Connor: No Wolves player has a guaranteed place

The new man in charge at Molineux has been tasked with ensuring that the Black Country outfit survive the drop this term following Mick McCarthy's sacking. And £4.5 million summer signing Johnson had to be content with a place on the bench in Connor's first game, as he looked to make changes following a 5-1 home defeat to West Brom last time out. "I've told the lads that I will treat every game on its own merits," he said. "And I will pick what I think is the best team for that game regardless of captaincy, what anyone cost or a player's reputation. "When you lose a game 5-1 at home like we did against West Brom you're not going to send out the same team and the same subs. I went with my gut feeling." Despite handing Stephen Ward the captaincy in Johnson's absence, Connor has been quick to praise the former Birmingham City man's character for his response. He also insisted that the defender was not solely responsible for the heavy loss to their Midlands rivals which cost Mick McCarthy his job. "I didn't want to do it but I thought it was the right decision," he added. "I'm not blaming Roger for us losing to West Brom but most people would agree you couldn't keep the same team and subs when you've lost 5-1. "But Roger took it very well, took it on the chin. He supported the lads and did everything I'd expect of him as captain of the team. That's what you have to do. "He will want to be in the next team [at Fulham] so he has to be a good pro. Being captain doesn't mean that you have to play in every game."