Moxey salutes McCarthy

Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey has saluted boss Mick McCarthy for the "remarkable" achievement in bucking the trend in the Premier League's spending table.

Moxey, who will pay a tribute to McCarthy and his players at tonight's gala end of season awards dinner at Telford International Centre, has long held the theory that clubs' level of expenditure equates to a parallel position in their finishing position at the end of the season.

But McCarthy led Wolves to survival — and what could still be a 14th-placed finish — with what is believed to be the second lowest budget in the Premier League behind relegated Burnley.

McCarthy spent around £18m on 11 players over the two windows following promotion 12 months ago.

But Wolves are well behind relegated clubs Hull and Portsmouth when it comes to wages — a point emphasised by McCarthy after the 3-1 defeat to Pompey at the weekend when he said their front four players earned and cost more than his entire team.

Prudent

"We've been very prudent in running our business and our achievement is underscored by this table of wealth against table of expenditure," said Moxey.

"Over a period of three or four years whoever spends the most normally finishes at the top. Whoever spends the least normally finishes at the bottom.

"We've bucked the trend and that's down to Mick, the players and everybody working together towards a clearly defined target.

"I can't speak more highly about the job Mick, Terry Connor and all the backroom staff have done. I think it's remarkable.

"The achievement is not because we've spent more than others on players' transfer fees and wages — on the contrary. We've done it very sensibly."

Moxey acknowledged the players have adjusted to the Premier League as they have gone through the season.

"I think this team has got better as the season has unfolded which to me is the mark of a really good team and manager," he said.

By Tim Nash