Terry Connor: Relegation isn't end of the world for Wolves
Terry Connor today insisted relegation would not be the end of the world for Wolves.
Terry Connor today insisted relegation would not be the end of the world for Wolves.
The Molineux boss takes his rock-bottom side into tomorrow's 'do-or-die' battle against Manchester City knowing that if QPR beat Tottenham at home today they will need to beat the title hopefuls to have any chance of staying up.
Connor said: "It's not the end of the world, but a lot of people will feel the hurt – supporters, staff and players.
"The process of rebuilding starts right away and you hope to build again for the future.
"But there are things which are nearing the end of the world – such as what happened to Bolton at Tottenham and to Gary Speed, so football can sometimes be taken out of context."
Connor insists he has nothing to reproach himself for if Wolves are relegated – but admits he will be tarnished by it.
Wolves have taken just two points from 27 under Connor but he believes he has done all he can.
He said: "It's been a massive learning curve for me but, if I do it honestly and to the best of my ability, then I can't really reproach myself for anything.
"I have just tried to be really honest in everything I've done. So from that respect I've been able to sleep well at night."
Connor admits he will be forever associated with the stain of relegation if he takes Wolves down.
He said: "I won't be slightly tarnished by it, I will be tarnished by it.
"That's not a problem. I worked under Mick McCarthy for a number of years, so I'll be accepting whatever responsibility I have to take for the season.
"The last 13 games have been my responsibility. If we are relegated, people will probably say I am no good."
Strange as it may seem, Connor has tried to lift his players by showing them footage of their 5-0 defeat to Manchester United – before Ronald Zubar's pre-half-time red card that sparked the heavy defeat.
He said: "I showed the players some footage of the game and asked them whether they thought the gulf between the bottom and top was that big.
"They realised how well they had done before the sending off and that's given them stronger confidence."