McCarthy plea on Wolves future

Mick McCarthy admits he hasn't delivered on the promotion pledge made to Wolves fans a year ago.

But the Molineux boss insists his two-year tenure can still be viewed as a success in the rebuilding of Wolves following the Glenn Hoddle era.

"I understand the supporters' feelings. I know everyone was really disappointed," said McCarthy. "If everything is judged purely and simply on being promoted, then I haven't done the job well enough.

"But maybe people should take a broader view based on the two years I've been here.

"The team has evolved, changed and got better and there are four or five players knocking on my door looking for new contracts with Premier League clubs wanting to sign them.

"Well, I went out and got those players and I signed them."

McCarthy added: "When I walked in here on July 21 almost two years ago, the first question asked was 'are you going to keep them up?' because people thought relegation was going to happen.

"So if we'd finished 10th last season instead of finishing in the play-offs, would it have been easier for me now?

"We did it the wrong way around in reaching the play-offs in the first season. But if we'd been 10th then seventh, we'd have been saying that's progression.

"Unfortunately that's not the case because we got in the play-offs the first time of asking.

"But I'm excited about the prospect of this team moving forward, and with a bit more help, we'll try to get there because we've got good players."

McCarthy's ill-advised 'sad fans' comments added fuel to the fire following the play-offs miss.

But he insists he has no problem with the Molineux faithful and results will determine his future.

"I've never said I'm unhappy (with the fans)," he said. "I'd have loved to have sent them home happy against Southampton for example, but we conceded a late equaliser and I can't go on the pitch and mark the scorer.

"Thirty seconds from being a hero, I was a complete idiot."

l Coventry City chairman Ray Ranson today confirmed his club's interest in signing Wolves reject Freddy Eastwood.

But the Midlands neighbours are se for another conflict over the valuation of the 24-year-old striker who signed last summer from Southend for £1.5m.