Wolves manager Mick McCarthy and West Brom manager Roy Hodgson are two men under intense pressure. However, the pressure on Mick McCarthy relieved somewhat after the end of last week.

Wolves managed to beat QPR away from home in a thrilling encounter, which gives the opportunity for Wolves to take six points in three matches.

This would put them comfortably above the relegation zone for the next few weeks at least. They are currently one point above the 17th placed Bolton. West Bromwich Albion are not in a much better position, as the fourth successive home defeat has only increased the pressure on manager Roy Hodgson.

That said, the current Premier League odds for relegation place Wolves and West Brom amongst the favourites to be in the bottom three at the end of the season.

The two managers will be locking horns during this weekend in the feisty Midlands derby. A lot of the Wolves have been turning their back on their own manager in recent weeks. Roy Hodgson has commented on this nature by the Wolves by saying that Mick McCarthy is a victim of his own success. Despite not spending extravagant sums of money, Mick McCarthy has been able to keep Wolves in the Premier league since their arrival from the Championship a few seasons ago. In the same period, West Brom have been relegated a few times.

Mick’s done a magnificent job and so has the owner there. Wolves is a well-run club and it’s a case of expectations when you do that well. He took them up and they stayed in the league, then people want to see you move on even further,” said Hodgson. Even though West Brom have lost four consecutive home matches, they have a five-point cushion from the drop zone.

However, Roy Hodgson is the sort of manager who will want to not add any pressure on to his players. As a result, he will want nothing from a victory against Wolves during the weekend.