Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today warned against wholesale changes for the Black Country derby.

McCarthy is bidding to end a run of four successive Premier League defeats in Sunday’s Hawthorns high noon showdown.

The Molineux chief is well aware the natives are eager for changes to stop the rot.

But McCarthy won’t be swayed by the masses and instead believes loyalty to those who got Wolves off to a flying start is the key to turning things around.

“When you’ve lost three games in a row and you make it four, everybody who’s not on the pitch at the start is a fans’ favourite,” said the boss.

“I still maintain we’re getting punished, not through playing badly but making mistakes, so I’m not to just go making wholesale changes. Because with that you don’t get anywhere.

“The team that played against Newcastle was the team that played in the first three games and was fabulous. It’s the team that’s played well in most games apart from the QPR one.

“Everyone can tell me everyone else is a better player when we’re getting beat.

“It’s down to opinions and, thankfully for me, mine’s the one that counts.”

Midfield is the area where fans want to see changes, after Karl Henry and Jamie O’Hara as well as wingers Stephen Hunt and Matt Jarvis were below par in the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle.

With Jody Craddock and Ronald Zubar both stepping up their return from injury in the reserve game against Villa at Molineux tomorrow, McCarthy will wait and see how his international contingent return before deciding on any changes.

Asked if he knew the extent of any changes, he said: “I don’t at this moment in time.”

By TIM NASH