Source: Daily_Mail
Wolves have struck gold in the bargain basement but Blackburn are still looking to spend
Not for the first time in his managerial career, Mick McCarthy's contribution to a summer of extravagant spending has barely scratched the surface.[LNB] While Liverpool and Manchester United have worked their way through ?100million between them, McCarthy has contented himself with a relatively modest ?4million-plus for Birmingham centre-back Roger Johnson and ?3.5million to turn Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara's loan into a permanent deal.[LNB] Impressive: Jamie O'Hara[LNB] Cheap can mean cheerful, though, and no-one looked happier than McCarthy as he reflected on more unbeatable value for money from his latest transfer dealings.[LNB] The Wolves manager appears to have struck gold once more - appropriately enough, given his team's colours - after the industrious O'Hara helped wrest the midfield initiative from Blackburn and Johnson stood firm at the end to safeguard a richly-deserved 2-1 lead.[LNB] Johnson, in particular, looks a snip at a fee believed to be nearer ?4million than the ?7million initially quoted, but bargains are nothing new to McCarthy.[LNB] Solid: Defender Roger Johnson[LNB]He can already count himself in credit over last year's double signing of Steven Fletcher and Stephen Hunt, after the crucial goals that helped stave off relegation, and they look primed for key roles again this season.[LNB] McCarthy was wary of drawing conclusions, after 90 minutes of a nine-month campaign, but a glance at the starting line-up confirmed how he has stamped his mark on Wolves' fortunes.[LNB] 'Looking at it, I've signed every one of them, except Wayne Hennessey,' he said. [LNB]'Johnson, Berra, Ward... everybody else on the pitch, I've signed, so I'll hang my hat on all of those.[LNB]'It can be good to mould a side like that, but I'm not going to take too much satisfaction until we're about mid-table at the end of the season. Then I'll have a bit of satisfaction, instead of being knackered.' Goals in the final three minutes of games cost Wolves no fewer than seven points last season, as Johnson knew only too well.[LNB] 'I have heard about how the team didn't close games out and conceded late goals, and the gaffer has gone on about it in pre-season,' he said. 'So to shut them out at the end completed a great day all round.' [LNB]Blackburn's alarming deficiencies were ruthlessly exposed, as Wolves bounced back from Mauro Formica's 20th-minute debut goal with a 22nd-minute header by Fletcher and unerring 48th-minute volley by Stephen Ward.[LNB] Manager Steve Kean at least faced up to the shortcomings, as he bluntly conceded his team could do with a whole new spine.[LNB] 'We need at least one centre half, maybe two, another midfielder and a striker,' he said. 'That's at least four - at least.[LNB] 'One of the four bids in is for a centre half, and we think we're close on the fee, so hopefully that will go through. [LNB]'There is pressure straightaway, but that's the job. I'd rather it was on my shoulders than the players', and what I'll concentrate on now is working closely with the owners and directors to try and get the players we clearly need.' [LNB]'There is pressure straightaway, but that's the job. I'd rather it was on my shoulders than the players', and what I'll concentrate on now is working closely with the owners and directors to try and get the players we clearly need.' [LNB] [LNB] Blackburn 1 Wolves 2: Ward volley sets seal on Rovers ruinMonday Match Zone: All the stats, facts and fallout from Saturday's games CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME[LNB] [LNB]
