Dropping Collins hurt - Mick
Mick McCarthy "wasn't happy" having to axe Neill Collins for Michael Mancienne and admits it was one of his more difficult decisions as Wolves boss.
Mick McCarthy "wasn't happy" having to axe Neill Collins for Michael Mancienne and admits it was one of his more difficult decisions as Wolves boss.
Collins' team-mates agree the Scot is probably the unluckiest Wolves player at the moment. The Scottish defender was the fall guy when manager McCarthy opted to bring in Mancienne on loan from Chelsea.
Mancienne has proved a huge hit and has won a shock call-up to the full England squad against Germany after being the man of the match in each of his three appearances for Wolves.
Those three games have seen Wolves concede just two goals as opposed to eight in the three before.
Twenty-year-old Stamford Bridge academy product Mancienne has been a revelation alongside Richard Stearman, leaving Collins with a job on his hands to reclaim his place after figuring in 14 of Wolves' first 15 League games this term.
McCarthy has revealed the decision to drop Collins wasn't easy, especially as the 25-year-old has led the way with his professional attitude.
The manager said: "That's what I love about Neill. He wasn't particularly happy about being left out and I wasn't particularly happy about leaving him out, but I thought it was the right decision.
Collins has also won support from his team-mates as he knuckles down to the prospect of winning his place back.
Stearman, who until recently lined up alongside Collins at the back and is now partnering Mancienne, agrees the Scot has been unlucky.
The former Leicester stopper said: "Neill has been a little bit unlucky with Mike's entry on to the scene, because hel was playing very well himself.
"It just shows how strong our squad is that Neill is being left out – I'm sure he'll be back in the team at some point. He's just got to keep playing the way he has been. Hopefully he'll keep his head up and get that chance.
"At the moment, myself and Mike are getting the job done on the pitch and long may it continue."
Collins' fellow-Scot and 11-goal striker Chris Iwelumo said: "Neill has been very unlucky because I think he's been fantastic. He's been a real leader for the boys this season on and off the pitch."
