Source: Team_Talk
McCarthy: Points are all that matter
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy admits he is taking no solace from the praise his team have won for their recent performances.[LNB] McCarthy's men take on Arsenal at Molineux on Wednesday, completing a nightmare five-game run that will have seen them play all the current top four in the Premier League, including Manchester United twice because of their Carling Cup meeting.[LNB]Wolves have played well in that period, but so far have only one win, against Manchester City, to show for their endeavours. They were denied a draw at Old Trafford on Saturday as Park Ji-sung's injury-time winner earned Manchester United a 2-1 win.[LNB]"My team's performances against Chelsea (when they lost 2-0 at Stamford Bridge) and against Manchester United at Old Trafford were terrific, but we got nothing for them," McCarthy said.[LNB]"So while you get lauded for your football, you've got to win.[LNB]"That's at any level, whether it's winning and staying the Premier League, which is seen as a success for us, or the top teams winning trophies.[LNB]"We'll all be judged on that."[LNB]McCarthy admits his team have fared better than many expected over the last three weeks, but added he sets higher standards than just competing.[LNB]He said: "Bearing in mind we were tipped to get nothing from the four (league) games, we've had three points, but we'd like something else.[LNB]"We're not content with the three points, and you could see that on Saturday (against Manchester United).[LNB]"We deserved something out of the game, and you can see what it meant to all of us that we didn't get it."[LNB]For a man whose team has won just one league game since the opening day of the season, McCarthy cut a relaxed figure at the team's training ground today.[LNB]McCarthy confidence comes from a belief his current team is better than the Wolves side that avoided the drop last year with two games to spare.[LNB]He said: "I think we are better, playing better football and having better performances than we did at this stage last season.[LNB]"We're on similar points, and my belief as always is that the games are there and we'll pick up the points if we keep playing like this.[LNB]"There's a real belief that we are a better side."[LNB]Arsenal go into the game on the back of two straight defeats, and McCarthy is wary of a reaction tomorrow.[LNB]"I would think they'll be smarting," he said.
