McCarthy: Wolves FA Cup mauling of Watford means nothing

Feb 1 2008 By Paul Berry, Birmingham Mail

WOLVES boss Mick McCarthy insists last weekend’s FA Cup thumping of Watford will count for nothing when the two lock horns again in the Championship at Vicarage Road this evening (5.20pm).

Except perhaps in firing up the clearly stung Hornets into wanting revenge.

“Is there any psychological impact after last weekend? I’m not sure,” said McCarthy.

“They didn’t quite play a full strength team although a few of those injured might not be back in any case.

“They’ve also brought two new players in Leigh Bromby and John Eustace who may well feature.

“We’ve got other players to come in as well and I think it will probably be a completely different game.

“I suppose in a way it might be something they talk about before the game.

“They’ll maybe mention that we went down there last week and gave them a bit of a slapping and will want revenge.

“It’s just up to us to make sure we perform as we know we can.”

Wolves will certainly be hoping to avoid historical precedent from 1993.

On that occasion Wolves also won 4-1 at Watford in the FA Cup, but returned the following Saturday to lose 3-1 in the league.

New signing Kevin Kyle will be hoping for a place on the bench while deadline-beating arrival George Elokobi will watch the game from the stands before joining up with his new team-mates on Monday.

Freddy Eastwood is still missing with the broken bone in his hand currently requiring him to wear a cast while Michael Kightly has now set himself the target of returning from his ankle injury within the next month.

Meanwhile McCarthy insists this week’s arrival of Kyle does not necessarily mean another striker will have to leave.

“With all the games we’ve got left we may have to change things around and will need all our players,” he added.