The season started extremely positively for Wolverhampton Wanderers. They went unbeaten in their first three games, but the season has been a struggle since. The club clearly hoped that they were ready to take the next step and aimed to establish themselves as a genuine Premier League club. However, with 13 games left in this season, this team is in the bottom three and battling for its survival once again.
This team has won just five games all season, though they did secure an important 2-1 victory over QPR last weekend. However, a home loss to Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion sealed manager Mick McCarthy's fate. The nature of the loss, a 5-1 drubbing, ensured that he was removed from his position.
Hoping for Too Mich?
However, it's hard not to cast this move as yet another example of a small cub hoping for too much. It is becoming habit for mid to lower end clubs in the Premier League simply to fire their managers because they are deluded about the potential of their team.
This Wolves' line-up doesn't have the talent to compete with the top six or seven teams in the league. The rest of the standings are dependent on a lot of factors. Eighth place Norwich are not clearly better than last place Wigan for example.
The fact is that McCarthy had been a strong figure, and positive manager for this club since 2006. He had taken the club up from the Championship and established themselves as Premier League side, even if he wasn't able to develop his team effectively enough to give them security.
Wolves look set to compete in a five team battle with QPR, Blackburn, Bolton and Wigan. The path isn't easy, because three of their six remaining home games are against Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal. Two of the other home games are effectively must win, as they face Blackburn and Bolton. Getting another 13 points won't be easy for this club (if they are to reach the magic 40-point mark), though their last game of the season could be an important one, away to Wigan.
The replacement manager in Wolves will have their work cut out for them, although they will also have plenty of resources available. This is a job that could attract the likes of Neil Warnock, Steve Bruce and Alan Curbishely, but whoever takes over may need more patience than was given to McCarthy.
Join the Conversation