Wolves’ boss Mick McCarthy hailed man-of-the-match Kevin Foley for his “memorable” performance in his side’s defeat of Barnsley at Molineux – a result which keeps them six points clear of their nearest rivals Birmingham City at the top of the Championship.
Foley was instrumental in Wolves’ hard-fought win, defending stoutly, helping force a Barnsley own-goal and then scoring a strike of his own to ensure Wolves took their points tally to an impressive 53 so far this season.
McCarthy said: “I thought Kev was outstanding. He is not always as good as that but if you were giving him marks, that would be a nine out of ten, at least. If it wasn’t, then there is something drastically wrong.
“He doesn’t do that every week but he is consistently very good and has been very consistent from the day he walked through the door.
“We have our own thoughts on marks and he was a seven last week but he rarely drops below that. He has been a real solid performer, he is just that kind of guy and is a smashing fella.”
Foley himself was disheartened last week when Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni watched his performance in Wolves’ 1-0 defeat at Loftus Road. But McCarthy is convinced that the right-back, who has been on the bench for the Republic o Ireland ten times but has yet to get a start, will fulfil his international ambitions.
He said: “Trapattoni came to see Kev at Queens Park Rangers and he had his worst game ever but I say to the lads that if you have 46 games in a season, you will have one or two stinkers. If you have 38 good ones or whatever, you will do alright.”
McCarthy added: “He cannot do more than just keep playing like he does.
“This was one of those memorable days for him. His defending was great and he sealed his performance with a fine goal.”
