Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 Southampton 6
If Mick McCarthy ever needed any proof of his popularity rating at Molineux, he got it halfway through Wolverhampton Wanderers' worst beating in almost 40 years.
It was just after 4.10pm, Southampton had just scored their fourth goal and you might have thought spirits could not sink any lower.
From the euphoria of Wolves' last home game, the derby victory over West Bromwich Albion three weeks ago, to this nightmare, error-strewn attack of the promotion jitters.
Uplifting though it was to finally see someone with the name ending in '-owski' score at Molineux, this was still a nightmare. But, in their own way, the home fans made it just as memorable as that beating of the Baggies.
This was the day when Molineux's South Bank joined ranks, evoked memories of the golden age of football supporting and sent out the heartfelt message to their team that they knew what the score was . . . or rather, the story behind the scoreline.
"Super Mick McCarthy," they chanted with deafening fervour.
The appreciative McCarthy acknowledged them with an emotional wave. And the fans, feeling a bond with their manager that the arrogant Glenn Hoddle could only have dreamt about, did not shut up for the final half-hour of one of the most freakish contests Molineux is ever likely to stage.
A patched-up Saints side, admittedly one containing a Pele and a Best, went on to net twice more, handing Wolves their worst defeat since they lost by the same scoreline at home to Liverpool in October 1968. It was the first time since Wolves had shipped half-a dozen goals in an afternoon since losing 6-1 to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane in 1982.
It was the first time they had conceded six at Molineux since Southampton, then the FA Cup holders and starring Mick Channon, Peter Osgood et al, won 6-2 in October 1976. But, on an afternoon when everything Saints hit turned to gold and Wolves had more the Medusa than the Midas touch, the only way to treat this one was to try to laugh it off as a freak result.
McCarthy was visibly grateful for the show of terrace support that suggests Wolves' challenge is far from over, bearing in mind they are still in the play-off zone.
At the final whistle, rather than letting his men slouch down the tunnel, McCarthy made them come back, mass in the centre circle and pay their respects to the fans. It was a gesture that was much appreciated and allowed these players, such heroes in recent weeks, the chance to leave the field with heads still held high. It was a defiant message to the rest of the Championship that Wolves should not yet be discounted.
"It makes me feel humble, that," said McCarthy. "It was something you could never expect when you're being beaten 4-0.
"I loved it. A real piece of bloody-mindedness from our fans to tell us they still believed in us and we reciprocated but it's down to the players. They're the ones who have changed the mood at the club from that of apathy when I came here. The fans believe in the players."
The collective responsibility even extended to the main stand when the fans invited much-abused chief executive Jez Moxey to 'Moxey, Moxey, start a wave'.
To his great credit, Moxey did. And still the party atmosphere did not let up, even when on-loan Pole Marek Saganowski completed his hat-trick to hit Saints' sixth goal. With seven minutes left, the South Bank responded with 'We're going to win 7-6'.
"We all know football fans have a great sense of humour," said McCarthy, "but to maintain that when you're losing 6-0 at home was something else."
If the pride and passion are still in place, if not Wolves' positive goal difference, how does McCarthy now go about eliminating all the individual errors that added up to such a beating?
In truth, the killer blows all came in the final 20 minutes of the first half. Within three minutes of letting in a soft opening goal, Matt Murray steered in Rudi Skacel's cross off Gary Breen's legs for the second. And after Saganowski had produced an astonishing finish for the third, chipping Murray from 30 yards, it all went even further wrong when, having won a penalty for handball, Michael Kightly extended Wolves' run from the spot this season to nought from three.
A one-off, McCarthy was asked? "I ******* hope so", he said. "For 20 minutes, we looked bang at it, but we conceded the first, which was too easy, the second's an OG, the third's a 'worldie', because to chip Matt Murray from where he did was an unbelievable finish. And I was finding it hard to believe we were three down because we were still having chances, one hooked off the line, one hit the post, the keeper's made a great save and we missed a penalty.
"In the second half, we tried to get forwards on and change it and I knew I'd leave myself a bit bare at the back and I take responsibility for that. But it was one of those days when you have to take it on the chin."
The key to their season now is whether chins in the Wolves dressing room are as strong as their manager's.
Scorers: Saganowski (24); Breen (27); Saganowski (36), Best (54); Surman (79), Saganowski (83)
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (4-4-2): Murray; Edwards (Bothroyd 59), Collins, Breen, Clapham (Craddock 59); Kightly, Potter, Olofinjana, McIndoe; Ward (C Davies 65), Keogh. Subs: Budtz (gk), Gleeson
SOUTHAMPTON (4-4-2): Bialkowski; Ostlund, Powell, Pele, Makin; Surman, Guthrie, Wright, Skacel; Best (Licka 84), Saganowski. Subs: Miller (gk), Wright-Phillips, Cranie
Referee: G Salisbury (Lancashire)
Bookings: Wolves — Potter (foul)
