Mick back on the bacon slicer

Mick McCarthy famously claimed he was not Merlin the Magician on the day of his appointment but will surely need to display incredible levels of escapology to avoid becoming the latest Premier League managerial casualty.

McCarthy was clinging on to his job at Molineux by his fingernails last night after another dreadful experience on home turf, with over 200 fans outside the ground demanding his dismissal after the game as mutiny hung in the Black Country air.

Any defeat against bitter rivals is difficult enough to take but this was a horrific afternoon for the former Ireland manager and he is facing an uncertain future as he bids to complete six years in charge this summer.