When Mick McCarthy sat down in July to take a look at the season ahead for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Premier League survival would have been the main target he set his players.

However, the boss would have been keen for his side not to take their fate down to the final day of the season once again.

Here, Sports Mole assesses how McCarthy's men have gone about ensuring that they are a top flight club next season.

August

The addition of centre-back Roger Johnson from Birmingham City and the permanent signing of Jamie O'Hara from Tottenham Hotspur gave Wolves fans cause for optimism ahead of the new campaign.

Their high hopes looked to be well placed early on when an opening day win at Blackburn Rovers was closely followed by a 2-0 victory at home to Fulham.

Next up was a trip to Midlands rivals Aston Villa, where Wolves left with a credible 0-0 draw.

Away from the league, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake scored two as Wolves eased past Northampton Town in the Carling Cup.

September

Little did they know it at the time, but the goalless draw at Villa would see Wolves embark on a winless run that would suffocate their September.

Spurs and Queens Park Rangers claimed comfortable victories at Molineux, before Wolves lost 2-1 at Anfield.

There was some respite in the Carling Cup as Wolves hit five without reply against Millwall.

October

In worrying contrast, October went the same way as September as the search for a victory continued.

Newcastle United, West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City capitalised on Wolves' poor form to collect victories, while City returned to knock the club out of the Carling Cup.

As October drew to a close, late goals from Kevin Doyle and Jamie O'Hara rescued Wolves a point from a home fixture with Swansea City.

November

After eight attempts, Wolves finally secured a win in early November. Goals from O'Hara, David Edwards and Stephen Ward saw McCarthy's side claim a valuable three points over fellow strugglers Wigan Athletic.

However, the remainder of the month took on a familiar look with defeats away at Everton and Chelsea.

December

A brace from Steven Fletcher saw off the challenge of Sunderland in early December, before Manchester United and Stoke City took maximum points from Wolves.

Norwich City then left Molineux with a point, although Wolves did have enough chances to claim all three from that encounter.

A daunting trip to Arsenal followed, but Wolves claimed a point against the in-form Gunners, with goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey in particular coming in for plenty of praise.