McCarthy warns against complacency

WOLVES boss Mick McCarthy challenged his side to keep their destiny in their own hands after they moved a point nearer to Premier League safety with a goalless draw against Stoke at Molineux yesterday.

McCarthy’s side are now six points clear of the bottom three – and have a superior goal difference – in 14th position with just four games remaining. But the manager is determined not to let any complacency creep in amongst his players.

He said: “This result means someone has to get seven points to get above us but we want to continue to pick up positive results until the end of the season. We want to end with a flourish and not have to worry about the other results.”

McCarthy was full of praise for the way his defenders coped with the constant stream of long throws from Stoke midfielder Rory Delap – 25 in total during the 90 minutes.

Jody Craddock was in particularly fine form in what was the 500th league appearance of his career despite having to have his head bandaged up after a clash of heads with Abdoulaye Faye.

McCarthy said: “I thought Jody and Christophe (Berra) were outstanding. Some teams would have crumbled (from the succession of long throws) but we dealt with them. It is a great weapon to have in your armoury.”

Stoke boss Tony Pulis is adamant there will be no easing up by his side in the final section of the season even though they have assured Premier League survival for another campaign.

He said: “We have spoken about this. The chairman is still paying the wages and the fans are still paying their money to come and watch. I get very disappointed when people say ‘they are mid-table, they will be downing tools’.

“They still have a responsibility to the club and the fans. As long as I am manager, I will be keen for all my players to be committed.”

The Wolves fans constantly booed Delap’s throws but Pulis has promised Stoke will continue to employ the tactic.

He said: “They cheered their own long throws and booed ours. It is a great weapon for us. The opposition don’t like and we will keep using it, don’t worry about that. The more the opposition don’t like it, the more we will use it.”

Stoke had the best chances in the first half during which time Delap reeled off 14 long throws – centre-back Abdoulaye Faye should have done better with some heading opportunities and Mamady Sidibe wasted a clear-cut opening early in the second period.

But Wolves generally looked solid and their determination was typified by Craddock who was made skipper on his 500th league appearance in place of the suspended Karl Henry.

And during the second 45 minutes, Wolves looked more threatening after switching from a 4-5-1 to a 4-4-2 formation, which saw Chris Iwelumo replacing Edwards to give extra support upfront for Kevin Doyle.

Then Pulis brought on Tuncay for Kitson and was quickly forced to replace hamstring victim Sidibe with Liam Lawrence. Wolves started to look more menacing and Sorensen gathered a powerful Zubar header from a Craddock centre.

In stoppage time, Sorensen needed two attempts to keep out a Milijas free-kick.

Match rating: ** – In truth a point suited both sides, and neither broke sweat to end the deadlock. Best fun of the day was the Wolves fans’ booing of every Delap throw-in – and there was plenty of them.

Referee: Chris Foy (Merseyside) – Not a difficult afternoon for Mr Foy, apart from the jostling and jockeying in the Wolves box from Delap’s missiles.