The midlands club remain in the Barclays Premier League relegation zone after being defeated 3-2 at Molineux by Bolton yesterday.

The hosts carved out several good opportunities in the opening period but shot themselves in the foot - as they had in their previous game - by conceding a goal in the first minute, Richard Stearman heading past his own goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann.

Second-half strikes from Johan Elmander and Stuart Holden then gave Bolton a 3-0 lead, and although Kevin Foley and Steven Fletcher swiftly reduced the deficit, McCarthy's men were unable to find an equaliser before the final whistle.

Wolves have earned plaudits for their performances in recent weeks but are yet to keep a single clean sheet this term, something the manager knows must be addressed.

"I think we have to make sure we keep a clean sheet, however that may be," said McCarthy, whose side have only two victories and nine points from 13 league games so far.

"Let's stay in the game to start with. We have played some great football and created loads of chances but we have conceded three goals.

"We might have to just start at basics and make sure we keep a clean sheet."

Wolves went into the contest off the back of a high-profile sequence of fixtures against Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal, but McCarthy insisted the prospect of Bolton - who moved up to fifth in the table - had not been underestimated.

"I thought this was a harder game - and I said that to the players in the week - because of the danger that people expect us to win it," McCarthy said.

"They are a very good team, on-form at the minute, so it was always going to be a hard game - and it was made increasingly hard by conceding a goal after 50 seconds."

McCarthy's opposite number Owen Coyle expressed his confidence that Wolves will start picking up points.

"Wolves are a far better side than their league position suggests and that will turn for them, there is no doubt," Coyle said.

"They just have to keep banging away on that door, but I have to look after Bolton Wanderers, and it was an important win for us."

Bolton have now lost only once in nine league games, although Coyle stressed his overall target for the season - to improve on last year's 14th-place finish - has not changed.

"My aspirations are well-documented," Coyle said.

"At any football club that I'm fortunate enough to be the manager of, I always try to improve that club on a year on year basis, recognising that some years it is easier than others in terms of finance.

"Sometimes you can go and spend and we have not had that luxury this year, but we have a group of players who give everything they have got.

"The group is a joy to work with and we have to keep striving to be the best we can.

"We have shown that we can go toe-to-toe with the best, that we can defend for our lives if we have to and we can show a little bit of quality on the ball."