McCarthy gives credit to defence

Neill Collins and his fellow defenders have earned the praise of McCarthy

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy believes his defenders are proving to be the foundation of the club's Championship promotion challenge this season.

The 3-1 win at Sheffield United, the men from Molineux's seventh in a row, saw them show real fighting instinct.

"It was a real aerial battle but I think we've defended against that really well," McCarthy told BBC WM.

"The stoic, resolute defending at the back has given us that platform from which to win games."

The visitors' treatment table was certainly busy after the final whistle with a whole host of bumps and bruises suffered in combat.

"It's like the Somme out there, I've got three of them carted off," McCarthy noted.

"There's a broken nose, a big cut to Carl Ikeme's leg, and Dave Edwards has come off with concussion, so I reckon we've done all right tonight."

The Wolves manager was understandably delighted with another two-goal haul from his Scottish striker Chris Iwelumo, taking his season's tally to 15.

"Two well-worked goals as well, and the second was a fabulous strike," McCarthy enthused.

"Have you seen the first one ? Where did he get that from? Tiptoeing through the back four and staying on his feet and rolling it in the net.

"His second was a wonderful strike, just a pure strike that."

Wolves' victorious run is the second time this season that they have put together seven consecutive league wins.

The last time, in August and September, it was ended by then second-placed Reading at Molineux.

And again it will be the team closest to them, Birmingham City, who will get the chance to stop them going for an eighth straight win at Molineux this Saturday (29 November, 1230 GMT).