Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey admitted the sales of Early Bird season tickets have been disappointing after the club saw a drop of almost 18% in renewals from last year.

Only 12,150 season-ticket holders have chosen to renew at the frozen price, well down on the 14,780 fans who took up the offer last season.

With Wolves bottom of the table and having picked up only one point from their last five games, Moxey can understand why numbers are down.

He told www.wolves.co.uk: "While we are disappointed with the final figure, it has come as no surprise either. We acknowledge that this has been another very difficult season on the pitch with the team battling for Barclays Premier League survival.

"We have a lot of debate with supporters over the price of tickets, hence our continued commitment to the fantastic Early Bird offer, but the reality is fans want a successful football team to support and the drop in sales reflects the reality on the pitch this season.

"To improve supporter numbers, we must improve the football on the pitch. I would like to thank all the fans who have renewed or bought Early Bird season tickets for the first time.

"To have over 12,000 supporters guaranteeing their support for next season by mid-March remains a healthy figure and that pledge of loyalty to Wolves is very much appreciated."

The decision to replace manager Mick McCarthy with former assistant Terry Connor last month has not yet had the desired effect but Connor today received support from the man he worked alongside at Molineux for five and a half years.

McCarthy told Sky Sports News: "If Terry had left and they had appointed somebody new, I wouldn't have had such a vested interest in it.

"But he is a really close family friend now, both himself and his wife are great pals. I have had even more of an interest in it, watching it and wishing him well, because I'd like to see him do well."