McCarthy happy as derby underdog

Friday 19th March 2010, 11:31AM GMT.

McCarthy happy as derby underdog

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is relishing being the underdog in the West Midlands derby at Villa.

Unbeaten in the Premier League in 2010, the champions League-chasing claret and blues are big favourites to overcome McCarthy’s side on home soil.

Wolves have not beaten Villa in 15 meetings going back to March 1980.

But, having done the double over Tottenham, McCarthy is hopeful of causing an upset.

He said: “Villa are chasing a Champions League spot and we’re trying to stay out of the bottom three. There’s a disparity of experience and ability and in terms of the stature of the clubs, because they’ve been in the Premier League for so long.

“We’re not complaining, but it will be a hell of a game though. I don’t mind being the underdog – it gives me more pleasure when I win.

“We’re all wanting points for something, whether it’s Europe or to stay in the league, or just kudos and trying to finish as high up the league as you possibly can.”

McCarthy accepts the weight of history is against his team.

But the manager believes their record should act as an incentive.

He said: “You know my thoughts on that, don’t you? It’s about time we did something about it. I never subscribe to the theory that just because you keep getting nothing, it won’t change, because it will always turn around.

“I’ll always remember Cardiff coming here (January 2007 lost 2-1). They hadn’t won for 13 games and I knew, no matter how we were going to play, that they had something on us.

“We got beat by a goal from Jason Byrne, a lad who came over from Ireland, played one game, scored one goal and went back! So it happens.”


  1. 1
    spanish ray

    Dream on McCarthy

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  2. 2
    English Exile

    The best form of defence is attack……….. oh forget it you can’t talk to a closed mind.
    Villa to win EASY.

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  3. 3
    niknaklady

    Take a hike Ray. Im sick of people knocking Mick. Why arent you doing the job if you know so much?

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  4. 4
    Moxey's great

    not beaten them since 1980? must be forgetting the pre-season friendly in 88 when Bully Smashed home from 20 yards

    “hardest shot I have ever seen” – Nigel Spink

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  5. 5
    Tomwolf

    Its good to be the underdogs, Ashley Young seems to think its just a matter of them turning up as they’ve not lost in 2010. So there’s no pressure on us whatsoever lets just go there and give 100% and who knows? We all know football as a habit of kicking you in the teeth when you least expect it, its happened to us many times in the past. And listening to lots of Villa fans last night on radio WM their going to stuff us by 4-0 4-1 5-0 5-1 cocky gits. Lets just hope the old saying turns out right ‘he who laughs last laughs longest’.GOOD LUCK FOR TOMMOROW LADS UTW.

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  6. 6
    Mr K Muscat

    Let me guess, tomorrow were going 4-5-1.. hoping for a lucky break?!

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  7. 7
    rudolf

    1-2 to Wolves, Iwelumo to come on and score the winner!

    Up the Wolves!!

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  8. 8
    shewolf

    Good luck to Wolves tomorrow, will be cheering you on.

    Would be nice to see Doyle get a goal tomorrow, his tenacity should have earned him more goals than his current tally.

    I think we can just sneak a point, dare I hope for the win?

    Altogether now Chim Chimney….

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  9. 9
    St. Louis Wolf

    Very though game this weekend. Villa have already beaten Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelski this season and deserve there shot at a top four finish.
    They are one of the fastest teams in the PL so Berra and Craddock better be ready. Villa also have a reputation this season for being very fast out of the blocks; they score first and then are able to dictate the game.
    I’d be happy to baton down the hatches and weather the storm and come out of Villa Park with a point.
    UTW
    On a different note “the Hoff” didn’t impress many folks on his Bristol City debut; Only time will tell

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  10. 10
    Simon in Oklahoma!

    Villa will expect to just turn up & assume they’ll win…and they usually they do!

    My first encounter at Villa Park was in the League Cup…Wolves were 2-1 up with a couple of minutes left. Andy Gray sent off & we lost 3-2. Pretty well every match since has been equally disappointing.

    But we did win one there once. A friendly, & I think Bull & Mutch both scored. Anyone else remember that one?

    0-0 would be a magnificent result tomorrow.

