McCarthy's experiences will help Wolves in top flight

Mick McCarthy feels his experiences with Sunderland mean he is well placed to guide Wolves to Premier League safety next season. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake got the only goal of the game as Wanderers sealed promotion with a 1-0 win over QPR at Molineux yesterday.

McCarthy failed to save the Black Cats from finishing bottom in 2003 and 2006, but the former Republic of Ireland manager is certain he can do better this time around.

“Last time I think I had a bit of naivety, I also think I had the usual ‘Well, if that’s what I’ve got then I’ll do it’ arrogance to think I could,” he said. “We didn’t get bashed up, we didn’t get a lot of points, but I didn’t really get a chance.”

Asked if he thought Wolves could stay up, he said: “Of course I do, given a sporting chance.”

“If I’m given £6million to spend like I was last time, which included transfer fees, wages, signing on fees and agents fees then we’ll all be in trouble. But of course that won’t be the case.”

The script was written for Ebanks-Blake to grab the goal that settled matters on an afternoon full of emotion — his 25th of the season, one more than the tally that won him the Championship’s golden boot award last term.

The industrious Andy Keogh, who has emerged from zero to hero in eyes of the club’s fans, harried and hassled Damion Stewart in the penalty area as he looked to shepherd the ball to safety just a minute after the restart.

And when he nicked in to grab the ball by the byline, Ebanks-Blake was in plenty of space 12 yards out to fire home and send the Molineux crowd wild.

“I’m not sure I can articulate well enough how I’m feeling,” added McCarthy. “I’m knackered, I’m beaming on the inside, I’m absolutely thrilled by our achievements. ”I’m very proud of the players, they’ve been brilliant all season long.

“It doesn’t register, it doesn’t sink in. It’s not something you can really savour, you just enjoy the high of it for the moment and savour it when I wake up tomorrow.”