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Mick: I can take this criticism
Friday 4th December 2009, 11:30AM GMT.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today admitted he sometimes feels like he is carrying the ‘weight of Wolverhampton’ – but vowed to take criticism on the chin.
Six months since guiding Wolves to the Championship title, McCarthy has gone from hero to villain in the eyes of some as the team struggle in the Premier League.
But the 50-year-old accepts the good comes with the bad in the countdown to tomorrow’s clash against Bolton.
“You have the weight of the city and the gratitude of the city on your shoulders and you have whatever else comes with it on the negative side if it’s not going well,” said McCarthy.
“But that’s the way of the world – that’s a football manager’s role.
“If you don’t accept that, you’ve got a problem, so you have to take the plaudits and the grief that goes with it. You have to keep plugging away and try to turn it around.”
McCarthy admitted the pressure will be cranked up with every defeat, and revealed the heavy losses against Arsenal and Chelsea had taken far more out of his players than he realised.
“That’s the way it’s going to be,” he said. “I didn’t know it at the time, but the Arsenal and the Chelsea games took more of a toll than I thought.
“Maybe that had a lasting hangover that we took into the Birmingham game and then to concede a wonder goal after three minutes, whatever bit of confidence we had, was drained out of us.”
But he remains convinced he can lead Wolves to safety.
“I believe we can turn it around because there might be teams seven points in front of us who might lose two and if we win one, it suddenly changes completely,” he said. “If we win one and draw one, we’re suddenly right behind them and they might start twitching – and it will happen.”
McCarthy revealed how the players had an open forum after watching the DVD of the Blues game.
“The lads watched the DVD – I left it to them and they analysed it,” he said. “They enjoyed it because they had an open forum where there was no staff present.”
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52 games played in this league only 5 won,say no more
MICK OUT MICK OUT
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We will turn this around the only unexpected result is v Blues who by all accounts are a very good side. If we can win our next 2 home games and get a point from Man City at home we will outside the relegation zone for the new year. Spurs and United – ANYTHING IS A BONUS. I think a back to basics approach is needed and lets play a team that performed well 3 games back I suggest v Bolton:
Hahnemann
Foley
Craddock
Mancienne
Ward
Milijas
Henry
Castillo
Jarvis
Keogh
Doyle
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We have players such as Ebanks Blake, Halford, The Hoff if a change in tactics is needed.
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The reason we are angry Mick is because you pick a different team every week and have bought all these players and none of them are any good except Doyle.
We was promised Premiership experience by the “Three M’s” in the Summer and what do we get? Nothing.
Another season of false promises!
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I am right behind you MM. You are the Manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club and although sometimes I don’t agree with some things, I have the utmost respect for you and I know you will turn it around. I have said many times that we won’t end up half way up the table but we will be playing Premiership Football next season. We as a football club have to put Birmingham behind us now and should be forgotten as a bad day at the office. Up until then I don’t think we have played to badly. Come on lads you have Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool to play and you can beat these teams stop giving them too much respect. We can do this.
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i wonder if at the end of the season if there is money in the bank account not spent if moxey will get a bonus
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Mick, you might be able to take the Criticism but
frnakly, I can’t take much more of your team selections and tactics.
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McCarthy is a good honest bloke, I’m sticking on his side as I know how fickle our fans are. I hear it every match day, most of the time they are arguing between themselves or making empty threats.
It’s pathetic, Just back the team and the manager instead of moaning all the time. Mick will not be sacked this half of the season at least so either get over that fact or find another club to support, that’s what I say.
And if anyone wants to call me a happy clapper, then feel free, that word is banded about too freely on this site and its usually southbankwolves or Bobwolf (the tesco bag) who writes it anyway.
UTW
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Laughingwolf
Good team but is Foley fit yet?
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Don’t care. Can you keep us up though?
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I think we need to get a grip here, no one really thought we would get anything out of Chelsea or Arsenal so really the only thing has changed that we lost to Birmingham….
We have had a couple of poor results earlier but we also had some draws which no one thought we would get, how many of us hand on heart thought we would come back from 2-0 down at Stoke. A win tomorrow and it will be completely different. We need to stick with the team and MM until Xmas if we are then bottom then just get used to the fact we are going down and look forward to the Champions party again the year after.
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drop henry and edwards and play castillo and milijas keep ebanks blake on with doyle beacuse with a decent midfield behind him he will actually get some decent balls through. AND PLEASE SIGN SOL CAMPBELL!!!
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I’m sorry Mick but you’ve brought a lot of this on youself with your tactics and constantly playing players out of position whilst seemingly ingnoring the likes of Milijas, Castillo, Surman and Maeirhofer.
