The onset of autumn is bringing with it just the merest hint of a hard winter for City. It's far too early to start making long-term forecasts, but in football no-one wants to find themselves slipping into trouble before the first leaves start to fall.
The Potters are in need of a quick pick-me-up.
Two goals, either side of the break at Molineux did for a team lacking in creativity and, above all right now, Coca-Cola Championship points.
The defeat preceded the slide into the drop zone, without a win in seven league games, and if the previous week's capitulation against Burnley was 'Gone in 35 seconds', City at least held out a little longer this time.
In fact, they were well on top until the 21st minute, when Leon Clarke was allowed to run freely into the box past around three defenders and coolly slot home.
City had plenty of gusto and drive going forward, but the contest was ended after 68 minutes when Seyi George Olofinyana capitalised on some poor defending to make it 2-0.
Add to that Clint Hill's red card five minutes from time and this Staffordshire derby turned out to be a nightmare all-round.
Manager Tony Pulis made one change from last week's defeat, with debutant Ricardo Fuller replacing the injured Sammy Bangoura.
The boss resisted the temptation to replace Luke Chadwick on the right, with Carl Hoefkens again taking his place on the bench.
A familiar name in the Wolves line-up was Karl Henry, a summer recruit from the Potteries, and with a point to prove.
Henry and partner Olofinyana outshone Darel Russell and Dave Brammer in midfield, while wing pairing Chadwick and Peter Sweeney found life equally tough.
The defence was susceptible, with Hill stretched by Jemel Johnson and Danny Higginbotham finding former Tottenham winger Rohan Ricketts more than a handful.
Mamady Sidibe again highlighted his big heart and all-action qualities, but the Potters continue to find goals hard to come by.
Wolves looked there for the taking as City started brightly.
Fuller, Russell and even full-back Andy Griffin tried their luck from distance, but with Matt Murray in good form in the home goal, the score remained blank - until Wolves opened the scoring through the bustling Clarke.
To their credit, City continued to take the game to Wanderers and could have been level at the break when Sidibe and Fuller linked up.
Pulis threw on Hoefkens and Martin Paterson after the break and the teenager added much needed pace to the attack.
But City were never going to get anything out of the game after Wolves doubled their lead.
Ricketts' near post cross allowed an unmarked Olofinyana to ghost into the box and head home an easy chance - a near carbon-copy of Barnsley's equaliser a fortnight ago.
City's woes increased as Hill saw red for a second bookable offence.
With rejuvenated Leeds United and Sunderland waiting next month, City's game against Preston at the Britannia Stadium this weekend - the last before a two-week break for international fixtures - takes on a major importance.
Nick Clowes
