Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

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• Manager:Mick McCarthy

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McCarthy stands by changes

25 Jan 2010 - 08:52:32

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Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy defended his decision to make a raft of changes for the FA Cup fourth round clash with Crystal Palace, which ended in a 2-2 draw at Molineux.

Twice the home side had to fight back from a goal behind to earn a replay, with McCarthy also having one eye on an upcoming Premier League double.

He told the club's official website: "Having a replay is better than being out of the competition.

"What I got from us at the start of the game and start of the second half was not what I expect or what I thought would happen.

"We're 1-0 down after two-and-a-half minutes and 2-1 down after 49 minutes. That's not a good start to either half, which doesn't allow you to be comfortable and to play.

"We've had to have a scrap but it was a cup tie and the lads kept scrapping and playing and deserved to get the equaliser.

"I picked a team to win the match, but also with an eye on Tuesday night.

"If I have to manage the squad for games then I will do and I will make changes and I had no hesitation again.

"We've got Liverpool on Tuesday and Hull on Saturday and while we had a really strong side out there, there was no chance that one eleven could have played in all three games."