The Midlands club remain in the Premier League relegation zone after being defeated 3-2 at Molineux by Bolton on Saturday. The hosts carved out several good opportunities in the opening period but shot themselves in the foot - as they had in their previous game - by conceding a goal in the first minute, Richard Stearman heading past his own goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann. Second-half strikes from Johan Elmander and Stuart Holden then gave Bolton a 3-0 lead, and although Kevin Foley and Steven Fletcher swiftly reduced the deficit, McCarthy's men were unable to find an equaliser before the final whistle. Wolves have earned plaudits for their performances in recent weeks but are yet to keep a single clean sheet this term, something the manager knows must be addressed. "I think we have to make sure we keep a clean sheet, however that may be," said McCarthy, whose side have only two victories and nine points from 13 league games so far. "Let's stay in the game to start with. We have played some great football and created loads of chances but we have conceded three goals. "We might have to just start at basics and make sure we keep a clean sheet." Wolves went into the contest off the back of a high-profile sequence of fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal, but McCarthy insisted the prospect of Bolton - who moved up to fifth in the table - had not been underestimated. "I thought this was a harder game - and I said that to the players in the week - because of the danger that people expect us to win it," McCarthy said. "They are a very good team, on-form at the minute, so it was always going to be a hard game - and it was made increasingly hard by conceding a goal after 50 seconds." McCarthy's opposite number Owen Coyle expressed his confidence that Wolves will start picking up points. "Wolves are a far better side than their league position suggests and that will turn for them, there is no doubt," Coyle said. "They just have to keep banging away on that door, but I have to look after Bolton Wanderers, and it was an important win for us."
