McCarthy rues transfer failings
06 Feb 2010 - 14:15:40
Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy says that his club did all that they could to try and bring in a number of new players during the January transfer window.
McCarthy saw bids for the likes of Middlesbrough's Adam Johnson and Hull City's Stephen Hunt fail to bear fruit, before having to settle for the signings of Charleroi pair Geoffrey Mujangi Bia and Adlene Guedioura.
McCarthy told the Express & Star: "There was firm interest in Robbie Keane, but he went to Celtic because that's where he wanted to go and good luck to him.
"I actually think we showed a lot of ambition in the transfer window, but it just got batted back. I know we've got criticised for it, but it really wasn't for lack of trying.
"At the end of it - and this might sound harsh - players wouldn't come, whether it be because of better money, a better club or the clubs wouldn't sell them and there's nothing we can do about it.
"Likewise, if someone came and bid for Kevin Doyle, I'd have said 'no'.
"You have your plans, but if they fail you can end up bringing in players only as good as those you've got and maybe no better. I don't think that's right either.
"We had plans in place but it just didn't happen. We absolutely tried and tried and tried and were prepared to spend, but it just didn't happen."