Collins believes McCarthy will shine

Defender Neill Collins believes Wolves boss Mick McCarthy will be given time to see the job through as he continues to build his young squad.

Collins became the latest player to commit his long term future to Wolves when he signed a four-year contract yesterday.

The 24-year-old Scottish defender followed Wayne Hennessey, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Sam Vokes and Richard Stearman to sign for four years or more in recent months.

Collins reckons McCarthy is building a young team brimming with potential – the same as he tried to do at Sunderland.

While McCarthy was sacked at Sunderland after trying to stay in the Premier League on a shoestring, Collins is convinced the former Republic of Ireland chief will be allowed time at Molineux.

He said: “You look at what he did at Sunderland who were able to go straight back up after they went down.

“They spent a bit of money but the gaffer had left good young players there who were the backbone of the team.

“People like Nyron Nosworthy, Dean Whitehead and Daryl Murphy are still there and playing in the Premier League.

“He’s doing the same here and I think he’ll be given the time to see it through that he maybe wasn’t quite given at Sunderland.

“Kevin Foley, Michael Kightly and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake are players a lot of other teams want but they’re committed to Wolves, which is great.”

Collins admitted McCarthy was the main reason he has decided to commit to Wolves.

“One of the big reasons I wanted to stay was the gaffer – that was one of the big reasons I came in the first place.”

“I liked the thought playing for him and hopefully I’ll play for him for a long time.

“The gaffer works with a lot of players individually and when he first got hold of me at Sunderland when I was a younger player, he was very good with regards to what I needed to work on.

“He made good decisions for me in terms allowing me to go out on loan to Hartlepool which was a big thing.”

If respect for a manager is anything to go by then McCarthy is on the road to success with Wolves, according to Collins.

He said: “He helps me and the other players because you can always talk to him.

“That’s one of the best things about playing for him – how straightforward he is.

“I can understand why people think he’s intimidating but I’ve never known any of the lads try to speak to him about a problem and he’s turned them away, which is a good characteristic.

“He has a good relationship with a lot of the players and you can see that by the players he’s brought in. The players that have committed themselves to stay have all mentioned the gaffer.

“So he has a big part to play in the future of this club as do the players, chairman and Jez.”

Gary Breen’s departure at the heart of the defence has opened up a gap on and off the pitch, with Breen the most experienced and one of the most vocal in the dressing room.

Richard Stearman’s arrival will bolster the back four but Breen’s exit means there may be something of a vocal presence to make up. Collins is only 24 but he believes he can fill the breach.

He said: “I heard an interview with Rio Ferdinand where he was talking about needing as many captains on the park as possible which is right.

“With us losing Breeny that’s one less here because he was always very vocal.

“Naturally I’m also vocal and I’ve got to build on that as well as continue to learn things as well.

“I’ll be looking to take more responsibility which I’m sure all the other players are as well and that’s what the manager will want from us.

“The more people we’ve got doing that the better.

“Sylvan is a similar character up front and Andy Keogh has got a lot of experience now having played a lot of games so we’re all looking to step up.

“It’s certainly not a shy dressing room and we’ve got Jody and possibly Micky Gray in the dressing room who are great people who we can learn from.”

Collins wasn’t without his detractors at times last season but is grateful for the chance to start with a clean slate and has relished the return to training.

He said: “There was disappointment on the last day against Plymouth and everyone was gutted.

“That’s still on your mind in some respects but there’s a blank sheet of paper for everyone.

“You can see from everyone how keen we all to be here. The new boys have all fitted in really well.

“New signings are always made really welcome and that’s a good thing.”

With no one guaranteed a place, Collins’s ability to slot in at full-back or in central defence gives McCarthy options.

He said: “As long as I’ve got a jersey I’m happy. You have got to be able to play in different positions if required.”