Source: Team_Talk
Mick confident of Wolves survival
The top-flight new boys are in the thick of the battle for survival, but McCarthy has seen enough from them to believe the players are good enough to ensure Wolves will not be one-season wonders - regardless of whether he strengthens his squad this month.[LNB]McCarthy, who is being strongly linked with a move for Hull winger Stephen Hunt, said: "I'm confident that I already have the players capable of keeping us in the Premier League.[LNB]"I believe that we can finish in a similar position to where we are now (15th) and be above three or four other teams.[LNB]"Physically, we know we can cope with the Premier League. We have improved the technical side of the game and the players are happier in the knowledge that they can play in the Premier League.[LNB]"It is a great feeling when that happens to you. I remember when I became an international footballer. You always think you can do it.[LNB]"After 10 games suddenly the penny drops and you say to yourself, 'you know, I can cope with these games'.[LNB]"I think that is what has happened to my players. Everyone says they can do the job but suddenly they find out it's a bit harder than they thought.[LNB]"Players are now prepared to try things in matches like the killer ball or the good cross.[LNB]"But we are playing against better players. I don't think we have lost the devilment in our play from last season but it's having that belief you can do it in a higher division.[LNB]"I know I have seen an improvement in our play since the day we played West Ham on the opening day of the season. That is down to the players. They have the mentality for these situations.[LNB]"There have been some difficult times but they have all come back, played well and had some good results since our most difficult period when we lost against Arsenal, Chelsea and Birmingham.[LNB]"That tells you if the players have the desired mentality for the game. They certainly have confidence and self belief in their own ability."[LNB]Wolves were beaten 2-0 by West Ham in August, and McCarthy added: "We didn't deserve that result.[LNB]"But that was the first lesson for all of us in the Premier League that you can play well and get beaten.[LNB]"I think, after our recent results, people will look at us and think that there are 10 teams who could be involved in a relegation battle.[LNB]"There could be more if some team has a couple of defeats and finds themselves slipping. Who is to know?[LNB]"We had three wins out of four and you see what it has done for us. But suddenly you lose three and the nerves start jangling."[LNB]Wolves follow the game against West Ham by entertaining another side battling for survival, Wigan.[LNB]It is a high-pressure spell, and McCarthy said: "Everyone wants to play against the big teams and be involved in them but actually our next two games are the more important, which adds to the pressure.[LNB]"Our players went through all this last season in the Championship. Let's not dismiss that fact. When we had a bad run, they kicked on again and won a load of games and finished seven points clear.[LNB]"They have the required mental approach, there is no question about that."[LNB][LNB]
