Wolves boss defends defence

Mick McCarthy today launched a spirited defence of his "mean machine" team bidding for Championship promotion.

Wolves registered their fifth clean sheet in a row to move third behind Watford and Albion on Saturday with a solitary-goal defeat of Preston on Saturday.

It was the team's third 1-0 success in the last four games - they have managed only four in seven matches - and they remain the lowest scorers among the top 15 Championship teams, well adrift of Watford's 33 and Albion's 38.

It's led to some grumbles at Molineux and criticism of Wolves lacking the firepower to truly challenge for the top flight but McCarthy is backing his men to prove their detractors wrong.

He said:"It's not like we are sitting back just trying to contain teams – that's far from the truth.

"We attacked Preston but didn't manage to get those goals.

"But what is carrying us forward is that they are all working so hard defensively which is why we have had this run – hard work and determination.

"There's not a chink of light between most of the teams in the Championship as Saturday proved but if we have had a bit of luck it is because our boys have earned it and deserve credit for that."