Big Mick loving every minute of life in pressure cooker

WOLVES boss Mick McCarthy insists he is thriving on the pressure of battling for Barclays Premier League survival ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Blackburn at Molineux.

McCarthy’s side — and their opponents — are currently one point above the drop zone as the season reaches its finale.

But either of them could be overhauled by Birmingham, Blackpool and Wigan if results go against them.

McCarthy said: “Am I enjoying it? I am enjoying it all. What is the alternative — go and play golf?

“It is an absolutely fabulous job despite all the pressures and attention I get. I don’t want to do anything else — I love it.

“If you want to be successful at whatever you do then there are going to be days that put you under a lot of pressure.”

McCarthy believes it helps Wolves’ cause they will be facing a side in Rovers who will also have something to play for.

He said: “It probably helps that it makes them as nervous as we will be. We both need points and, if either of us win the game, it’s job done.”

For his part, Blackburn manager Steve Kean insists the word ‘relegation’ was never mentioned at a meeting with the club’s Indian owners this week.

Kean flew to India to meet the Venkys family and said the focus was completely on Rovers’ future in the Premier League. He claims the meeting was a demonstration of the faith the owners have in him and the players.

Asked if the topics of relegation or his future if the worst happened were raised, Kean said: “We never spoke about that at all, we spoke about me being in charge of the club for the remainder of my contract and beyond.

“We spoke about the budget, what we’ll be looking to do with the scouting team, what type of players we will be looking to bring in.”

He added: “It’s going to be a fantastic budget we’ve got to work with next year.’’