McCarthy wants to take 'big four' scalp

A three-match unbeaten run comes under its fiercest scrutiny yet with Arsenal at home this Saturday tea-time, followed by a trip to Premier League leaders Chelsea.

But McCarthy reckons his battling side can upset the odds and shock one of the established Champions League sides.

He said: "The performances are good. It's set up for us to turn one of the big ones over. Why can't we? Why be negative about it?"

McCarthy believes Wolves are due a victory, after Saturday's 2-2 draw at Stoke made it three successive stalemates.

He said: "We should have won. I'm sick of playing well and just getting a point - we may just as well have won one and lost two."

Meanwhile McCarthy has admitted he could reward Jody Craddock with a new contract after his man of the match performance at Stoke.

The 34-year-old defender, who signed a new one-year deal in the summer, scored the first brace of his career to rescue a point at the Britannia Stadium.

Craddock could have joined Stoke permanently two years ago before being recalled from a loan spell, and was fifth choice centre-half at the turn of the year.

But the veteran fought back to captain Wolves to the Championship title and has been in fantastic form this season.

McCarthy said: "If someone is doing as well as Jody, they're always considered to be looked after and he deserves that.

"But there's been no discussion about his contract. Anybody playing well could win a deal, but it's premature to talk about it.

"Jody would have left. He came back because of injuries and played. He almost went out on loan last season but he stayed."