How about this team for Saturday;
Hanehman
Foley
Ward
Mancienne
Stearman
Castillo
Jarvis
Milijas
Doyle
Maeirhofer
Surman
Subs, Ebanks Blake, Keogh, Edwards, Berra, Elokobi, Hennesey, Mendez Laing
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So you’re going to take it on your shoulders!
No you ain’t thick Mick, I seem to remember having a go at people who were posting criticism on these boards before, and look what you did with Roy Keane when he criticized you, you must think we are all as thick as you
Just do us a favor and go
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We must look far further than MM who i believe still has favourites and does not have a clue what his best team is.
I said yesterday we will never know what goes on behind the board rooms door but we have to look at everyone, we spent nothing really in the championshipespecially when we got the extra for the Lescott deal. I would love someone to replay the interview with Moxey where he said we would not do an Albion and we have worked out the reasons why clubs who get promoted so straight back down and ask him what changed. I’ve never been a MM fan but i dont think you will find this is all his fault.
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I do think we still have a team in there somewhere? that can finish 16/17th. We brought to many players in the summer that were no better than we already had. I think Mick is now confused and doesn’t know his best team 25 players all of the same quality (Championship) 2 or 3 lower prem quality. A good manager could mould these players into a team that could survive, I am afraid that Mick has probably reached the end of the road if he doesn’t find the right blend and stick to it soon.
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People who keep putting Jarvis in there team must watch something different to me he is rubbish and was for most of last year, lightweight and the worst crosser of a ball, i’d rather move ward up or play one of the youth team can’t do any worse.
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Im getting tired of wolves fans moaning have u thought about blaming your selfs for lack of cofidence in the team by booing the team! May b results wil change by getting behind the team. Super mick mccarthy!
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8) Mccarthy is a good honest Championship Manager.
Let him manage Plymouth or Blackpool, or other sides on meager budgets.
We may not have a divine right to be in the Premiership, but as long as there are teams like Birmingham, Bolton, Hull, Pompey, Burnley etc in the top20 then we bloody well should be too
Up the Wolves!
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If the fans treat tomorrow as a massive game, come out raring to go, close down the opposition at every opportunity and chase every ball down then we’ll be fine.
If we stand off, give Bolton time and space, don’t put in a challenge then we will lose again.
If the fans are up for it, sing their hearts out for the lads, get behind the team and stay positive, we will win.
If the fans don’t turn up, get on the players backs or don’t support the team, we will lose.
I think we know that Milijas needs to be in the team if we want to have any kind of midfield experience and creativity.
Back to basics.
Get behind the team.
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I would not agree with some of the comments above to drop Henry. A poor performance last week but has generally played his part this season.
However, I do think we need some more creativity in the midfield. Milijas should play at the expense of one of the wingers. As Kightly is now sidelined for a few weeks, this should not be a problem.
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what is the point in all you moaning about summer signings? Bit late boys.
Lets look to this weekend and hopefully 3 points. I know a lot of you dont think he’s up to it but i think elokobi would be useful against bolton as they play so physically and our defence last week was really small.
Looking to january….. i think reo-coker would be a great signing if we could get him.
Sol Campbell possibly, not quite sure if he is still up to it. What about a cheeky loan bid for david bentley? I dont think he’s getting a look in at spurs…. correct me if im wrong.
UTW!
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Nice comment Loyal-Cannock Wolf, my sentimants exactly, but we can only hope that the MM haters find a new club and quick.
As for the team on Saturday I would go with – 4-3-3:
Hahnemann.
Stearman.
Craddock.
Berra.
Ward.
Jarvis.
Henry.
Milijas.
Doyle.
SEB.
Maierhofer.
Subs; Hennessey,Edwards,Keogh,Mancienne,Castillo,Hill,Surman.
We are Wolves……..Super,Super Mick, Super, Super Mick, Super Mick McCarthy!
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Greener, do you attend any games The support this season home and away has been fantastic and the only booing has been at half time and full time of the Blues game. Surely when the game has finished is the time for the fans to show how they feel. The perfomrance on Sunday was unacceptable and if we just sit and clap a performance like that I would question peoples sanity.
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There`s some managers who are simply not good
enough for the Premiership ie. Megson,Mowbray,
and McCarthy,if Jez Moxey was to get a new man in
then Iam sure Wolves could survive,if you look
through the squad I can see lots of quality
but it needs some fresh ideas.
