Mick McCarthy's message of caution

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has preached a message of caution as he plotted his team's Premier League path to safety on Survival Sunday.

McCarthy believes Wolves and opponents Blackburn will not unnecessarily chase the victory they need to guarantee staying up for fear of leaving themselves too open at the other end.

The Wolves boss said: "It's a winner-takes-all clash for survival but no-one wants a silly defeat either.

"I'm sure both teams will be conscious of that. Chasing a game and getting beat by any silly number suddenly could make life very uncomfortable.

"They won't be playing 4-1-5 and getting at us because that just won't happen."

McCarthy stressed the need for cool heads in the dugout and on the pitch after insisting he was right to rest Player of the Year Matt Jarvis for the last two games.

The manager said: "It will be a nervy weekend for five teams.

"I've talked before about the need for cool heads and calm heads - that's my role, making decisions when I have to. When they go right, it's great and when they don't, people say I don't know what I'm doing.

"Regarding Jarvis, I said it was the right one. This isn't my first trip though - I've been here a few times in the past. I've had nigh on 20 years' experience as a manager, so I've been around a bit."

It's that refusal to panic that McCarthy believes has stood Wolves in good stead after their Stoke debacle.

He said: "When we've hit rock bottom, we've generally responded in a positive way.

"That's down to the players and the way they are, but I'd also like to think it's how myself and Terry Connor manage and coach them and make sure they're ready for the next game, despite having a good slapping.

"It's all sorts of things but one is to accept you've been beaten. Everyone always looks for a reason why, but how about that Stoke are a bloody good team?"