Wolves boss picks out key performers

Sep 24 2007 By Paul Berry, Birmingham Mail

IT was an impressive all-round performance which helped Wolves comfortably despatch Norwich, but boss Mick McCarthy was particularly pleased with several individuals.

Notably his two goalscorers Kevin Foley and Andy Keogh, returning defender Jody Craddock and back-to-his-best winger Michael Kightly.

"I didn't sign Kevin to score goals - that was an added bonus - but I thought his all-round performance was terrific," said McCarthy. “As for Keogh, someone like him deserves to stay in the team because of the effort he puts in every single game.

“I was delighted he pulled the trigger and didn’t pass it - he’s been desperate for a goal as you could see from his reaction.”

On Craddock, McCarthy insisted he did “exactly what it says on the tin” – “he heads it, kicks it and defends.”

While he was particularly pleased that Kightly was back giving a defence a torrid time.

“Sometimes you put coaching sessions on and maybe the players get a bit brassed off with you telling them how they should be playing,” he added. ”We had a coaching session with Kites last Monday, something specifically for him.

”And I thought he was excellent on Tuesday and outstanding on Saturday. He does his best work out wide, up against a full back, when he's up there he's a real threat.

”That sort of performance is why he's playing every week, why he's had a new contract and why he's got his England under-21 caps.”