Wolves: Battle will go to the wire

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today warned fans to fasten their seatbelts after admitting the battle for survival will go to the wire again.

With the bottom six teams all playing each other this weekend, the relegation fight could take a fresh twist after tomorrow's Black Country derby at Molineux (1.30pm).

Captain Roger Johnson said earlier this week the next five games – against Albion, Newcastle, Fulham, Blackburn and Manchester United – will determine Wolves' season.

But McCarthy sees a repeat of last season's Survival Sunday developing, with the battle going to right to the last day.

"These five games are vitally important but it could go to the very last game, and it looks like it will again because it's ever so tight," said McCarthy.

"I seem to remember last season saying it might be the last kick of the season, and that's how it turned out.

"Maybe that will be the same again.

"I'd love to be safe with five games to play, but I just don't see that happening with the nature of the games and how close we all are."

Victory would drag Wolves to within two points of Albion and McCarthy said: "That's what we're hoping. If we can win, the league would concertina up again."

The Wolves boss insisted a united dressing room is the only way they will survive.

"All we can do is stick together," he said. "We've managed to do that for the last five years.

"I remember we were top of the Championship and opinion was polarised.

"Nothing changes. We just keeping that focus on getting enough points to stay in the Premier League and stick together. If we do, we'll be fine."

* Aston Villa manager Alex McLeish has come out fighting ahead of a proposed fans' protest before tomorrow's home game with Manchester City (4pm) and insisted: "I'll get it right."

The 'Vital Villa' fans' website posted a message earlier this week calling on supporters to voice their feelings an hour before the meeting with the current Barclays Premier League leaders.

McLeish said: There were a few fans at the start of the season expressed dissent at me becoming a manager.

"That is out of my control, but the points are there for us to climb the table."