McCarthy warns Wolves about Tottenham

Mick McCarthy today warned buoyant Wolves that Tottenham will be 'smarting' on Saturday – but vowed to attack them.

In contrast to Wolves' flying start of seven points from three games, Spurs have kicked off with 3-0 and 5-1 defeats to Manchester United and Manchester City respectively after their home start against Everton was postponed due to the riots.

But McCarthy isn't fooled by those results and tipped Spurs to pick up soon.

"I'm not kidded by all that nonsense," said McCarthy. "They'll be smarting – they'll be seeing this as a game they need to get back to winning ways in.

"We've had a good start but we've only got two points more than this time last season.

"Now we've got a team coming to us who will finish in the top six pushing for a Champions League spot, and if we finish in the top half of the table, I'll be absolutely thrilled.

"They're a great group of players and they've been slapped by five goals at home and three away but by arguably the two best teams in the league.

"So this is a tough game. There will be a gulf between them and us, no question about that."

But McCarthy feels his side have enough Premier League nous to cause them problems.

"There's no chance we're going to let them just come here and play," he said.

"We're nowhere near their level but we've moved up a little level whereby we can have a go and not just camp in our half."

By TIM NASH