McCarthy praises debutant Berra but ex-Hearts star ends on losing side

ANTHONY BROWN
CHRISTOPHE BERRA blew a glorious chance to score as he suffered a debut defeat with Wolves on Saturday, but the former Hearts skipper was consoled by words of praise from his new manager Mick McCarthy.
Berra was left out the squad for last Tuesday night's clash with Norwich City at Molineux as McCarthy felt it would be wrong to throw his new £2.3 million recruit in at a time when he hadn't even had a chance to learn his new team-mates' names.

But after watching the stuttering Coca-Cola Championship leaders ship three goals in a potentially-damaging 3-3 draw with the Canaries, McCarthy had no hesitation in pitching the 24-year-old Edinburgh boy in at centre-back for the short trip to Ricoh Arena to face Midlands rivals Coventry City.

With Wolves' demanding fans growing increasingly frustrated with their leaky defence, hopes were high that Berra would be the man to shore things up and help get their title bid back on track. Berra, however, urged fans to allow him "five or ten games" to find his feet. Nevertheless, he was given a baptism of fire when handed his bow against a Coventry side who regard Wolves among their fiercest foes.

The Scotland internationalist would also have to contend with having the expectant eyes of Wolves' biggest travelling support in ten months trained on him, as 4736 fans made the 35-mile trek across the west Midlands. A stomach bug would do little to ease the nerves of a man desperate to impress his new employers.

Despite the fact Wolves lost 2-1, Berra emerged as one of their most assured performers and was not, as was suggested on Sky Sports' Gillette Soccer Saturday programme, to blame for either Coventry goal. The Scot frantically tried to rectify a mistake by his goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey, but was pipped to the ball by Michael Doyle, who forced home the hosts' opener after 24 minutes. Five minutes before the break, Berra was presented with his chance to become an instant hero when a Michael Kightly corner found him unmarked six yards out, but he was unable to keep his header on target.

He had a second-half strike easily gathered by Coventry goalkeeper Kieren Westwood before sub Sam Vokes levelled for Wolves with 14 minutes left. But they were undone again just three minutes later when Leon McKenzie scored what proved to be the winner.

Berra could perhaps have done a bit more to close down Jordan Henderson before his pass released the goalscorer, but to apportion blame would be harsh in the extreme.

Sylvain Ebanks-Blake blew the chance to earn Berra and his new colleagues a point when he missed a stoppage-time penalty, but, despite seeing his team's advantage at the top cut to four points by Reading, who have a game in hand, McCarthy insisted his new man deserved nothing but plaudits for his debut display. "I thought Berra was good," said McCarthy, who celebrated his 50th birthday on Saturday.

"He had a bit of a tummy bug at half time but he played on. He did what he had to do in the game I think. He slotted in to a back four of a team that's been shipping goals but he didn't contribute to that against Coventry. I was pleased with his performance."

The Ricoh Arena encounter saw Berra come up against another debutant centre-half from the Lothians in the form of James McPake. The former Livingston captain, who was making his first appearance for Coventry, produced a commanding display to nullify the threat of Scotland striker Chris Iwelumo, a man whose scintillating early-season form is now a distant memory ahead of next month's World Cup qualifier in the Netherlands.

Former Hibs midfielder Guillaume Beuzelin also played a prominent part in the hosts' victory, but another ex-Easter Road favourite was denied a Championship bow when he failed to make Doncaster Rovers' match-day 16 for their 3-2 victory at Blackpool. The hosts had on-loan Rangers midfielder Charlie Adam sent off for kicking out off the ball.

Elsewhere in the Championship, ex-Hibs defender Mathias Doumbe endured a miserable afternoon as his Plymouth Argyle side crashed 3-0 at home to Derby County, for whom Scotland's Gary Teale scored a 25-yard raker and ex-Motherwell striker Chris Porter came on late on. Former Hearts left-back Gary Naysmith had a bad day as Sheffield United lost to city rivals Wednesday.

On-loan Old Firm duo Chris Killen and Alan Gow were both late substitutes as Norwich City lost 2-1 at home to a Bristol City side for whom ex-Hearts duo Lee Johnson and Jamie McAllister started and former Hibee Ivan Sproule came on as a 31st-minute sub. Alex McLeish's Birmingham remain third after a 1-1 draw with Owen Coyle's Burnley.

In League One, Aberdeen legend Dean Windass produced a fine 40-minute display as an emergency goalkeeper for Oldham against Leicester after former Gretna stopper Greg Fleming was sent off. Windass produced a string of fine saves as his side held the league leaders to a 0-0 draw.

Taken from the Scotsman