McCarthy thought he had landed the midfielder from Aston Villa last week, with the 28-year-old at Molineux on Thursday to undergo a medical. He would not put pen to paper with the Midlanders, though, as an approach from Fulham boss Mark Hughes lured him back to his London roots. McCarthy is disappointed to have seen a deal he worked so hard on come to nothing, but appreciates that Sidwell's desire to return to the capital ultimately went against him. "I was annoyed, miffed, upset, peed off and I told both Steve and his agent all of those things," he told the Birmingham Mail. "But I told him it was not aimed at him because he made the decision I would have made. He lives in London and a London club came in for him. He was offered a good long-term contract and to me it was a no-brainer. "So what is the point of me having any bad or ill-feeling, animosity towards him? I don't. He wanted to come here and was quite excited but was made a better offer. "Put it this way, if Wolves tell me in the summer I am going and Burnley are back in the Premiership and want me, or Fulham want me because I live in Bromley - I'm going back down there. "I want to sleep in my own bed, which I've not done other than once a month for the last seven years. It's the same for Sidwell so good luck to him. I wish him well. I can't say I wish Fulham the same, but I wish him well." It is not the first time Wolves have seen a player slip through their grasp at the final moment, but McCarthy insists he will not dwell on the issue for long. He added: "Sidwell conducted himself perfectly. No problem at all. He's a smashing fella. I wish I could have signed him. I'm annoyed because I don't like losing out. He was terrific. I'd have loved to have signed him, and still would at a different date. "I just can't move Wolverhampton any closer to London. There's nothing I can do about that. We can't do anything about the geography. Good luck to him. "He genuinely had a dilemma. He was looking forward to coming here."
