We can be the new Everton says Mick McCarthy

Mick McCarthy today kicked off the countdown to Saturday by challenging Wolves to be 'the new Everton'.

Wolves boss McCarthy is a big admirer of how Everton chief David Moyes has been allowed to gradually build his team over the last nine years, as well as the Toffees' mix of competitive and stylish play.

And he sees the Merseysiders as the ideal example to follow for Wolves, who he sees as having the potential to establish themselves in the Premier League long term.

"Yes why not?" said McCarthy. "They're a club that finish very well.

"They're not paupers by any stretch of the imagination. But it's a team built over time with David Moyes there for 10 years. It's been a gradual building process.

"They've made shrewd signings and then they've spent money like the £15m on Marouane Fellaini and £5m on Leighton Baines a long time ago.

"They've paid some money out, but it's a good solid club who are hard to beat and successful in the Premier League. And they always look like they're going to stay there."

Everton were in the bottom three at one stage but have gradually picked up to occupy seventh spot — something McCarthy predicted because of the quality of their players.

"They never looked in any threat to go down this season — people thought they might be involved but I never did because they've got good players," he said.

"If Louis Saha's on form he's very good, Jermaine Beckford has done well for them and Leighton Baines is an England full-back.

"Sylvain Distin is top drawer, they've got a really good goalkeeper in Tim Howard and Phil Jagielka is an England player.

"Everyone talks about Jack Rodwell, and, while Tim Cahill has been injured, he's been a top player for a long time.

"You carry on through the team — look at Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman — there are no mugs there and it's full of solid, experienced Premier League players."

Wolves have drawn all three encounters with Everton since returning to the Premier League and McCarthy is expecting another tight affair.

"I see Everton as a top six or seven team — and they're seventh at the minute," he said.

"They're all tough games. I was listening to Phil Neville at the weekend saying he thinks they're safe and can enjoy the rest of the season. They've got 41 points and they'll get more, just hopefully not on Saturday."

Meanwhile, Christophe Berra has vowed Wolves' seasonal low at Newcastle won't be repeated.

The Scotland international admitted most players were below par in the 4-1 defeat at St. James' last Saturday.

But the 26-year-old stopper believes Mick McCarthy's side will show their true colours again starting with the Saturday lunchtime visit of the Toffees.

"There haven't been many days when we've failed to perform," said Berra. "We know what standards we can hit and we've done it in previous games.

"Newcastle was one of those where we had seven or eight players who didn't perform to the levels they could.

"We know what we've done wrong but there's seven games to go and we have to learn from it and move on," he said.

"We're putting it behind us and getting ready for Everton."