Mel Eves: Mick's the man for Wolves

Mel Eves today insisted Wolves have the best manager in boss Mick McCarthy.

The former Wolves striker was briefly a team-mate of McCarthy's at Manchester City, where he had treatment for an Achilles injury after leaving Molineux in 1984.

At Maine Road, 1980 League Cup winner Eves saw the seeds of McCarthy the manager planted and now – almost three decades later – blossom.

McCarthy, who has been in charge for almost five-and-half years, has come under pressure in recent months and emerged from a potential tipping point with Sunday's welcome 2-1 win against Sunderland.

But 55-year-old Eves, three years McCarthy's senior, believes the Molineux boss is the finest fans could wish for.

Asked if the former Ireland boss is the man to take Wolves to next level, Eves said: "Absolutely. I don't see why not.

"He knows the club inside out and the players, who all respect him. You've got to judge managers by what they've got to work with and Mick is as good a manager as you will find.

"For example, the Chelsea manager will be judged slightly differently to the manager of Wolves because expectations are so high. There are 10 teams in the Premier League who would be happy to stay in the division. If you offered them that now, they'd take it."

McCarthy is hugely popular in football as a man of the highest integrity with a no-nonsense approach and Eves says that was evident from his time as a player.

"I first met Mick when I went to Manchester City," he said. "I played a few reserve games for City and Mick was afriendly guy – what you see is what you get – but he was a gentleman too. I remember popping around to his house and having a cup of tea with him.

"And from speaking to him back then, it was no surprise he's gone on to do so well in management."

In August, McCarthy and his players said they were aiming for a mid-table finish, but eight defeats in 10 games led to the pressure building.

"Supporters want to be in mid-table," said Eves. "But for Wolves in their third season in the Premier League, it's sanother year to say 'yes, let's consolidate and make sure we're still in there'."