Roy's not the only manager deserving credit...
Wolves hopes set high by Kightly
Mike Adamson at the Walkers Stadium
Monday May 7, 2007
The Guardian
When Mick McCarthy took over at Wolves 12 days before the start of the season, Championship survival was the mandate given to him by the board. With a bare squad of only 13 senior players at his disposal, even that looked an uphill task.
It is some achievement, then, that his rebuilt team finished the season in fifth place after their first league victory at Leicester in 19 visits. Their reward is a play-off semi-final with their Black Country rivals West Bromwich Albion, the first leg of which is at Molineux on Sunday.
“Albion here we come" was the cry from their supporters at the final whistle and McCarthy is equally excited by the prospect. "It's been looking like it would go that way for a few weeks," he said. "With the results that we've had, it should be an interesting 10 days or so."
Such a fixture was a pipe dream when Wolves were 14th in December after a home defeat to Leicester. Their revival owes much to McCarthy's canny use of the transfer market in the following month, when he signed six players who featured yesterday. "Those who came in January made us a much better team," he said.
No one epitomises McCarthy's eye for a bargain more than Michael Kightly, who was signed for a nominal fee from Grays Athletic. He was a relentless threat drifting in off his right flank, creating several chances for others and himself. Wolves' main problem this season has been in front of goal - no team in the top half of the division has scored less - but 13 in their past five games shows their forwards are hitting form at the right moment.
They had to show courage as well as class here after Iain Hume volleyed the home team in front in the third minute. The equaliser arrived midway through the first half when George Olofinjana prodded home. Kightly gave Wolves a deserved lead when he beat Conrad Logan at the second attempt and the visitors' advantage was doubled as Gareth McAuley slid a low cross into his own net. Patrick Kisnorbo added to a dismal day for Leicester when he was sent off for a second bookable foul before Andy Keogh completed the rout by dinking a late penalty down the centre of the goal.
The result left Leicester's caretaker manager, Nigel Worthington, cutting a forlorn figure with an uncertain future. "I've always stated I'd like the chance [to take the job permanently] and now we wait to see what happens," he said without much conviction. Wolves are looking forward to the next few weeks with greater anticipation.
Man of the match Michael Kightly (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
