SOCCER:STEPHEN HUNT insists he's ready to make more of an impact at Wolves next year after providing a timely reminder of his capabilities in last week's critically important win against old rival West Brom.
Reflecting on the victory, Mick McCarthy has criticised the reaction of some supporters to the news he had opted to play Hunt ahead of Matt Jarvis, insisting the Irishman’s fresher legs would provide a boost to his side.
But the midfielder insists he can produce the goods week in week out next year after enduring a desperately frustrating first campaign at Molineux. He has been laid up at different times with foot, calf and hernia problems since signing from Hull City.
“It’s going to be a short-term impact from me in terms of the three games this season with a view to making a bigger long-term impact next season,” says the Waterford player. “I’ve never stopped believing in myself and it was nice to put in a good performance. It gives me some confidence going into the weekend.”
McCarthy, meanwhile, suggested that some of the club’s supporters had been a little too quick to grumble when they saw Jarvis was being rested last weekend.
“People forget very quickly what Hunt was like playing against us for Reading and Hull,” he said. “We all hated him – and loved him as well and all wished he was in our team. Then we got an opportunity to put him in our team and all the people saw was negativity because it was Matt Jarvis whose place he was taking.
“Without doubt it was his best game – he’s hardly played because it was only his 12th start in the league,” he said. “He set the tone for the team.”
Former Republic of Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley is expected to keep on playing, most likely in addition to taking on some coaching responsibilities, despite being released by Coventry City at the age of 37.
In addition to Carsley, the club have released former Aston Villa defender Stephen O’Halloran and 19-year-old goalkeeper Michael Quirke. Neither had established themselves at the club, according to the manager, to feature in his plans for next season.
Andy Thorn has, meanwhile, expressed an interest in replacing one Ireland international goalkeeper with another in the event Keiren Westwood opts, as expected, to leave on a free transfer.
Keith Millen has again said he hopes to keep Stephen Henderson at Bristol City despite the fact the goalkeepers ranked above him, David James and Dean Gerken, have already agreed new deals.
“It’s important to have three good goalkeepers and I want to keep all of mine,” said the City boss who has offered the Dubliner a new two-year deal. “Stephen showed what a good prospect he is by going to Yeovil on loan and picking up all of their player of the year awards, which is great for him and for us. The next step up for him is to prove himself in the Championship.”
