McCarthy reflects on transfer window

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has reflected on his transfer window frustration and insisted none of their rivals had significantly strengthened their squads.

The club failed in a final bid of £5million for Hull winger Stephen Hunt yesterday, while Crystal Palace right-back Nathaniel Clyne wanted more time to ponder a move after a bid was accepted by the Eagles' administrators.

Several other bids met with frustration, in a quiet window reflecting the difficult economic climate.

Of Wolves' rivals, West Ham and Hull brought a net two players in and Blackburn, Bolton and Wigan showed one more signing than departure. Only Burnley added significantly, signing five players and keeping striker David Nugent.

But McCarthy assured fans his two incoming deals, for on-loan Charleroi pair Geoffrey Mujangi Bia and Adlene Guedioura, will prove their Premier League quality.

The manager said: "I haven't seen anyone else doing much business that's going to strengthen other squads around us. The two new additions will definitely make us a stronger squad.

"They were both coming in regardless. They look two very good players who can play in the Premier League."

Mujangi was an insurance policy regardless of the end result of the Hunt pursuit, but Wolves still offered "way over the odds on three or four players" only for clubs not wanting to sell – in Hunt's case - or targets not wanting to join them.

McCarthy said: "We had a Plan B and C but they all got scuppered. It's only right and proper that people put prices up. If someone said to me 'I want to take Karl Henry, Kevin Doyle, Marcus Hahnemann and Jody Craddock,' I wouldn't want to sell them."

Survival will ultimately determine if the manager revisits the same targets in the summer.

He said: "If they're good enough now, then they'll be good enough in 13 weeks' time. But we need to be in the Premier League to be re-visiting any of those."

McCarthy, who discounted interest in old target Sunderland forward Daryl Murphy, admitted loan fees were prohibitive too.

The Wolves boss added: "Lots of players are available if you're prepared to pay, but it's not as easy as picking up the telephone – there's a loan fee involved."