Wolves boss hits back at criticism

Sunday's defeat against Birmingham triggered criticism from fans frustrated that the Championship-winning squad wasn't strengthened enough in the summer.

McCarthy brought in nine players for around £18m, but of those, only club record £6.5m signing Kevin Doyle has made any significant impact so far.

Other major signings such as Ronald Zubar and Nenad Milijas have only had limited time on the pitch as they have adjusted to the pace of the Premier League. But the Wolves boss remains satisfied with his business in the August window and is determined to make it work.

"I was happy with the players we got –and still am," said McCarthy. "I was really delighted with what we brought in and it's for us not to rue what we might, or could, or should have done, but make it work with what we've got.

"That's the important thing. And I'm not going to be bemoaning what I could or couldn't do.

"It's up to us – the players and the staff – to make it happen. Experience is great, but everyone was telling us last year – even though we were in a different league – how important experience is. And we did it and we won it.

"There's plenty of experience here, it's just Premier League experience we haven't got lots of."

McCarthy admitted the Premier League know-how of players such as Lee Bowyer, Stephen Carr and Barry Ferguson made a difference for Blues on Sunday. "You can see the value of that experience," said the boss. "It certainly makes a difference when it's going to be tough."