"It was a terrific first-half performance," McCarthy said after the game.
"It was a really improved display. I thought our luck had deserted us but then maybe our luck came back here.
"We played well, I'm delighted with the overall display.
"It is never easy, there's frustrations all around the league and it's no different here.
"Dave Jones has got it at Cardiff, Steve Coppell's got it down at Reading and Alex McLeish has got it at Birmingham.
"There's two scenarios here. It's an anagram isn't it? If I get promoted I'm a god and if we don't I'm a dog."