Bandage-laden Jody Craddock admits Wolves will have to "give as good as they get" in the Barclays Premier League this season after a feisty share of the spoils with Newcastle on Saturday.

Craddock was left sporting another cut after a physical old afternoon against the Toon Army, one which finished one goal apiece and 12 booking apeice from referee Stuart Attwell.

The experienced defender had no complaints about the competitive edge to the 90 minutes, but refuted suggestions Wolves had singled out Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton for some special treatment.

"It was tough," said Craddock.

"It wasn't really a football match was it? It was more like a battle, and I think our share of the points was about right.

"It was an elbow that caught me, just one of those things.

"It was a physical game and I can't complain.

"I'm a centre-half, so I'm quite physical myself.

"It's just what happens (his cut eye) and I wasn't happy at the time.

"But that's just how it goes and you get it strapped up and back on the pitch."

Craddock continued:  "Of course we wanted to get into their faces, we want to play at home and that's how we needed to play.

"We know we need to mix it with teams and I feel we can and we can give as good as we get.

"We didn't single Joey Barton out particularly, that was just how we set out to play.

"We knew we needed to shut them down."

Craddock experienced at first hand the performance of one of the in-form marksmen in the Barclays Premier League as Andy Carroll proved a constant threat including heading home the second half equaliser.

"Carroll is the real danger man up front and he proved it on Saturday because that was a great header," he added.

"He's only young and has a great career potentially in front of him.

"He's scoring goals and he goes about it in the right way.

"If he continues to do that, then he will have a good career ahead of him.

"He's very good in the air but only Capello can tell you whether he's good enough for England - that's not for me to say."

Going back to Wolves Craddock is more than satisfied with the opening three weeks to the season which have mustered five points from three games and progress in the Carling Cup.

"It's four games unbeaten which is a good start to the season," the defender added.

"I think we are more solid now which started to come towards the end of last season and is all to do with confidence and getting a run going.

"And we are much more wiser and knowledgable at the start of this season than we were last year."