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  11. 11
    Golden Balls

    If McCarthy keeps us up, for me it’s job done! let him be judged on next season once he has a summer to build and actually attract a few more decent players. The whingers aren’t going to achieve anything as there’s no way he’ll be going right now. So sing your bloody hearts out and hope we can nick something from a pacey Villa team. UTW :-)

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  12. 12
    Who_Are_Villa? WE_Are Wolves!

    2-0 to Wolves tomorrow :) Iwelumo and Doyle will score!!

    Who are Villa??????

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  13. 13
    knocker

    Just read the latest transfer rumours,Villa having a mini clear out,Sidwell&Shorey would be good signings for us if we stay up…Also we should be looking at the likes of Bullard(HULL)Dindane and O’Hara(Portsmouth)

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  14. 14
    moseleywolf

    they love to counter attack – we wont venture into their half during the 1st half as we will being solid.

    they will get frustrated and take risks …

    …..fancy us to win this one nil…you heard it here 1st !!!

    UTW !!!!

    ps come on portsmouth tomorrow !!!!! lol

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  15. 15
    Malvern Wolf

    Trust in MICMAC, there’s a big shock happening tomorrow!

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  16. 16
    Whispy Wolf Returns

    Meirhoffer is Tall
    He fires blanks Is small
    Doyley rag is Class
    And Zubar is an Ass

    Lets upset The Villa

    c’mon me Babbies

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  17. 17
    truewolves

    trust english exile and spanish ray to offer thier support/not. lol

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  18. 18
    Hoffer

    I LOVE YOU STEFAN ! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

    he is bril.

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  19. 19
    Wulfrun Alpha Male

    I’m not so sure Villa will have it all their own way. They are at home and the league table tells you they are better than us this season but they lack a bit of imagination I think at home and against a packed defense in a derby atmosphere I wouldn’t be that surprised if we got a draw.

    A win would be great though. If we can keep a clean sheet for the first twenty minutes then we might be on to something. I think we also need to play Foley against Young as I’m not sure Zubar will be up to it.

    Anyway UTW

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  20. 20
    purewolves

    Niknaklady Love your comment! Dont the Managers in the stand get on your nerves. Where are they, in the crowd not in the dug out.

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  21. 21
    The Cullis Dome

    Three positives to start with: they are liable to be over-confident, they played on Tuesday, unusually we’re coming off an away win. In addition, we should have a more or less unchanged team…

    Come on the Wolves….they’re beatable!

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  22. 22
    kilkenny wolf

    i predict a great game of skill, slick passing and a footballing lesson for the rest of europe as to how fantastic this premier league malarky is….or thats how sky sports would have us believe! another scrap, hopefully another vital point (or 3!) – we have to score first tho with the current 4-5-1 system. CMON YOUUUUUUUUUUU WOOOOOOOOOLVES!!!

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  23. 23
    SteveB

    The Villa games are the big ones for me this season – It’s what being in the Prem is about. I hope we put in a better performance than we did against Burnley away.. I know we won, but our play was poor – especially compared to our games against Man Utd and Bolton.

    Wouldn’t it be nice to play well and win a game – especially if it’s against the Villa!!!

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  24. 24
    DingMcDougle

    Kevin Doyle is the biggest waste of 6M quid
    and needs dropping for the Villa match,his
    goal scoring record is pityfull and all he
    tends to do is run about like a headless chicken.
    TEAM FOR VILLA:
    Hahnemann,Foley,Craddock,Berra,Zubar,
    Jarvis,Milijas,Henry,Guedioura,Keogh,Iwelumo.

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  25. 25
    BULLY FURY

    We havent got an hope in hell`s chance,lets rest a few players and take a chance on beating west ham.

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  26. 26
    colin in bedford

    Simon in Oklahoma, ‘oh what a beautiful mornin’ if we could do it.
    But seriously,anything is possible, we have drawn with Villa and Everton and beaten Spurs twice, and the gold cup unbeatables were thrashed today.

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  27. 27
    kiddy wolf

    Zubar is surely gonna give away a peno tomorrow. i’d take a point.

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  28. 28
    Golden Blood

    Spanish ray – I am surprised you can get motivated to wake up i the morning. It must be a massive weight round your neck. All that negativity weighing you down.

