Mick McCarthy insists Wolves are over last season's 'bashing' at Stoke

Mick McCarthy today vowed Wolves are over last season's "bashing" against Stoke after admitting they were "rubbish and hopeless" in the last Staffordshire derby.

Wolves seek their third successive home win when the Potteries side come to Molineux tomorrow, aiming to banish memories of the last time the sides met.

The 3-0 defeat at the Britannia Stadium in April was one of the lowest points of last season and led to even the most optimistic Wolves fans admitting they were going down before Survival Sunday.

But, eight months on, McCarthy believes the tide has turned.

He said: "We got bashed, we got murdered last time. They played well, but we were rubbish, hopeless.

"That has no bearing on this game though now – this is a different season and a different game. We've got to play them tomorrow and it's down to us to play well."

McCarthy believes Wolves will continue to pick up points if they play as well as they did last Saturday, despite losing 4-1 to Manchester United.

He said: "That's what we hope for. I thought we played well enough last weekend but we were just beaten by a better team.

"United were great and I thought Wayne Rooney was outstanding, different class. I didn't think we did a lot wrong but we ended up losing 4-1.

"But we've got other games where we've got to play as well as that and get something out of them."

Midfielder Jamie O'Hara insists Wolves are a different proposition to the team that capitulated in the Potteries.

He said: "That was a tough game for us but I think we're a different team this season.

"At home, our results have started to improve and we've got a game-plan of how we want to play now and we've got to stick to it."

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