Wolves: Mick McCarthy staying positive for 'relentless' ride in the Premier League

Oct 16 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

MICK McCarthy describes the Premier League as “relentless and unforgiving” and yet is also adamant that he heads to Everton tomorrow as optimistic as ever.

While those sentiments would appear to be unlikely bed-fellows, McCarthy believes the cut-throat nature of the top flight does give him cause for optimism because it means Wolves have to attack.

And that means two men up front at Goodison Park.

“It can be unforgiving if you go with absolutely no optimism and sit back and have no desire to try and win the game,” he said.

“I actually find that more unforgiving than going and trying to be involved in the game and trying to win the game.

“My view on it is that I’d sooner try and win the game than just play it out.

“Maybe you can start on nought and end on nought and come away with a point, which is lovely if you do it, but there’s nothing worse than trying that and getting beat. Then I would be beating myself up on a Sunday.”

McCarthy admits he has only ever played for a draw in one match. That was when the Republic of Ireland took on Croatia in a Euro 2000 qualifier in September 1999 only for Arsenal’s Davor Suker to grab a dramatic winner three minutes into injury time.

“I think I’ve only done it once when I’ve sent a team out like that,” McCarthy said. We had three games to play in seven days because of the troubles in the former Yugoslavia.