McCarthy wants winning Wolves

01 January 2010 15:39
After the third-round tie at Prenton Park, Wolves face crunch Premier League games with West Ham and Wigan.[LNB]McCarthy came in for criticism last month for sending out a virtual reserve line-up against Manchester United at Old Trafford.[LNB]But the former Republic of Ireland manager is to choose his line-up from the players who performed creditably against Liverpool and Manchester City during the festive period even though both games ultimately ended in defeat.[LNB]Wolves, currently lying in 15th spot, visit the Hammers next Sunday before tackling Wigan at Molineux the following weekend.[LNB]McCarthy said: "It is an important game on Sunday. We want to win it. I will be playing as strong a side as I can play.[LNB]"I am playing the first team. We want to win it because we need to win a game.[LNB]"We have just lost two on the bounce against Liverpool and Man City despite playing well and maybe the results don't mirror the performances.[LNB]"It doesn't give you any momentum for the Premier League but winning a game won't do any harm (before next weekend) and I don't see a cup run doing us any harm either.[LNB]"Winning is a great habit to have. We've had a good run before the last two games. It always feels a better place when you have won a game, no matter who the opposition are."[LNB]McCarthy admitted: "I haven't seen Tranmere yet until I see the DVD tomorrow. But I have scouts who watch them.[LNB]"They have had a difficult start. They have picked up in the last month and so they have a bit of momentum behind them. We want to beat Tranmere."[LNB]Wolves will have to contend with the game kicking off at 6.15pm on Sunday evening to accommodate coverage on the Football Association's website.[LNB]McCarthy has sympathy for the fans who will have to make the trip to Merseyside but has no problems with the unusual timing from a playing point of view.[LNB]He said: "I've had some kick-off times. It's a new one for me. I haven't done it before. I'd be more than happy to be playing 3pm tomorrow afternoon.[LNB]"But that is the way it is. The games get moved. It is not our decision to question why. We just go and play.[LNB]"We are in the FA Cup, we are invited in the competition every year, and we go and play when they say. I've got no issue with it.[LNB]"Maybe it makes it a bit more difficult for fans. They are going back to work on Monday and would prefer to have played Saturday, have a couple of pints, Sunday off and back to work on Monday."[LNB]McCarthy would like to strengthen his squad during the next month but is adamant there is no imminent activity in terms of players moving to Molineux.[LNB]He said: "Is there any transfer news? There isn't any. None at all. As I sit down here today, there is absolutely none."[LNB]David Jones, George Friend and Sam Vokes, who has returned from his loan spell at Leeds, have been added to the squad on duty against Roberto Mancini's side.[LNB][LNB] Wolves 8/11, Draw 5/2, Tranmere 4/1  

Source: Team_Talk