Source: PA
McCarthy delighted with young Wolves
Mick McCarthy paid tribute to the contribution of Wolves' youngsters after Wanderers squeezed past Southend and into the Carling Cup third round last night.
McCarthy handed Sam Winnall and Danny Batth their senior debuts for the club and Ashley Hemmings his first start for the tie at Molineux, in a Wolves side featuring 10 adjustments from the one which drew 1-1 at Everton on Saturday.
The trio, all 19, each played their part, with centre-back Batth given a testing time by a spirited Shrimpers attack and forwards Hemmings and Winnall combining well up front.
The latter earned the first-half penalty which Nenad Milijas converted to put the Barclays Premier League outfit in front.
Southend deservedly forced extra-time after their captain Craig Easton headed past Wayne Hennessey in the 80th minute, but Wolves skipper Richard Stearman had the final say, bundling home Ronald Zubar's cross in stoppage time at the end of the second additional period to send Wanderers through. It was a victory McCarthy admitted his team did not deserve, but the manager was more than satisfied with the performances of the three teenagers.
"The three young lads were great, I was delighted with them," McCarthy said. "It is always a gamble. If I had just played those two up front and Danny Batth with eight of the others that had played on Saturday, you might have seen even more from them."
