Ward: There were a few emotional words in there

Although they could no longer help him, Mick McCarthy’s last words to his Irish players at Wolves aimed to inspire.

As the news filtered through at Wolves’ training ground yesterday morning that their manager had been sacked, a group of players cametogether to thank the man who’d given many of them their shot at the big time.

McCarthy was in a sombre mood, and took time to speak to a few players alone.

Stephen Ward, who Mick signed from Bohemians in the League of Ireland and catapulted into thePremier League and then theinternational arena, was one.

“I went in and thanked him forgiving me the chance to play in the Premier League. He was also the man who made me into a left full-back, not many others would’ve seen it — so I owe him a lot,” Ward said.

“He also had a chat with the Irish lads. He told us he was happy we were going really well with Ireland, and wished us all the best in the summer, and said he’ll be watching. That was nice of him. There were a few emotional words in there, a lot of us were playing at lower levels when he bought us so there’s a lot of respect for him.

“It was understandable that he was a bit upset, but he said it straight as he always does. He’d built the squad and he brought in everyone in thatdressing room, bar one or two.

“He told us the main thing is to stay in the Premier League.’’

Some will argue the players could have shown their manager some more love in Sunday’s humiliating 5-1 home defeat to local rivals West Brom.

“I think we feel like we let him down, of course we do,” Wardadmitted. “Obviously, as player we feel we should be higher up the league but for whatever reason we’re not...so you feel a bit guilty.

“It’s a strange feeling. It’s the first time I’ve been around a club when this has happened. Everyone is very down around the club, it’s not nice especially when it’s someone who’s done so much for of a lot of us.”