Give Roger Johnson some stick, McCarthy tells Villa fans

Mick McCarthy today handed Villa fans an open invitation to give Roger Johnson some stick in tomorrow's derby at Villa Park – because he believes it will make the Wolves captain play better.

The £4.5m former Birmingham defender is ready for a hostile reception at his former arch rivals tomorrow lunchtime.

Johnson was fined £7,500 for branding referee Martin Atkinson "a disgrace" in April 2010 after conceding a controversial late penalty that led to a 1-0 Second City derby win for Villa.

Asked if Johnson is ready for his 'welcome', McCarthy said: "I sincerely hope so.

"You want them giving you stick because when they do it's generally because they don't like you as you're a good player.

"I think they'll all have gone soft if they don't give him some stick.

"That will just make him play better."

McCarthy said Johnson is ready to meet the abuse head on.

"Going to Villa Park won't bother him at all," said the boss.

"It's important to have leaders on the pitch who can inspire others.

"It's about playing well yourself but also getting the best out of other people."

McCarthy revealed he told then Blues boss Alex McLeish he was going to bid for Johnson as soon as the St Andrew's club was relegated.

"I rang him and told him I was going to bid for Roger – I think it was just before Match of the Day on the Sunday we stayed up!" he said.

"We each knew what was going to happen if either of us had got relegated."

McCarthy believes McLeish taking the Villa job was like him becoming Albion chief if Wolves had gone down.

"I was thrilled for him but it was a big surprise," he said.

"I did ask if we'd gone down and Roy Hodgson had left, do you think West Brom would have come in for me?

"That's how ridiculous it seemed."

By TIM NASH