Wolves boss defends Richard Stearman decision

Feb 25 2009 by Lisa Smith, Birmingham Post

Mick McCarthy insists his decision to drop defender Richard Stearman from his Wolverhampton Wanderers’ side against Cardiff City at the weekend was a tactical one but underlined the fact that no-one has a divine right to be in his team.

Stearman, an England Under-21 centre-half, was left out against the Bluebirds on Saturday for the first time this season in a move which was questioned by supporters.

But the Wolves manager insisted he made the decisions and his players accepted that.

“I just decided to change the team,” said the Yorkshireman. “I thought Jody (Craddock) was right for the game.

“Knowing the players he was going to be playing against, I didn’t think any of them would enjoy playing against Jody Craddock.

“It was a tough, physical intense game and it suited him.

“But to be fair, in training he’s looked like he’s been ready to play.”

McCarthy is a huge fan of Stearman but believes the 21-year-old will have benefitted physically from the rest from the hard-fought 2-2 draw.

“Stears has played in every game apart from when he was suspended,” he said.

“He is fine but I thought the two lads played very well – Christophe (Berra) and Jody were excellent.