Wolves growing but confidence remains fragile

[BBC Sport] [Getty Images] Wolves' 3-1 win at Preston was about more than three points. It ended a 489-day wait for an away league victory and gave supporters a much-needed reason to enjoy their Saturday. It was marvellous to see around 5,600 Wolves fans at Deepdale in full voice from the first whistle. Their support reflected the importance of the occasion, but it also raised the standards expected of this team. The first half was not always comfortable. There were moments when Wolves looked uncertain and Preston caused problems. However, after the break, something began to change. The players appeared more relaxed, passed the ball with greater purpose and started to play their own game. That is what made the performance encouraging. Wolves did not simply score and retreat. They continued to attack, pressed higher and showed more belief in the style Cesar Peixoto is trying to build. "Today we didn't lose our identity, and we didn't lose our organisation, for 90 minutes at a good level," Peixoto said afterwards. That identity is still developing, but there were clear signs of progress at Deepdale. Wolves looked more cohesive in possession, and their attacking movements had greater purpose. They are not producing that level of football consistently yet, but the pieces are beginning to fit. This team still has plenty of room to improve. Fer Lopez was the standout player, scoring twice and showing the confidence to find space and take responsibility. Marshall Munetsi was exceptional, mopping up defensively while pressing aggressively, and Andre was typically composed. Tommy Doyle also looked solid after coming on. We did not see much of Jordan James, but his quality on the ball and intelligent runs suggested Wolves may have found an excellent addition. Even Boubacar Traoré offered something different during his brief cameo, pointing to a midfield with plenty of promise. There is also plenty to look forward to in attack. Adam Armstrong made an immediate impact after coming on, combining well with Raul Jimenez before scoring. The prospect of seeing more of that partnership is exciting, especially as their understanding improves. This was a welcome step forward, but Wolves' confidence remains fragile. One poor result could bring back some of the doubts lingering from last season. Still, supporters left Deepdale with something to build on. Wolves are beginning to relax, trust their football and show glimpses of their identity. Wolves have the potential to offer much more, so the next challenge is to make those moments the norm rather than the exception. Find more from Emma at Always Wolves Don't forget to tap the "follow" button at the top of this page to stay up to date with the latest Wolves news. Latest Wolves news, analysis and fan views Ask about Wolves - what do you want to know?