Hard work is key to survival, says Wolves boss McCarthy

Sep 26 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

WORKRATE earned Wolves their ticket to the top flight and Mick McCarthy is adamant that it can keep them there.

But he has warned his players against believing they can slacken off as they prepare for tomorrow’s televised clash at Sunderland.

Statistical analysis of the win over Fulham showed that McCarthy’s men covered more ground and closed the visitors down quicker than Chelsea had done.

McCarthy says he is no great lover of figures in themselves but feels the win last weekend was built around the effort put in by his players.

“I never break it down to how many passes we had,” he said.

“They might throw me a couple of stats but I sat and watched the game again (on television), I know we were the dominant side for the biggest percentage of the game.

“We pressed them better than Chelsea and I bet we pressed them better than Everton did as well.

“We did it particularly well. That is what got us success in the Championship playing that way and I don’t see why it should be any different. “

McCarthy made a number of changes for the midweek Carling Cup tie at Manchester United and will be reverting to his favoured starting 11 at The Stadium of Light with Michael Mancienne, Kevin Doyle, Andy Keogh, Wayne Hennessey, Greg Halford and Dave Edwards likely to return.

McCarthy admits back-to-back games at the tempo Wolves are asked to play can be asking too much.

“That intensity takes it out of the players,” he added.