'Strong plans and determination' - Wolves face a critical moment

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Wake us when it's over.

Alas, while the mathematical certainty of relegation still hurt Wolves fans, there is still another month of this to endure.

"Work has been underway since my arrival in December," wrote the still-new executive chairman Nathan Shi in a Monday night statement on the club's website. He continued: "To ensure we are ready to respond with clarity and conviction… We know what is required and will approach the months ahead with purpose."

Nathan Shi's communications since being appointed to replace his namesake Jeff Shi have been received positively, at least as positively as can be at a time when there is nothing that can usefully be said to assuage the upset that fans feel. Those supporters formed their judgements of the players some time ago. Some have already made judgements on Rob Edwards. The time when they will judge Nathan Shi's work is about to begin.

The first part of this period will be the worst. Fairly or not, Shi is for the moment the avatar of Fosun, the club's owners. However unjust it may be on a personal level, as their representative on the ground he will have to face the ire of the fans. He is showing a welcome willingness to listen to their concerns, attending several meetings with supporter groups and committing to appearing at a larger fans' forum, to be broadcast by BBC Radio WM, next month.

Good communication is valuable, but only as an addition to getting major decisions right, not a substitute. Words will be the cheapest commodity around Wolverhampton in the next few months. The financial drop between the first and second tier is more pronounced now than when Wolves were last relegated from the Premier League in 2012, and Wolves supporters do not need to look at Leicester as a frightening case study of what can happen if they get the major decisions wrong now. The Championship is even more capricious than the Premier League, but rewards clubs with strong plans and determination to stick to them, as Coventry have demonstrated. It can be pitiless on those that do not.

"We know this season has tested your loyalty and patience," said Shi. The good news is that the loyalty will stay. Attendances may fall, but Wolves fans will remain Wolves fans, available to be pulled back. As Shi will hear on Saturday when Wolves play at home for the first time in 50 days, it is the patience that has limits.