Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy pays tribute to Chris Iwelumo

Aug 16 2008

WOLVES boss Mick McCarthy paid tribute to new signing Chris Iwelumo after the two-goal hero grabbed his second Molineux double of the week to gun down Sheffield Wednesday.

Iwelumo's vital headed first-half equaliser helped turn a potential home defeat into a stunning 4-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. And his close-range second-half effort, his fourth goal in two games, helped Wolves' run up their best win at Molineux under McCarthy.

But, after coming on as a substitute and setting up Wolves' late equaliser at Plymouth last weekend, McCarthy admitted that it was his two goals in the midweek Carling Cup win over Accrington Stanley that earned him his place.

"Andy Keogh was unfortunate to be left out," said McCarthy. "He'd not done anything wrong.

"But, if ever a decision was vindicated, it was picking Chris Iwelumo on his contribution on Tuesday night.

"Big Chris wasn't picked at Plymouth last week but he came on and set up a goal.

''He played in midweek and scored two goals and now he's scored two more. That's the way to get yourself picked.

"I love Andy Keogh to bits. But the decision was nothing to do with Andy not being picked. The way Chris played in midweek, and the two goals he got, it would simply have been remiss of me not to play him.

"I've finally found the big striker I've been looking for these past two years.

"You sign them on what they can do and you're thrilled when it happens.

"He's been a revelation. Centre halves don't dominate against us any more. We don't have to plough our way through"

McCarthy also raved about the form of wingers Michael Kightly and Matt Jarvis.

"Jarvo and Kites on our pitch at home playing like that and putting crosses in are a real handful,' added the delighted boss' ..SUPL: