Mick McCarthy admits: Albion and Villa look safe

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today admitted rivals Albion and Villa have effectively beaten the drop.

Successive wins for Albion as McCarthy's side have lost two have seen the Baggies climb seven points clear of the drop zone into 10th.

Villa are 14th and five points above the bottom three after picking up four points since their defeat to Wolves, who go into their free weekend a point from safety.

And McCarthy effectively concedes two of their three West Midlands neighbours can start to relax.

"I think their wins at the weekend put both of them virtually safe," he said. "I said if teams got eight points from their last eight matches we'd all have done well. We've now got six games left and hardly any of us have taken any points since, yet Albion are on 39 points.

"It would have to be a hell of a turnaround for them not to stay up now.

"Then again, they've got Chelsea this weekend, and if they get beat then suddenly someone else can win."

McCarthy admitted Wolves' concerns could be heightened by the psychological disadvantage of hitting rock bottom again.

That would happen this weekend if Villa beat West Ham by more than three goals and Wigan win at Blackpool.

"The problem is if we go bottom by virtue of not playing," said the boss. "That can have an effect, but it would suit me fine if Wigan and Blackpool both got a point on Saturday because I think we can overhaul them.

"If Blackpool were to win, that would put us four points adrift without playing and we'd suddenly look further and further away."

McCarthy believes Wolves may not have to win three of their last six games to be safe. "Nine points would be a huge ask to get out of it, but I'm not convinced it's going to take that," he said.

"I'm not convinced Blackpool are going to get nine points out of it."