Mick McCarthy today urged Wolves’ doubters to believe after admitting the only way he will get fans on side is by beating the drop.

Supporters already fear the worst after two points from 15 before Sunday’s biggest Black Country derby against Albion, a tally that has left second bottom Wolves a point from the safety line.

Boss McCarthy’s struggles have been highlighted by the comparative ease of Albion’s gallop to safety under new boss Roy Hodgson, who has taken 16 points from his nine games as opposed to Wolves’ 10.

The Wolves boss wants another Molineux cauldron on Sunday but knows fans, who are itching to see signs of revival, will only respond positively by results.

“We’re in the bottom three and the only way you get people onside and believing is if we’re on 41 points, we’re safe and we’ve had a great finish to the season,” said McCarthy.

“Well we haven’t but there is still the chance to have a great end to the season.

“We’re far from in great shape if we were, we’d be on 41 points.

“Realistically though we can still do it and we all believe we can still do it.”

McCarthy challenged fans to make Molineux as hostile as possible to gain an advantage over the Baggies.

“It’s got be a vibrant and hostile Molineux because that’s what it’s like everywhere we go,” said the boss.

“We certainly got it down at Birmingham and at Albion, although not so much in the first half when we quietened them for long periods.

“But in the second half when they got a series of corners, the place erupted and it was all different.

“We know what it means to us and our fans can make a difference.

“Albion will know what it means, I’m sure they will be made acutely aware.”

By TIM NASH