Season definer for Mick McCarthy

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has declared his team have reached a 'season defining' moment after admitting they need an immediate series of wins to get out of trouble.

McCarthy's side go to Blackpool tomorrow for a potentially pivotal game in their campaign after eight defeats in 10 games left them five points from safety.

He said: "It is a defining period of our season. Look at the table.

"We might be eight points from the top 10, but we've only got nine points now, so how do we get another eight points without anyone else getting any?

"We don't want to be in the bottom three, so we've got to get wins and we have to get them as quick as we can. We can't wait any longer."

McCarthy has called on his players to believe they will soon be in a 'good place.'

He said: "I believe you have bad times and good times in a season.

"The only way it's going to change is by believing we're going to have good times and to keep playing the way we have.

"We'll get a break, but we need it pretty damn quick. We'll have a good spell. Now is a good time to start.

"We've got to and I believe we will."

Almost exactly a year ago, Wolves' morale hit rock bottom with a home defeat against Birmingham to prompt widespread soul-searching before winning three in four.

McCarthy admitted Wolves need a similar run now.

He said: "We need that same level of results. But I don't think we're in that same state we were in then.

"The players aren't and, although there's disappointment, there's no disillusionment.

"There were some hard words said then because that was a really abject performance, but we haven't had that at all this time."

McCarthy looks set to hand an immediate recall to fit-again Christophe Berra alongside Richard Stearman at the expense of Steven Mouyokolo, who has also shaken off a knee injury.

Wolves look set to switch to 4-5-1, with Sylvan Ebanks-Blake expected to make way.