Jack Price has set his sights on a sustained run in the Wolves team between now and the end of the season.
The midfielder has chalked up 20 appearances so far this season, and has found it difficult to regain his place since illness over Christmas co-incided with a four-game winning run.
After featuring against Preston, he was then recalled for Sunday’s big derby against Blues, and received both sponsors’ and fans’ Man of the Match awards thanks to a typically tidy display.
“It was nice to get back in for the big local derby,” said Price.
“We know it has been a difficult season for the fans and wanted to try and give them some pride back.
“The gaffer said to us after the game that in the first half we edged it and had a couple of good chances which Tomasz saved.
“But in the second half they were more dominant and they got plenty of balls in the box and built up some pressure.
“We did well to see it through and keep a clean sheet.
“There have been a lot of times this season where maybe we have conceded a goal and then found it tough to get back and have gone on and lost games.
“On Sunday you could feel there was a belief through the team that we wanted to keep a clean sheet, especially with the back five, and make sure we took something from the game.”
Like any of the players, Price wants to be in the first team, and feels frustration whenever that opportunity is denied.
But he also knows it is about staying professional and working hard when out of that starting eleven to ensure you make the most of the opportunity when it comes along.
“It felt great to be back out there on Sunday,” he says.
“When you first walk out of that tunnel and hear the fans singing the adrenalin gets pumping again!
“It was nice to be involved.
“Like any player I always want to play and now I would love to start every game for the remainder of the season.
“I’d played a fair few games over the first half of the season and then lost my place over Christmas with an illness.
“The team then won four in a row and did really well so you don’t expect in those circumstances to come straight back in.
“I came back in for the Preston game which wasn’t the best and lost my place but now I just want to try and cement my place for the rest of the season.
“When you are not involved while it is frustrating because everyone wants to play, you just have to stay professional, keep working hard and support the lads that are in the team.
“Everyone knows you are disappointed – all players are – but you have to respond in the right way to try and get your place back in the team.
“If I can make an impact over the remainder of the season hopefully it is something I can take into next season as well.
“It is very competitive in the midfield areas for places and everyone knows that in training.
“You always know if you are in the team that there are other very good players who can come in so you need to keep your standards high.”
Wolves head to Turf Moor on Saturday to take on a Burnley side which drew 0-0 in a competitive contest at Molineux back in November.
There are several former Wolves men among their number, whom Price watched at close quarters as he was a young player coming through the ranks.
“There are a few former Wolves lads there who I remember from when I was coming through and I trained with some of them a few times and I remember spending a bit of time with Kights when we were both coming back from injury,” says Price.
“And I remember watching David Jones a lot as he played in my position.
“Burnley are a good team and a strong side and have got into a very good position.
“They are a very solid team and have got strikers in Vokes and Gray who score plenty of goals.
“But we are positive that we can go up there and hopefully come back with a result.
“We did well against them at home and could have nicked it on the day so we have to go up there ready to try and get a positive result.
“Burnley will be expected to win so we can go there without any real fear and try and put on a performance.”
