Mick McCarthy believes Wolves' lack of attacking firepower means
his side's Premier League survival is still far from assured this
season.
Wolves' 0-0 draw with Fulham on Saturday was their third such
result in their last four games.
Some 389 minutes have passed since McCarthy's side scored
their last goal, which came in their 3-1 win over West Ham last
month.
Wolves' top goalscorer Kevin Doyle was kept at bay by Fulham
defenders Chris Smalling and Aaron Hughes on Saturday - and never
looked like adding to the seven goals he has scored so far this
season.
McCarthy admits his side's lack of goals could mean his side
will still need to get points in their remaining fixtures against
Blackburn, Portsmouth and Sunderland to stay up.
"Let's not presume that we are safe," said McCarthy. "We
still need points because we are not scoring. If we get three clean
sheets then I will take it."
McCarthy also defended his side's defensive style of play
which has seen them defy their critics and move away from the
relegation zone.
"Playing great football and losing still gets you no points,"
said the former Republic of Ireland manager.
"We do play football and try to knock the ball around though.
We always get a chance from a free-kick or a corner.
"We have to work on closing teams down because we want to
stay in the game.
"But we had to stop getting beat and when you stop that you
pick up points."
Michael Mancienne was one of Wolves' best performers on
Saturday as he protected the back four from the threat of the
in-form Bobby Zamora.
The 22-year-old is enjoying his second season on loan from
Chelsea and McCarthy admits he is showing signs of developing into
a good player.
Should Michael Ballack and Joe Cole fail to renew their
contracts at the end of the season, Mancienne could be called back
to Stamford Bridge to challenge for a first-team place.
McCarthy is hopeful of holding on to the player for at least
another season, though.
"He's a quality young player who Chelsea have signed on a
long contract and I was lucky enough to get him on loan," said
McCarthy.
"He's having a great education and playing in midfield. He's
turning into a good Premier League player but is he going to win
the Champions League playing in that position?
"That's what Chelsea want to find out. If he continues as he
is, and even stays with us next year, he is getting one hell of an
education and doing a really good job.
"I've not spoken to Chelsea yet, we will have to see what
their feelings are because he is their player."
