the week's training programme with a trip for both management staff and players to go Paintballing on Thursday.
Johnson believes the chance to get out and be together as a group away from the training ground met with a positive response.
"We've been grafting this week and then on Thursday also had a bonding day with all the squad and the staff," he added.
"It went really well.
"Just to get out of the training ground for day gives everyone a change and we went paintballing.
"The staff came along with the squad and we got out for the day and bonded as they say!
"Some were better than others and one or two took a few wounds but it was a good day.
"Paintballing is a good laugh and we all enjoyed it."
Meanwhile another source of enjoyment for the players in recent weeks has been the impressive support from the Molineux faithful both at home and away.
The fans have stuck with their team despite some recent disappointments and Johnson believes that will make a positive difference, continuing with Tuesday's fixture with Liverpool.
"The fans have been superb considering where we are in the league," he said.
"They were great against Villa and have been for a good, few months.
"We need them behind us and we need everyone to pull together.
"We are all trying out there and hopefully things will turn around and we will get the points we need."