Possible Wolves Team:
Hennessey
Halford
Craddock
Berra
Ward
Jarvis
Henry
Milijas
Keogh
Mairhofer
Doyle.
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If Mick can take Criticism then Morgan has pumped 30m into the club.
Seriously this guy is not up to the task and the sooner we get rid the sooner we have a chance of staying up
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Someone mentioned Warnock of Palace replacing McCarthy, which to my mind is not a bad idea.
He has the guts and resolve to save our club, and unlike McCarthy, as the writer of the post indicated, has enough ‘balls’ to stand up to the Management and be counted.
The words ‘defeat and relegation’ are not tolerated in his presence, and one or two players I know who have had exposure to Warnock, have been assured that the players respect him, and go the extra ‘mile’ every week.
I also know, as I am sure many close to Wolves know already, thet Mick is not popular with the players and an object of ridicle.
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johnwolf – I only hope you find some medication and quick too.
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i know things aint been so good, but we wouldnt even be here without you mick, lay off this bloke for gos sake did any one really think this would be easy, hes still the man for the job in my books!!!!
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I think we all knew it was going to be a tough season and the vast majority will accept defeats if they can see that the players are performing at 100% of their ability and their is a clear game plan.In the doomed campaign of 2003/4 the one thing that the side at that time always showed was ‘fight’.They lacked the necessary ability. I believe that,on the whole, we have a more talented bunch of players this time around and,whilst we have been unfortuante with injuries to a number of key players,the constant change of line-up and apparent game plan has definitely hampered the team’s performances.When we have had a game plan that all the players seem comfortable with E.g;at Wigan, we have done well.It is the constant changing of formation and players positions that does not help – players like Halford,Mancienne,Stearman,Edwards,Keogh are moved around so much they must get dizzy !
If we play to our strengths and show the required ‘fight’ then the fans will stick with you Mick – even if we are losing.
Pick the best players available for each position tomorrow (no more square pegs in round holes) and we will be ok !
UTW
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There’s some happy clappers on here today, only unexpected result was Birmingham! What about Pompey and Hull at home? Loyal-Cannock-Wolf you’re definitely one, and as for johnwolf you going to follow thick Mick to another club when he’s sacked you plonker?
Look at thick Mick’s record, it speakes for it’s self
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18 greener, what an idiot you are no wonder were are in the trouble we are with idiots like you who know nothing about foofball.
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If you live, eat, sleep and breath every moment with your team, how can you not sense that two crushing defeats would take a toll on your players???
And what is this bs about Moxey speaking for Morgan about him having sleepless nights??? Why can’t Morgan speak for himself? What about the fans that paid big money for season tickets and are getting a really poor return on their money?
MM needs to quit alking to the press about everything and anything – he has even commented on the childish spat going on between Wenger and Hughes!!! Who cares what he thinks about that? Enough already!!! Focus on beating Bolton and bringing a ray of light back for the fans.
COME ON YOU WOLVES!!!
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Mick the only thing that`s been consistent this season is you incompetence,your inability to pick a regular eleven,your inability to come up with worthwhile tactics and your inability to install confidence.Don`t blame injuries because we are supposed to have a squad not just a team.We were promised the earth at the start of the season but you trying to do it on the cheap never took off and now look where we are.PLEASE GO MICK AND TAKE MUPPET MOXEY WITH YOU.
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Im behind you mick 100% your the best manager i have seen down the wolves, but i think if we lose your on your bike.
Team for bolton –
hahnemann
foley berra craddock ward
edwards henry miljas jarvis
hoff doyle
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I dont know anymore I really dont.. I give up!!! Come on wolves get a grip!!
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It is quite apparent that we do not have any class players we try and play football by passing but unfortunatly they are incapable of ONE touch football, it is always THREE touch football. We need a mid-field general, whilst HENRY tries he is not good enough and has no vision always passing sideways.
Its about time FOLEY was in the team so my team would be|-
HEHNEMANN
FOLEY
BERRA
STEARMAN
MANCIENNE
MILIJAS
CASTILLO
EDWARDS
DOYLE
EBANKS-BLAKE
MAIRHOFER
Whilst its not perfect at least we have some people who have some ability to play one touch football if required.
The other problem when we play the long ball to our two small forwards is the ball goes streight back into mid-field, and our
midfield is playing catch up because they have had to go too far back to help the defence because the full backs MM has been selecting have not been good enough.
Its nice to see that at last MM has admitted he takes notice of the fans comments ,or is it media talking?
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I am sick and tired of our manager and players running their mouths about how they are going to turn things around!!! We dont care what you have to say. We want you to do your job on the field every week and SHOW US that you can get it done!!!
