John Ruddy: Rampant Wolves have 'too much quality' for the Championship

John Ruddy has been in towering form for Wolves this season, keeping nine clean sheets

Wolves goalkeeper John Ruddy says they have 'too much quality' for the Championship - providing they continue outworking rival teams the way they have so far this season.

Five successive wins have put them four points ahead of second-placed Cardiff City, and head coach Nuno's side are seven clear ahead of the play-off pack.

"Momentum is a massive thing. We've got that right now," Ruddy told BBC WM.

"With the players and the quality we've got, we'll maintain that hopefully."

Ruddy, who won an England cap in 2012, knows what it takes to escape the second tier, having twice been a member of promotion-winning sides with Norwich City in 2011 and 2015.

"The first requirement in this league is to outwork the opposition," the 31-year-old said. "If we keep doing that, we've got too much quality for other teams in this league."

Momentum at Molineux

• Wolves have five Championship matches on the trot, just as they did late last season under Paul Lambert. Their best run of successive victories in modern times is nine straight League One wins on the way to winning promotion under Kenny Jackett in 2014.

• Nuno's men are top scorers in the Championship with 40 goals in 19 matches. The only other side to have toped the 40-mark in the entire English Football League are League Two leaders Luton Town (48 in 20 matches).

• Leo Bonatini (11) and Diogo Jota (9) have scored half of those 40 league goals between them. Only Wolves old boy Leon Clarke (13) and his Sheffield United team-mate Billy Sharp (8) have collectively scored more as a combination.

• Ruddy has kept nine clean sheets in 19 games, conceding only 17 goals. Only second-placed Cardiff (13) have conceded fewer.

Making the rest 'look average'

Wolves' momentum is now at risk of being checked by the loss of influential Championship record signing Ruben Neves, who was booked in Saturday's season's best 5-1 home win over Bolton.

The midfielder has five cautions for the season, ruling him out of Wolves' next game - the local derby against Birmingham City at St Andrew's on 4 December, but Ruddy insists they have the squad to cope.

"It's not just the players starting," he said. "It's also the ones coming off the bench and making a difference.

"We've got a great balance throughout the team. Defensively, we've been sound for the majority of the season and, attacking wise, everyone knows the threat we've got. We're getting the results and making teams look average, I think that's fair to say.

"It was another fine performance against Bolton to cap a fine week. But we're not focusing on points and gaps and how far ahead we are.

"But there are going to be a lot of clubs looking to upset us, which brings a different sort of pressure. We know we can expect different game plans from the opposition, but we've got to be strong enough stand up to that."

John Ruddy was talking to BBC WM's Mike Taylor