Mick McCarthy in trouble after derby defeats - the firing line

It's a quiet time of year for the Firing Line as the 'back me or sack me' season has passed, and prospective employees are put off with the notion of having hours rather than weeks to rebuild a team.But that hasn't stopped question marks appearing over a number of managers in the Premier League, with Wolves' Mick McCarthy coming under scrutiny following a season where his side have failed to kick-on after a summer spend-up.In fact, the the West Midlands based club haven't progressed at all since winning promotion in 2009 and supporters will be less than pleased with a third successive season battling relegation.Each week we bring you our latest chart of the managers under pressure, and those on Easy Street. Here are Sportsmail's sack-race rankings - otherwise known as the Firing Line.  No 1: Mick McCarthy - Wolverhampton Wanderers The promising draw at Tottenham has been followed up withsuccessive home derby defeats and the club plunging into the bottom three. FACup exit to Birmingham means a weekend off which could be a blessing indisguise for his struggling side. UP FIVENo 2: Steve Kean - Blackburn Rovers It's going to take more than a few decent results to gainthe majority of support from fans, but suffering just one league defeat sinceChristmas is a decent enough way to start for Kean. Critics will argue thoughthat Rovers are still in the bottom three. DOWN ONENo 3: Andre Villas-Boas - Chelsea Stranger things have happened but stuck 13 points behind the league leaders, Chelsea are rank outsiders to win the title. It's a position that has cost previous managers their job but fans at least appear to be backing Villas-Boas in this transitional season. DOWN ONENo 4: Owen Coyle - Bolton Wanderers The surprise win at home to Liverpool would have donewonders for his side's confidence - considering they had just lost Gary Cahill.One defeat in four represents the Trotters' best run of the season as they hostSwansea in the cup next. DOWN ONENo 5: Harry Redknapp - Tottenham Hotspur Despite his ongoing trial, Redknapp will take charge of hisside's game at Watford in the FA Cup, but how prepared will the Premier Leaguehigh-flyers be having spectacularly snatched defeat from the jaws of victory atManchester City? UP SEVENNo 6: Alex McLeish - Aston Villa Entertaining and Villa hasn't been mentioned too many times together this season, but the introduction of Robbie Keane to the squad certainly helped inspire them to a derby win at Wolves. McLeish appears to at least know his way around the loan market. DOWN TWONo 7: Roberto Martinez - Wigan Athletic Wigan are bottom of the table but chairman Dave Whelan still trusts Martinez by giving him funds to spend this month. Whelan probably expected a striker to come in and boost the awful goal tally though rather than Birmingham's Jean Beausejour. NON-MOVERNo 8: Martin Jol - Fulham Jol is arguably the king of half-time team talks right now after wins against Newcastle and Arsenal this month came courtesy of turgid first periods followed by barnstorming performances after the break. Needs to improve the poor away record of one win though. NON-MOVERNo 9: Roy Hodgson - West Bromwich Albion Made a number of surprising changes for the win at Stoke, showing his years of experience that ended West Brom's poor run of one point from a possible 12. An all-Premier League cup clash with Norwich is up next for the Baggies. NON-MOVERNo 10: Alan Pardew - Newcastle United Best news of the week for Pardew came from Africa, where Senegal's early exit from the Cup of Nations means Demba Ba and new signing Pappis Cisse could return for Newcastle's next league fixture. Brighton next in the cup. NON-MOVERNo 11: Brendan Rodgers - Swansea City A first defeat in a month at Sunderland, but Rodgers will be proud of his side who controlled large sections of the game and were only outdone by two excellent strikes. Swansea may rest a few players when they visit Bolton in the FA Cup next. NON-MOVERNo 12: Tony Pulis - Stoke City For the first time in a long while, Stoke look fatigued in their last outing against West Brom and Pulis may use this weekend's game at Derby as a chance to rest a large majority of his first-team squad. The Potters are still a highly credible eighth in the table though. UP TWONo 13: Arsene Wenger - Arsenal Lambasted by fans for bringing on Andrey Arshavin for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain against Manchester United as his side crashed to a third straight league defeat. Forget titles, even a top four place is starting to slip away from Arsenal. UP TWONo 14: David Moyes - Everton A disappointing performance in the draw against Blackburn where the Toffees were arguably lucky to even get a point. Everton look safe from a relegation fight but a failure to bolster a stale squad is leaving Moyes' side languishing in the bottom half. DOWN TWNo 15: Mark Hughes - Queens Park Rangers Even Joey Barton thinks QPR look more organised under MarkHughes and there can be little doubt the Welshman's very presence has generateda reaction from within. A signing or two in the final week of thetransfer window should boost the Hoops further. NEW ENTRYNo 16: Martin O'Neill - Sunderland The results continue to come in for Sunderland under O'Neill and they look more equipped for a late assault on a European spot than a relegation battle. O'Neill can