McCarthy admits: We just didn’t compete

Nov 30 2009 By Andy Walker

MICK McCarthy expected a big performance from his side – but admitted Wolves failed to deliver.

Having seen his team beaten heavily by two of the Premier League’s so-called elite clubs, McCarthy was expecting to see a reaction against Blues.

Yet the Wolves boss was left concerned when it failed to transpire.

“That was a hugely disappointing experience,” reflected McCarthy. “Of course, I didn’t turn up here expecting to get beat 1-0 or to play as poorly as we did in the first half.

“I think Birmingham played well but we didn’t compete as we normally do. That’s worrying.

“It’s not the same as losing to Chelsea and Arsenal because it’s almost expected that we lose to them, but we’re expected to beat Birmingham at our place.

“We didn’t do that and they deserved it. They were better than us.”

A superb finish from Lee Bowyer in the third minute was all that separated Wolves and Blues at Molineux in the end.

And McCarthy admitted the poor start left his side with a mountain to climb.

“We didn’t start the game well and were a goal down after three minutes without making a tackle,” he added.

“We hadn’t laid a finger or a boot on them or anything. From there it was always going to be difficult and they defended their lead very well.

“It’s out of character for our lads not to compete but perhaps without that great bit of quality from Bowyer we might have been able to get a grip on the game.

“The few chances we did manage to make we squandered. It isn’t like us all to be like that and it surprises me but that’s why we were 1-0 down after three minutes.

“Is it confidence or belief? Well it’s certainly not a lack of desire but we just didn’t compete from the start and they got a foothold on the game.”