I Am Glad Sylvan Ebanks-Blake Is not playing tomorrow

Finish On A High
Posted on: Fri 24 Apr 2009
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has kept up the pressure on his promotion-winning team by setting them a 92-points target for the season - meaning victories in their two final games of the season against Barnsley and Doncaster.

Although Wolves sealed their Premier League berth with last weekend's victory against Queens Park Rangers, Mick insists there'll be no slacking and is determined that his players not only pick up the point needed to guarantee the Championship title, but also finish the season in style.

Barnsley's need for points to avoid relegation makes tomorrow's game spicy enough in any case, and as expected Mick will be fielding his strongest team possible.

That will however be a team without top scorer Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and midfielder David Jones.

Sylvan is struggling with a back/hamstring problem and David with a knee injury.

"Sylvan's not fit," said Mick.

"He's getting bother from his hamstring and back - he's played a lot of games this season and is just struggling a bit.

"And David's got a sore knee why he came off on Saturday.

"That's two changes but there won't be many more if it all.

"People who remember me playing for Barnsley will remember I always played with honesty and integrity and they wouldn't expect anything different from me as a manager.

"I will field my strongest possible team because I want to win the game and I want to win the Championship.

"And I want to finish with 92 points, two points a game which would be a fantastic return.

"I've said all along - through the ups and downs - that two points a game would get us what we want and we've still got the chance to achieve that."

Mick admits it's been more of a relaxing week around the training ground with the pressure off, but that there certainly won't be any relaxing on the pitch tomorrow as Wolves aim to give their massed following a final away game to savour.

"It was as a lovely day on Saturday and it's been a bit more relaxing with the pressure and intensity off," he added.

"I don't envy the others still involved in the promotion race but it's strange that it's over in a way.

"It's like anything that you really aspire to and when you finally achieve it there's almost an empty hollow feeling.

"You're always chasing something with the bit between your teeth and when you've done it there's almost something of a comedown afterwards.

"Maybe I don't like that happy and content feeling and just want to walk around feeling the stress and strains of it all!

"We must be adrenalin junkies because I've enjoyed that intensity and being right on the bit all the time but we still want to win the championship as well.

"There's a great feeling around the place that we've done it and a sense of relief and achievement but they've also come back in and been training well too.

"There's been no taking the feet off the gas - it's never been a problem all season and I don't expect it to be now."