Wolves have not been good enough to stay up, say Terry Connor

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<div class="track"><img alt="" src="http://hits.guardian.co.uk/b/ss/guardiangu-feeds/1/H.24.1.1/59820?ns=guardian&pageName=Wolves+have+not+been+good+enough+to+stay+up%2C+say+Terry+Connor%3AArticle%3A1734818&ch=Football&c3=Guardian&c4=Premier+League+2011-12%2CWolverhampton+Wanderers+%28Football%29%2CManchester+City+%28Football%29%2CPremier+League+%28Football%29%2CFootball%2CSport&c5=Unclassified%2CPremier+League&c6=Press+Association&c7=12-Apr-22&c8=1734818&c9=Article&c10=News&c11=Football&c13=&c25=&c30=content&c42=Sport&h2=GU%2FSport%2FFootball%2FPremier+League+2011-12" width="1" height="1" /></div><p class="standfirst">• 'Today is a raw, emotional day' says caretaker manager <br />• 'We need to be competitive in the final three games'</p><p>"It's tough – a raw day," said Terry Connor. The Wolverhampton Wanderers caretaker manager was clearly upset and holding back the tears in his post-match interview after his side lost 2-0 to Manchester City at home to confirm their relegation.</p><p>Connor replaced Mick McCarthy at Molineux in February but in his time in charge the team have failed to win a game&nbsp;and the drop from the Premier League was the unwelcome result of their latest defeat. "We knew coming in we had to try and win it – it is raw for the players, staff, supporters and everyone connected to Wolves. It probably will be for a few days."</p><p>When he asked about the Wolves fans, he said: "They were superb today and for the majority of the season they've been great. Today is a raw, emotional day. I understand they'll be hurting over the next weeks to come."</p><p>Connor praised the side's commitment against City but he was honest in his assessment of Wolves over the season as they face the prospect of playing in the Championship in August. "The lads gave everything over the course of the season. It's obvious we haven't been good enough. But we need to be competitive in the final three games. We have to show absolute integrity. Over 35 games we were not good enough to stay in the league."</p><p>Connor insisted he had no regrets about his handling of the latter stages of the campaign and added: "I've been very honest in what I've tried to do with players and the club. I have nothing to reproach myself from over the last 10 games. The reason we've failed today is over 35.</p><p>"I just want to get through to 13&nbsp;May and get as many points as possible. I need all the players to commit to that and then sit down as a club and plot the future."</p><p>The Wolves midfielder Karl Henry said: "We all hold out hands up. We have just&nbsp;not been good enough this season. There is nothing else we can say – we came&nbsp;up short."</p><p>Asked about the impact of McCarthy's sacking the 29-year-old midfielder was realistic about the problems the team were facing. "I think the timing was bad but the chairman wanted to move in a different direction and he's the boss. We were already on a downward spiral."</p><p>Roberto Mancini, the City manager, offered his commiseration after his side's win sent the hosts down. "I am sorry for them being relegated. They play very strong always, every game they have a strong mentality."</p><div class="related" style="float: left; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><ul><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/premier-league-2011-12">Premier League 2011-12</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/wolves">Wolverhampton Wanderers</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/manchestercity">Manchester City</a></li><li><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/premierleague">Premier League</a></li></ul></div><br/><div class="terms"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk">guardian.co.uk</a> &copy; 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our <a href="http://users.guardian.co.uk/help/article/0,,933909,00.html">Terms & Conditions</a> | <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/help/feeds">More Feeds</a></div><p style="clear:both" />
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