Mick McCarthy backs 'bonkers' Wolves side to go up

Saturday’s 1-0 win was the first time Wolves had beaten a team managed by McCarthy in 14 attempts, including eight since he departed Molineux in 2012.

McCarthy, who won the Championship with Wolves in 2009, believes they are on course to repeat the feat under Nuno Espirito Santo.

He said: “Wolves are a very good side. What impresses me about them most is that they do get 1-0 wins.

“It doesn’t have to be fours or fives all the time with the good players that they’ve got. They scrap it out as well.

“I think they will go up. They will probably spend in the window as well. It’s a bonkers squad compared to some.”

Ivan Cavaleiro’s first-half strike was enough to earn Wolves victory and condemn Ipswich to defeat.

McCarthy felt his team could have been awarded a foul in the build-up to the goal, when Diogo Jota won the ball off Myles Kenlock.

He said: “My criticism of the goal is that Jota didn’t end up on his a***. My player did. I think if it had happened in the other direction, they would have been screaming for a foul.

“Myles tried to get the ball and Jota’s been cute and eased him off it. I’d like to have thought Myles would have eased him off it.

“It was the same as against Middlesbrough and Cardiff, when we have done well against teams, but it’s us that lets our guard down. We’ve got to do better but it was a good finish, mind.

“I don’t remember our keeper making a save. Defensively, it was a good performance. We just let our guard down with five minutes to go before half-time. But, overall, I think we can take a lot out of that performance. I’m happy enough with the performance. I’m just disappointed with the result.

“If you let your guard down and the opposition have got quality, you will get punished.”