Mick McCarthy is hurting at Wolves

Straight-talking Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today opened his heart to fans to insist "I'm hurting as much as anyone."

The manager has come under fire after five straight defeats culminating in the most painful of all, to West Brom at the Hawthorns to make it the club's worst losing run since January 1985.

McCarthy understands why the flak is flying his way and believes the only way to stop it is by arresting the slide.

He said: "I understand that because professionally, I hurt more than everyone else – certainly as much as fans do and players because I've lost five games on the bounce," said the boss.

"It's not my club, but it's my job, my profession. It's what I do, and it's what I'm good at, but unfortunately at the moment, it's not going particularly well."