Mick McCarthy defends Nenad Milijas decision
Wednesday 24th November 2010, 12:30PM GMT.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today defended his decision to rest Nenad Milijas at Blackpool – as he hinted at sticking to his guns with 4-5-1 for Saturday’s crunch clash against Sunderland.
Milijas was replaced by David Jones for the 2-1 defeat at Bloomfield Road, although the Serb appeared within the first half-hour as McCarthy replaced Kevin Foley.
“Nenad had had four games in 11 days — for Serbia and then for us against Bolton, Arsenal and Manchester United,” said the boss.
“He’d played Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday and then played an international. We were trying to just give him a little break, although it didn’t work out like that.”
McCarthy has said the visit of the Black Cats is a ‘must-win’ and believes playing one up front is the best way of achieving three points.
“We’ve played better football that way and beat Man City playing one up front,” he said.
“Losing Dave Edwards, Adlene Guedioura and Karl Henry — who certainly makes us a stronger and more mobile midfield — makes it somewhat different. But it doesn’t stop us creating chances playing one up front.”
McCarthy believes playing 4-5-1 gives the team more chance of staying in games.
“It’s always been a mantra of mine to stay in games, but we’ve not even been in the game, never mind stayed in it,” he said. “We’ve been out of the game in three minutes over the last three games, which changes the whole way you play.”
Wolves have taken Mali international striker Mamadou Bagayoko on a week’s trial from Nice.
The 31-year-old, whose contract expires in June, has played just 28 minutes this season after being injured, then suspended. Marcus Bent’s loan is up in January, when 6ft 3ins Bagayoko, who scored once in 23 games last season, could be available for reportedly just £175,000.
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