Mick McCarthy insists Wolves' biggest challenge is to perform well against their relegation rivals rather than the forthcoming double header with title-chasing Manchester United and Arsenal.
Wolves visit Old Trafford on Saturday and entertain Arsene Wenger's side next Wednesday to complete a sequence of four matches in a row against the current top four. But after that Wolves face Blackpool, Sunderland, Blackburn, Birmingham, West Brom and Wigan in six successive matches leading up to Christmas.
"We've got United and Arsenal around the corner but the bigger test is to play against Bolton, Blackburn, Sunderland, Wigan - all the teams that will be around us," said McCarthy.
"They are all coming up and they are the ones that we have to play well in, and graft in, and put good performances in."
McCarthy admits Wolves sometimes lack a killer instinct in front of goal but feels his side can take heart from last week's performance in losing 3-2 at United in the Carling Cup.
He said: "Confidence has never been in doubt, perhaps just that killer instinct in front of goal and sometimes that mean streak.
"But I think we can go to United with more confidence about things because of the way we played last week and hopefully we can score again."
Source: PA
