This is THE game for Mick McCarthy
Friday 18th February 2011, 3:45PM GMT.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has left his players in no doubt as to the importance of the Black Country derby after declaring – “this is THE biggest game for the club.”
Sunday’s Hawthorns noon showdown against Albion is key to both club’s chances of beating the drop.
As it’s the only Premier League game this weekend, defeat would leave Wolves six points adrift, while a win by more than one goal would see them climb out of the drop zone – and above their arch-rivals on goal difference.
But recent history is against McCarthy’s side, as Wolves will be trying to win at the Hawthorns for the first time in nine visits since 1996.
He said: “It would be wrong of me to wind players up, but I got them on the training ground and said ‘you can pick any game you like, wherever you’re from – whether it be Ronald Zubar, who tells me it’s Marseille and the Paris teams, or Hearts and Hibernian in Scotland – and told them this is THE big game for this club.
“It would be a huge game even if it was a cup-tie with two divisions between us, so because we’re both in the Premier League and we both need points, it’s even bigger.
“So I have stressed the importance of this game and its significance for this club.
“There’s three points at stake in every game and that’s the pragmatic approach, but I understand the local feuding because as a player I used to embrace it.”
McCarthy also insisted his victory over a Liverpool side managed by new Baggies boss Roy Hodgson earlier in the season means nothing.
The Wolves boss said: “I don’t think Roy will carry any scars around and I don’t think it will have any bearing on it.”
Stephen Hunt was today ruled out for Wolves, while George Elokobi is fit after shaking off an ankle injury.
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