Black clouds lift as Fletcher steps up

BRAGGING rights have been something Mick McCarthy and Wolves have not enjoyed a monopoly on in recent encounters with West Brom.

The second victory in the last 11 productions of this local drama could not have been more opportune, but gloating over their vanquished foe will mean little if Wolves squander the marvellous opportunity for safety Steven Fletcher has given them.

Fletcher was challenged several weeks ago to fill the void left by the injury to Kevin Doyle and justify the £7m fee McCarthy was only too happy to pay Burnley for his services in the summer.

His two predatory contributions, before he exited stage left to rapturous acclaim, makes it five goals in seven games since his manager’s harsh words and his efforts have revitalised Wolves’ chances of avoiding a return to the Championship.

Winning the “big games” has been a happy knack for McCarthy this season after seeing off both Manchester clubs and Chelsea at Molineux.

Once again his side delivered when it mattered most, but he has no idea why.

McCarthy may have been twitching about relegation, but he is no twitcher and has no answer to Wolves’ ability to win when it matters most.

What is more important is Wolves are out of the bottom three for the first time in 71 days and aim to stay there.

Fletcher now has 11 goals from 17 starts, which is the kind of impact McCarthy hoped for when he “did the best piece of business possible last summer,” in signing his number one choice.

“He has scored some important goals and it is lovely to be proved right. I spent millions and he was my first choice. I think he has proved to be exactly what I thought he would be. He was delighted with his goals and I am thrilled with him.”

West Brom’s surge to Premier League safety has been attributed to Roy Hodgson’s organisational skills since replacing Roberto Di Matteo — but his side’s Achilles heel at set-pieces was ruthlessly exposed.

Stephen Hunt justified his selection ahead of Matt Jarvis with deliveries from corners and Fletcher and Adlene Guedioura both profited from the inability of Albion’s defenders to perform the most rudimentary of marking skills.

Hodgson’s side have now allowed 29 goals from set-plays — the worst in the Premier League.

Hunt’s tenacity and appetite for the big game swung the decision in his favour and McCarthy could not have been more delighted that his selection worked out.

“I knew there would have been people waiting for me if it went wrong. He was terrific and the man for this occasion. Even when he is not playing well he can be effective, but he was superb. The amount of ground he covered and the tackles he made,” said McCarthy.

Guedioura chested the first down for Fletcher to tap in and the roles were reversed with the Scot heading back across goal for the Algerian to volley past a helpless Scott Carson, leaving Hodgson at a loss as to why his players were unable to prevent such routine goals.

“They all knew their jobs at set pieces and we impressed upon them the threat of the second ball,” said Hodgson, stung by only his second defeat in 10 games.

The most appalling defensive error was claimed by Abdoulaye Meite, who failed to cut out Kevin Foley’s raking diagonal ball, leaving Fletcher with a clear path to Carson’s goal to give Wolves the kind of cushion needed to withstand Peter Odemwingie’s penalty and the pressure that generated in the second half.

If Wolves win at Sunderland at the weekend, their safety is all but secure and even then they have the back-up of a games against Blackburn.

One suspects McCarthy would have snatched the hand off of the person who offered him that back in August.

“It’s pleasing and timely, but I am working on May 22nd time and we are not there yet,” he said.