Mick McCarthy has again threatened changes as he blasted Wolves’ “rubbish, sieve-like” defending – warning they won’t be promoted if they continue playing “Keystone Cops”.

The Wolves boss was relieved to see his side back to winning ways with Saturday’s 3-2 rollercoaster victory at Watford.

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But he is concerned at the defensive errors that have seen them leak 14 goals in their last five games.

“I lambasted the players afterwards – I gave them the right sharp end of my tongue because we shouldn’t have made it so difficult for ourselves,” fumed McCarthy.

“We’re a sieve at the back and we have to change that. Either we defend better individually or collectively or we’ll have to do something else with somebody else.

“We made some real mistakes and defended poorly at times.

“It was a real scrappy affair with some rubbish defending and rubbish attacking which could have finished 6-6!

“I’m sure it was highly entertaining for any neutrals because it was ‘Keystone Cops’ at both ends.”

Despite Wolves lying second in the Championship and four points clear of third-placed Reading, McCarthy is convinced only leaders Birmingham and the Royals look like a promotion team at the moment.

“We can’t afford to let 14 goals in in five games,” he said. “Birmingham keep nicking games and they don’t give many goals away – eight this season.

“They haven’t been scoring many but they’ve been solid. That’s a promotion-winning outfit.”

By TIM NASH