Molineux success key for Wolves

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has told his players they must make Molineux a fortress in the new Barclays Premier League season.

Wolves kick-off their return to the top flight at home against West Ham on Saturday.

McCarthy is not hiding from the fact that how well they perform in front of their own fans will be the key to whether they can survive in the Premier League this season.

He said: "I would like to think we will have more chance of winning games at Molineux than if we are tripping along to Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool.

"I think we have more chance of doing it here. It is key to the season.

"The fans made it such an intimidating place last season that it was great.

"In my first season here, it was a bit like backs against the wall and fighting the world. It will be like that again this season.

"It is great when you are the underdog, you get performances out of people and supporters and out of the club. It is bucking the trend and we like to do that.

"The Stoke City fans made a huge difference to their team last season. They really did. I think it shows how vital they can be."

McCarthy admitted that the achievements of Stoke and Hull last season, in beating the drop, can be an inspiration to his team.

The former Sunderland boss added: "I just look at the players Stoke and Hull are trying to sign now because they have developed from having a season in the Premier League.

"That is what we are all hoping for. If we can do what Stoke or Hull did, that is just what we want to do.

"It would be lovely if, with two or three games to go, we were not involved in that scrap at the bottom.

"That would be fabulous. But we all know that it will be hard and there is no point trying to hide from that fact.

"I don't want to fast-forward my next 12 months but if we were sat here and we had finished 17th wouldn't that he an achievement because we could then build on that.

"Go and have a look at the bookies and see what the odds are. They are not stupid are they.

"I think you will find the odds are we are one of the favourites to go down."

Wolves will be without central defender Christophe Berra against West Ham after he suffered a hamstring strain playing for Scotland against Norway, while Kevin Doyle is a doubt after picking up a groin problem playing for the Republic of Ireland.

But they have signed Chelsea's under-21 ace Michael Mancienne on a season-long loan and he trained with Wolves yesterday as the deal was sealed.