Mick McCarthy has seen it all before. Having managed Sunderland to the heights of the Premier League he saw his side go down with the worst points total. This season with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the top flight he has found a new steel in his managementstyle, and playing staff.
His recruitment of Kevin Doyle and his policy to play him up front on his own has reaped amazing results. The evidence of this is Wolves 3-1 away win over West Ham in which Doyle caused problems all night and scored the opener. They followed it up with another amazing result this time a goaless draw with in form Everton.
With 32 points they are 5 points ahead of 3rd last Hull City. The former Irish Captain and Manager is taking nothing for granted.
He said on www.eleven-a-side.com
“We’re just a point better off and just have to carry on to make sure we get more than three other teams. My mantra won’t change on that, there is no other target despite everyone trying to get me to give one.
“I’ll take one goal more than anyone else if it means we stay up, goal difference whatever, by hook or by crook.
“We’re enjoying the recent results but we’re not going to be dancing on the dugout with our draws in the air saying we’re staying up,” McCarthy said.
“When we weren’t doing well we were getting a bit of aggro and we were trying to stave it off a little bit. So when we are having a few good results and are getting a pat on the back we’re not going to get carried away. We just need to keep scrapping away like we have done all season.
“We are still looking over our shoulders at relegation but we can also look at one or two above us because there are teams in far worse situations than ours. We have to keep picking up points and ticking the games off.”