boost his popularity further with a Wear-Tees derby win against Middlesbrough in the cup. UP ONENo 17: Paul Lambert - Norwich City Many claimed Norwich's form was going to plummet like Blackpool and Hull's did after Christmas in recent years, but Lambert's side appear to be made of much sterner stuff. In fact if anything they are improving after securing a first clean sheet against Chelsea. DOWN ONENo 18: Roberto Mancini - Manchester City A semi-final Carling Cup exit at Liverpool didn't come without some misfortune, but City can count themselves lucky to have beaten Tottenham under controversial circumstances days earlier. Either way, Mancini will take comfort from topping the table still. NON-MOVERNo 19: Kenny Dalglish - Liverpool After progressing to the Carling Cup final, the emotion on Dalglish's face was clear to see after guiding Liverpool to their first Wembley visit since 1996. We just hope he doesn't let the occasion get to him by ordering a bunch of white suits for the occasion. NON-MOVERNo 20: Sir Alex Ferguson - Manchester United Ferguson's side survived a second-half rally at Arsenal to secure a win and hang on to rivals City in the title race. But it's another tough draw in the FA Cup as United's reward for knocking out the holders is a trip to another bitter rival, Liverpool. NON-MOVER As Redknapp steps back into the dugout for live TV clash, ESPN prepares for fans' taunts in match coverageQPR warn fans to be on their best behaviour for explosive Chelsea clash  Share this article: FacebookTwitterGoogle+MessengerLinkedInDigg itNewsvineFarkNowpublicRedditPrint articleEmail article Add your commentsComments (0)No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts,or debate this issue live on our message boards.Add your commentName:Town & Country:Your name and location will appear next to your comment.You have 1000 characters left.Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. Please read our House Rules.I agree to the House RulesRemember me - this will save you having to type out your name and location when you next leave a comment.For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy.TermsClearSubmit ContentBingSiteWebEnter search term:Search  TOP SPORT STORIESAs Redknapp returns to dugout on live TV, ESPN prepares for fans' tauntsBroadcasters ESPN are on alert ahead of Watford v Spurs on FridayRichards rails against Dowd's 'poor' decisionMan City's Micah Richards has bemoaned ref Phil Dowd's decision to award Liverpool a controversial penaltyNadal through to Australian Open final as Spaniard proves too strong for FedererRafael Nadal came from behind to beat his old rivalGerrard warns Reds over Carling Cup upsetCaptain Steven Gerrard has implored Liverpool to avoid Arsenal's Carling Cup pitfall when they face Cardiff at WembleyQPR warn fans ahead of Chelsea clashQPR have issued a reminder to fans about their behaviour at Saturday's FA Cup clash with ChelseaAjmal takes late wickets as Pakistan snatch controlEngland ended day two of the second Test against Pakistan on 207-5, 50 runs behind in Abu Dhabi Onuoha relishing QPR bow after ?2.5m moveNedum Onuoha revealed his delight after sealing his ?2.5million switch from Manchester City to Queens Park RangersSharapova sets up Australian Open final with AzarenkaMaria Sharapova overcame a second set rally by Wimbledon champion Petra KvitovaWillian reveals delight over Chelsea move after talking to Brazilian BluesChelsea target Willian is keen to head to Stamford BridgeAlex can go to PSG but Roman baulks at incredible ?83m HulkParis Saint-Germain are close to finalising a ?4m deal for Chelsea defender AlexNewcastle to welcome back Ba and Cisse early after Senegal crash out of finalsToon handed an unexpected boost with strike duo's returnEvra set to face Kop as Phelan confirms no preferential treatment Manchester United's Patrice Evra will not be spared the trial of playing at Anfield on SaturdayLancaster turns down a ruck with Scotland boss Robinson England caretaker boss Stuart Lancaster resisted a pre-Calcutta Cup slanging match Sport Headlines Most Read Redknapp will step from courtroom into the dugout for Spurs' FA Cup clash at Watford Richards rails against Dowd's 'poor' penalty decision after Carling Cup exit Ajmal takes three late wickets to help Pakistan back into test as Cook falls short of century Nadal through to Australian Open final as Spaniard proves too strong for Federer Barton blasts 'Orwellian' FA for string of letters warning him over Twitter predictions Onuoha set for QPR bow in FA Cup cracker against Chelsea after sealing ?2.5m move to Loftus Road Tyne to return: Newcastle duo Ba and Cisse set for early comeback after Senegal crash out of Africa Cup of Nations Milan set Tevez D-day as deadline for striker to seal move away from City gets closer Liverpool set to join QPR in race to sign former Arsenal midfielder Hleb Alex can go to Ancelotti at PSG but Roman baulks at incredible ?83m price for Hulk Willian reveals excitement about Chelsea move after talking to Brazilian Blues Israeli outfit confirm City want midfielder Biton in loan deal Blackburn, Sunderland and Swansea join Everton in race to sign playmaker Silva O'Neill reels from Bendtner blow as striker's facial injury worse than feared Kroenke to splash the cash. but no boost for Arsenal as American bids for LA Dodgers Don't do an Arsenal! 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