Selection decision affects McCarthy axe odds

According to Ladbrokes, the Wolves manager’s price to get the axe has fallen from 16/1 to 12/1 after he made 10 changes to the side that beat high flying Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 last Saturday.

Wolves' starting XI at Old Trafford had made just 44 appearances between them this season, and were comprehensively beaten 3-0 against an under-strength United side.

And Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said: "McCarthy’s decision has only heaped more pressure on him.

"Just when it appeared he was turning the corner following a good win at Spurs."

Phil Brown is still favourite for the chop at 7/4 with Liverpool’s Rafa Benitez in second place at 6/1.

Wolves took 3,400 fans to Old Trafford hoping to see their side pull off another shock against an injury-hit United, only to be left frustrated and disappointed with McCarthy’s team selection.

Arthur Williams, head of the North-West Wolves association told the BBC:  

"It's well catalogued that United haven't the best of defences at the moment, with injuries and so on, and I just thought with the likes of the players that were missing we just might have pressed on and got something out of it.

"Wolves sold out their allocation, paid £42 each, plus the time and cost of travelling, and my first reaction when I saw 10 changes and players playing out of position was, I thought, grossly disrespectful."

McCarthy could face punishment for his actions after Premier League chiefs asked for the Wolves manager to explain his team selection.

Under Premier League rule 20, section E, a team must field a full-strength side in all top-flight matches.

Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.