Aston Villa’s wingers worry Wolves boss Mick McCarthy
Oct 24 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail
MICK McCarthy signed his wingers for the price of a bag of scratchings and a half of mild in comparison to the amount shelled by Martin O’Neill on Ashley Young and James Milner.
So it comes as little surprise that the Wolves boss sees the £22 million duo as major threats to Wolves’ hopes of gaining a first win in 30 years over their Midland rivals.
“Watching them, Young is the more attacking threat, because if there’s a more workmanlike winger than Milner, then I’ve yet to see him,” purred McCarthy about the different attributes facing his side at Molineux this afternoon.
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“Our lads put a shift in, but I really do think he’s terrific, and it does allow Young to have a bit more freedom.
“He can hang about, pick things up and attack, but he still does his shift.”
McCarthy says his budget buys still offer value for money.
“Our lads do it, but Milner cost £12m and Young cost £10m and compare them to how much Michael Kightly – who was £25,000 – Matt Jarvis, Dave Edwards or Greg Halford cost,” he said. “Do I want them to play like those two? Yes of course, but analyse the difference in price. Our lads still do it.
“Workmanlike and wingers don’t go together? Well they are in my team and they are in Martin O’Neill’s team.
“If they don’t, they don’t play.
“They can’t afford to be luxury players because wingers have to tuck in and do a defensive job.
“That’s why a lot of them play with three in the middle and only one up front because they don’t believe they can trust their team to play with two wingers.”
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