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McCarthy lights the Blue touchpaper
Friday 3rd April 2009, 11:16AM BST.
Mick McCarthy has kicked off the countdown to the Championship heavyweight collision by challenging his side to inflict “real damage” to their immediate pursuers’ promotion hopes.
Leaders Wolves have the chance to go eight points clear of second-placed Blues at St Andrew’s in Monday’s eagerly-awaited showdown, after which there are five games left for the top two.
While the derby is a chance for each side to hit the other’s hopes, Wolves boss McCarthy wants his side to make the most of their final game against one of the promotion challengers this season.
Wolves’ other matches are against relegation-threatened Southampton – whose parent company have gone into administration – Barnsley and mid-table trio QPR, Derby and Doncaster.
By contrast, Blues face Preston and Reading – on the final day – while the Royals also play in-form Sheffield United in fourth.
McCarthy said: “I don’t look at our games and think they are any easier or harder, but we can do real damage on Monday to the opposition, whereas if you’re playing Southampton or Derby, you can’t.
“This is our last game against one of top five sides and we can put distance between us (Wolves and Blues) if we win.”
Nevertheless, McCarthy believes Wolves underestimate the opposition in their other games at their peril.
He said; “I know we’re not playing against any (more) of our direct competitors. If anyone can give us any help it would be greatly appreciated!
“We have to play Southampton, who are in administration. They will have that bit of adversity about them and the bit between their teeth because they want to stay up. 0
“That has give them something to fight for. We’ve seen from playing against Plymouth, Forest and Doncaster when they were down there how difficult those games can be.”
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Wise words. until absolutley certain it’s right not to celebrate early.
i would love an away win at blues but like most supporters think a draw would not be a bad result.
Come on the WOLVES.
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I think we should be positive and go for the win. To win at their ground and go 8 points clear would shatter their confidence totally
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Let’s hope Southampton do not fold before the end of the season (no, not just administration, complete closedown).
I understand that if they do fold all of their results will be wiped out. We would lose 3 points (6 if we beat them in a couple of weeks), blues would lose 6 points (they beat them twice) but Reading would only lose 1 point (they drew one and lost one to Saints).
Can anyone confirm this ?
This could have a major effect on the position at the top.
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As Wolves fans we would never be arrogant enough to celebrate before it’s happened, however it is looking likely and planning ahead is sensible. Sould be making enquiries to the below as these guys are either not in their current teams plans or out of contract, any 3 of these will give us a fighting chance along with a couple of players such as Ledley, Roger Johnson, Chris Eagles and Jermaine Beckford regarding:
Sidwell
Shorey
Huddlestone
Hutton
Bale
Aaron Ramsay (loan)
Dietar Hamann
Sol Campbell
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3 – I think Blues have won & lost against Southampton. But you are right all results will be annulled if the Saints. I hope for football’s sake they don’t. I don’t like to see any club go to the wall.
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5 – Blues beat Saints twice in the league and lost in the Carling Cup. They would be 6 points down if Southamprton go bust.
Reading would catch up 5 points on both Wolves and Blues (assuming we beat saints in a couple of weeks) without kicking a ball.
ET
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Further to the above nightmare scenario about Southampton, there is some logic behind a thought that it would be better for Wolves to lose against Southampton than win.
If Saints go bust the effect would be no different (we would have 3 points taken away instead of 6 but would lose the other 3 in the game) but if by beating Wolves they get out of the relegation zone and so become a better bet for potential buyers then we would benefit because Reading wouldn’t get their 5 points advantage on us at a cost of only 3 points.
Yes, I know it is twisted logic but could become reality !
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7… ET…..YOU NEED TO PHONE HOME MATE….HE HE HE……..COME ON YOU WOLVES….JUST WIN
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Hope we don’t lose. woteva happen’s we will still be top and that’s all that matter’s 4 now.
UP THE WOLVES
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ET
I would rather take the 3 points and let the administrators do their job, they would take that ling the season would be over.
As for the game, we both played sides that were not our first choice 11, I would hope for at least a point but 3 would be great.
Up the Wolves
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The right attitude, by that I mean how they respond if they are a goal down, and a bit of good fortune e.g. own goal. meteorite strike, quake etc. and who knows, it might not matter when Southampton mysteriously take three points from us.
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Forget all the crap with other clubs we are the WOLVES if we can’t win the the league on our own merrit we don’t deserve to go to the holly land get behind the boys.
COME ON ME BABBIES
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ET…. Southampton won’t collapse. They may go down but at this stage in the season with only weeks to go I doubt it very much even with the administrators in they will be saved.
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I agree with Sammy Chung,but then I always did, I think it is very unlikely that the Saints will fold.The people of Southanpton will fight to keep them alive,just as many fought to keep Wolves alive. We should never forget the part Jack Bird ,the Councillor, played in making sure we survived our second adminstation.
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ITS NOT OVER UNTIL THE FAT MAN SINGS
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Laughinwolf-Are you off THE APPRENTICE===Some yes some no lets get up first–If we go up as Champs plenty time to get players in—–Blues are the task I go for draw 2-2 One sending off-Win Home games we are there—Crazey Dave
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4. there are some rubbish players on that list
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ET it’s the parent company in admin not the saints so no chance of folding.Forget this rubbish.
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Everybodies a Manager—-He knows best have faith follow the dream—-Summon up the steal MM knows the way —Have Faith–Stop the Bull—- Come on you Wolves–Crazey Dave
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maltawolves – if the parent company goes into liquidation and no-one is interested in buying the football club then the club will also go into liquidation. The holding company have hardly any assets except for the football club.
raythewolf – just because you can’t see past your next bag of chips doesn’t mean there is not potentially a very difficult situation coming round the corner.
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Considering our club nearly folded it always sends a chill down the spine when another club is in the same situation. I don’t think any football fan would want to see any club fold. I’m not going to get carried away with this points crap. If they do fold it will take months for them to wind it up- I really don’t see this having an effect on our season.
Can’t wait for Monday. I truly believe Blues are gonna be on the end of a proper spanking. I see us taking a huge step towards the title, and removing what is left of Blues fragile confidence. I have not even checked how many times Reading have actually won since christmas but I think we will do them a huge favour Monday, and they will finish second.
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About Southampton they should not be underestimated. Weren’t they the first team to win at Reading? They will also be fighting for their lives.
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I agree with Bulgaria Wolves. Lets just do our talking on the pitch. Go out to win every match and we’ll be up and champions under our own steam, no matter what happens to another club. We are Wolves! 2-0 to the Wolves on Monday. Come on me babbies!
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