Please stop with the stupid comments in the newspaper!!!
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“The lads watched the DVD – I left it to them and they analysed it,” he said. “They enjoyed it because they had an open forum where there was no staff present.”
So what you are saying Mick, they are better off without you?
…but, I’m going to stick my neck out & say we’ll beat Bolton & never look back.
3-1 Wolves!
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We are all passionate wolves fans, we all know better than the manager, yet it seems we all pick a different first eleven from each other. Seems to me we are no better than MM. The only difference is he shoulders the blame for buying rubbish.
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OUT OF DARKNESS COMETH LIGHT!!! COMMON ME BABIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wolves 2 – 1 Bolton
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If we lose tomorrow with another weird team selection with two tough away games do we still get behind MM. Is this expectable?
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20 – If only the fans could get out on the pitch and close the opposition down – then we would have a team! Until then lets have all the Southbank on their feet and giving it everything. Wolves 2 – 1 Bolton. Tomorrow is as must win as a game in December can be.
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What makes me laugh is people who keep including Craddock, Berra, Henry and Edwards in their team and leaving out the likes of Foley, Milijas, Castillo, Mancienne and Surman who are more superior footballers with far better technique which we desperately need.
Why pick the same central defence and midfield which has failed us so far and will take us down if we don’t change it as was proven in the Birmingham shambles?
Wake up Wolves fans! Henry, Edwards, Berra and Craddock are championship players at best. Craddock may have scored three goals but he is not good enough defensively by a long shot. We need the pace and technique of Mancienne, and Stearman/Zubar in the centre of defence and for crying out loud Mick play fullbacks not centre backs at full back please!
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Well, I’m going to “dust myself down” tomorrow, climb into the car and head up to Molineux from a wet South coast. Please make it worth my while lads.
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Good luck tomorrow to Mick and the lads
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spot on lowerpenn………if its obvious to us why is it not obvious to thick mick ?
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not a big mcarthy fan myself and his honest appraisals are wearing thin, however we have had some players that have been injured, and some of our better players ( the few we have got)his selections are as puzling as some of the scribers on here, craddock not good enough in prem when he was 5 years younger, we were always going to be in trouble if he was near the 1st team,bera struggled in championship did ok against a powder puff fulham, dave edwards has played more games in prem than championship and he was woeful in that, what we need to do is get behind the lads for the next few games and if results have not picked up a defeat to burnley should see mcarthy gone,
what we need to do to stop up. best team when all are fit
in goal henes or hanah
rb foley
ch stearman
ch zubar
lb buy 1 in jan play ward 4 now
lm play surman buy 1 in jan
cm henry or castillo buy 1 in jan
cm millijas
rm kights when fit play doyle in the hole
cf the hoff or big chris to add a focal point to the attack.
cf blake,
use this system to get doyle on the ball running at goal feeding little passes into the forwards, and picking up the lay offs from the big men, switching constanly from 4-4-2 to a more fluid 4-3-3
how can anyone have jarvis in their team after the noses!! stephen carr packed up football 12 months ago because he though his leg had gone and jarvis had an opportunity to run him in the first 10 mins and bottled it because he realised that carr would have put him in the lower tier of the bull stand, i dont like to see cowards in a wolves shirt, say what you like about karl henry you lot but at least he never hides or shirks even if he aint quite good enough,
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drop ebanks, keogh needs to play with doyle. Why not play 3-5-2 / 5-3-2. three centre defenders and 2 fullback/wingers, 3 in midfield, keogh in the hole behind doyle and mairhofer.
Fullbacks could work as defence and attacking, re-inforcing defence and midfield when required.
DO NOT PLAY HALFORD PLEASE GOD PLEASE
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43. Noisy
Even if we packed a million singing fans into the stadium, the team would still be CR*P!
If you want to see some decent football, then sing for McCarthy to take his hook!
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I can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel, just another oncoming train!
To the 4M’s, please lighten our lives and leave Wolverhampton once and for all, you are all past your sell-by dates.
ONE DAY, OUT OF DARKNESS WILL COME LIGHT!
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With the team disintegrating it is disappointing that our Chairman cannot give us a statement of his future intent.
Getting Moxey to tell us that he is loosing sleep is not good enough!
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Of course you can take criticism MM, thats why you call the fans nuggets.
We may have won yesterday, but that must surely be a temporary reprieve.
Let’s have a settled side, replacing ebanks blake with another striker, the rest of the rteam from yesterday should be left alone.
Just want to add praise for Edwards,he runs and runs the whole game and after Doyle is my player of the season so far
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