You don’t win a marathon by sprinting out the blocks, but on early evidence, Wolves look well set to go the distance.

Kenny Jackett raised some eyebrows at the starting line, dropping three of last season’s pacesetters.

Out went Ricketts, Jacobs and Henry, in came Doherty, Edwards and van La Parra. As per usual our head coach’s judgment proved bang on the money.

Man of the Match van La Parra won the game, drawing both the fouls that saw Martin Olsson make a deserved early exit, before sending over an inch-perfect delivery for Dave Edwards to nod home the only goal of the contest.

The Dutchman was lively and skilful throughout, displaying all the trademarks we’ve come to expect from a Kenny Jackett signing – pace, agility and an admirable hunger to get on the ball. If he’s consistent, he’ll be a wonderful addition.

But while it was a fresh face grabbing the headlines, it was a case of back to business for last season’s old guard.

Ikeme was solid and dependable, save for one minor first half aberration. Norwich barely tested him though. Only Lewis Grabban’s meek effort from an acute angle came anywhere near for Neil Adams’ side.

The center halves were given a similarly easy ride for the most part, as the visitors’ lone striker failed to consistently stretch the back four.

Doherty impressed, justifying his surprise selection at the expense of Samuel Ricketts with the sort of powerful, athletic performance that made him an early standout performer in our brief League One vacation before injury curtailed his progress.

There were no such problems for Scott Golbourne of course and last season’s Mr. Consistent registered another uniform display on his return to the Championship. You sense he could play at any level and appear competent and reliable.

McDonald and Evans had the toughest job of all, plugging the gaps between midfield and defence that Norwich were continually probing to exploit, and ultimately won the day.

Evans played the safe pass too often for my liking, but deployed in a deeper holding role that was likely his brief. McDonald was his usual all-action self, controlling proceedings for large parts against some high caliber opposition.

Sako remains the team’s most direct and consistent route to goal. Save for missing the clearest chance of all to put the game to bed from Nouha Dicko’s cutback, he barely put a foot wrong all afternoon.

Dicko himself struggled to impose in a compressed first half, but came to the fore when the gaps started to appear. His pace and tenacity will always be rewarded. The goals will come.

Dave Edwards remains happy to pick up the slack and a thumping header following a perfectly timed run were just reward for a wonderful all round display. Questions about his capability to perform and find the net in the Championship answered emphatically in one pleasing afternoon’s work.

Fitting too that it was the man that never stops running who set his team off on another marathon campaign.

And if this encouraging performance showed anything, it’s that Wolves have the legs for the journey.