Mick McCarthy so proud of Wolves' Premier League survival
Mick McCarthy has revealed his "immense pride" after Wolves guaranteed Premier League survival on Sunday without kicking a ball.
Wolves' future in the top flight was secured for another campaign after Burnley were beaten 4-0 at home by Liverpool. A run of 10 points from the last seven games - and just one defeat - ensured Wolves did not make a quickfire return to the Coca-Cola Championship.
McCarthy, whose side shared a 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn on Saturday, said: "I've always had a sense that we could finish above three other teams.
"I am immensely proud of the way the players have gone about things because of the way they have played and competed, the way they have gone about their jobs.
"Everyone has put a right shift in and the pride I feel can only be outwardly shown now a little bit more now that we are staying in the league.
"Even when we've been beaten, I've not come away and thought 'I don't admire the lads' because they've been terrific in getting us into the Premier League and competing to stay in it."
McCarthy believes his squad have improved as the season has progressed despite containing little Premier League experience. He said: "You have got to improve if you are in it, physically, technically, mentally, emotionally, all of those things you actually get better at.
"We have done that. We came into the season with little Premier League experience. People like Marcus Hahnemann and Kevin Doyle at Reading and David Jones a bit at Derby had it but no-one else really.
"They have got better, they have matured, they believe in themselves and believe they can play in the Premier League and not just be hanging on for survival.
"They have actually competed against teams who are supposedly better than us and got points. Self belief is a wonderful thing."
McCarthy knows that team spirit has also been a key component in Wolves surviving the drop and bouncing back when the going has been tough. He said: "The team spirit is something I work at anyway. I haven't had a team that's ever lacked that.
"Even at Sunderland when we were bottom of the table, the players weren't up in arms or jumping about cribbing about things.
"There was still a good team spirit and they were fine. But I do like that kind of player and I think everyone does."
Another crucial factor in Wolves managing to stay clear of relegation was McCarthy's decision in mid-season to revert from a 4-4-2 to a 4-5-1 formation.
He said: "It was clear to me halfway through the season that we weren't going to score a load of goals so it was important that we stopped leaking them. Fortunately we have.
"We've managed to get a few clean sheets and have become harder to beat. We've been trying to do it all season long but the change in formation has certainly helped.
"If you are organised, all the players know their jobs, understand what role they've got, do that to the best of their ability, have a back four that is well-drilled and is a cohesive unit, then you have a chance."
McCarthy also acknowledges the fact Wolves have a stable position off the pitch compared to Portsmouth's financial problems and West Han's mid-season change of ownership as being a crucial factor.
He said: "You like to have a relationship which is stable and your working life is just the same.
"We turn up and we've got no problems with the board, no problems with administration, no problems financially and we can concentrate on football."
Central defender Jody Craddock echoed McCarthy's sentiments and said: "Everyone at the club has worked so hard and we've managed to achieve what we set out to do at the start of the season.
"I kept up to date with the Burnley-Liverpool game via updates on my phone and it was just nice to hear the result.
"It would have been nice if Burnley had played Saturday so we would have known for sure at the end of our game. But survival is survival and I'll take it however it happens!"
Craddock has earned a reputation as an artist which ensured he did not take part in any wild celebrations. He said: "I'm not sure what will happen regarding any celebrations but a lot of the lads were in London on last night for the PFA awards.
"For me it's going to be a case of letting it all sink in for now.
"It was another quiet night in for me and to be honest I've got a painting I'm doing for one of the players and needed to keep working on it!"