    Go on, name 4 positive things about Mick tenure. I dare ya.LOL

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  29. 29
    Mickey(mouse)Mccarthy

    Nice to see Mick feels like the underdog again,last time was against Man u and he rested the first team to save them for a game they had a chance of winning! or maybe he’ll play defenders in all positions again and try for a point, Who knows what he thinks it’s hard to read the mind of a genius, Great tactics Mick, your a winner……Not!
    Villa to take all 3 points and another step closer to the drop. Gotta feel sorry for you wolves fans he’s a clown and should have been gone a long time ago.

    c’mon Villa

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  30. 30
    rockwolf

    Difficult tomorrow! I will be in the Villa end with a Villa mate. How they can charge us £43 a ticket yet the home tickets are £28 is beyond me. Arsenal £34!

    Karma I hope but the bookies are rarely wrong 17-2 for an away win? I will spend the money I saved in having to sit in the away end at the bookies!!!

    Come on you Wolves

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  31. 31
    john

    To all those who support mm with blind faith, we are really up against it here, this is a side chasing a top 4 slot and a local derby.
    They will not take us likely but feel they have enough in attack and defence to win comfortably and they do if they play well. If they score early doors if all but over, as they will pick us off on the break, when we over commit players in attack to get a goal back. Villa dont give fluke goals away like burnley, so we will actually have to take one or two of the chances we create to have any chance.

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  32. 32
    Smithy

    Twonk, apart from the signing of Doyle and Hannaman you have no choice in having to relish being the under dog in Saturdays game against the Villa,

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  33. 33
    mossman

    My forecast Villa [Singing in Euro Contest] 0 Wolves [Underdogs] 4 …………Come on

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  34. 34
    JACK the HAT.

    So Craddock and Hahnniman have signed new contracts.They’d be too old to play in “Last of the summer wine”, wouldn’t they.

    ~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

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  35. 35
    JACK the HAT.

    Wolves ought to have a new signature tune, Cliff
    Richards “Summer Holiday” springs to mind.Thats
    got a BUS in it.

    ~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

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  36. 36
    JACK the HAT.

    (post 5)

    Tom,

    Why lie,you’re standing on the trap door,yet you
    say no pressure on woolfs.Come off it.Who’re you
    trying to kid.I can hear your knees knocking from
    here.

    ~~~~BOING~~~~BOING~~~~JtH.

    Report abuse

  37. 37
    Albrightondek

    Much though I would love Wolves to beat Villa, I think the best we can realistically hope for is boring 0-0 draw.

    In my view I would rest both Doyle and Jarvis, and play Iwelumo & Blake (or Keogh). The more important game is on Tuesday against West Ham, where I believe we do have a good better chance of picking up points.

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  38. 38
    The Usual Suspects

    Good luck boys against the Villa – Imv its good that Villa fans feel we will be a ‘pushover’ and they just have to turn up – I bet Spurs fans felt the same!!!

    Cmon me Babbiiiiieees!!!

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  39. 39
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    Come on you guys today,much as i hate to say it id sooner you lot stop up than vile get 4th place,win today and your all but safe,good luck,see you next season in prem,aye boing boing

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  40. 40
    Stoke on Trent Wolf

    Could do with something from this because if not we will probably have to go to Upton Park and win. I do fear Hull, a feisty new manager and Bullard who can run the show on his own We need to stay ahead of them to survive.

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  41. 41
    Filthy Wolf

    I don’t get the reliance on one formation. Even my kids playing FIFA 2009 on the Xbox knows enough to change formations when playing different teams, why not Mick? And the comments? Basically summed up by ‘even losers will win one’. Oh great. That’ll keep us up then. This season the biggest boosts to survival have not been on the pitch or off the pitch, but outside our influence – Portsmouth losing 9 points, Hull and Burnley changing managers. Thank God Hull picked Dowie and Burnley Laws else it might be even worse.

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  42. 42
    English Exile

    28 Golden Blood.
    Quote ”Go on, name 4 positive things about Mick tenure. I dare ya.LOL”

    I defy anyone, let alone Spanish Ray, to name 4 positive things Negative Mick has done.

    You really must have rose tinted glasses on.

    Report abuse

  43. 43
    BULLY FURY

    If id have known we had 1200 tickets left i would have gone to game,thought we might sell out.

    Report abuse



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