February 2008 Archives

Talk about Martin Taylor's tackle on Eduardo brought out some interesting points from Mick McCarthy at this morning's press conference.

McCarthy, who expressed sympathy for both in the wake of last week's events and the furore which followed, explored the idea of how the game has changed since his time as a player.
"It's in no way as physical now," he insisted.

"There are a lot of tarts now playing the game who fall over at the drop of a hat and that includes defenders as well.

"It really irks me when I see it.

"I feel for referees, because I get it when I referee games between our lads in training.

"They start quizzing my decisions and appealing for everything and I just tell them that as long as it says Mick McCarthy, manager, above my door then it's my game so they can clear off and stop annoying me.

"I was at the Hearts/Rangers game in midweek and there was an incident where a player went over looking for a free kick, which clearly wasn't a free kick.

"The referee dismissed it and the team ended up conceding a goal.

"Now if that could happen every time a player did a dive or feigned something it would be proper justice."

What McCarthy didn't quite think was justice was another incident he then recounted from his own career.

"One of our players got booked and as usual I went across to remonstrate with the perpetrator," he said.

"But then our chap looked up at me and winked and said he was trying to get the other lad booked.

"I just lifted our bloke up and told him to get on with it which he wasn't happy with and we ended up arguing.

"A few minutes later I swung a right hook at someone and hit them and got sent off.

"Interestingly enough their player who I'd tried to save from a booking before came running over and told his team-mate to stay down because I was going off.

"I'm not sure that's quite justice to be fair!"

I was trying to find the above incident on YouTube but it seems to have disappeared.

Maybe that's belated justice after all!

As the first signing of Mick McCarthy's Molineux reign some 18 months ago Gary Breen was never going to set the pulses racing.

But here we are - a year-and-a-half on - and McCarthy's most trusted on-field lieutenant could have a pivotal role to play between now and the end of the season.

Breen became something of a cult figure among the Molineux faithful as he won them over in the early stages of his Wolves existence.

At 34, he's clearly not in the formative years of his career but what he may lack in pace is more than compensated for by an ever-alert footballing brain and even now an appetite for success.

McCarthy's Wolves may have produced good defensive performances without Breen in the side, but with him they just seem so much more solid a unit.

Since the skipper's return after four months out injured there has of course been the debacle of the first 10 minutes at Cardiff.

But sandwiched either side came two impressive defensive displays at Blackpool and Crystal Palace that trousered Wolves a healthy four points.

And Breen's influence behind the scenes cannot be over-estimated.

Streetwise, knowledgeable and experienced, the former Republic of Ireland international is a calm and composed presence amid a generally young and vibrant dressing room.

And while those whippersnappers may describe him as a "supply teacher" due to their opinions of his dress sense, instilled within that is some serious respect.

Breen and Jay Bothroyd often share lifts due to the proximity of their residences - two contrasting characters you could perhaps not wish to find - but it's perhaps another example of Breen's influence and, much as Wolves fans might doubt it sometimes, Bothroyd's desire to learn.

Surely one day destined for the dugout if he so wishes Breen is also a key figure when it comes to the media.

Not one who enjoys talking just for the sake of it, his interviews are clear and unequivocal always conveying an important message.

Wolves may or may not reach the play-offs because it remains a tough ask to do so over the last 13 games of the season.

But if they do, it's a fairly safe bet to assume Breen will have played a captain's innings.

IT'S now a decade-and-a-half since a certain Robert David Keane agreed to sign schoolboy terms with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Visited in the modest Keane family home in Tallaght near Dublin by a contingent from Wolves including former Academy director Chris Evans, the skilful striker plumped for a move to Molineux above several other more high-profile suitors.

But it proved the perfect move and went on to give Robbie Keane the perfect grounding ahead of this afternoon, finally winning a much-deserved first winners' medal in the Carling Cup.

It's difficult to believe it's over 11 years since Keane burst onto the senior scene to devastating effect with a brace on his debut at Norwich, his parents sat proudly in the stand having been flown over from Dublin by Evans.

Perhaps equally as difficult to believe that even though he departed Wolves almost nine years ago he is still revered in these parts and almost looked on as one of their own.

That's not only due to his 24 goals from 73 appearances over two seasons but also because throughout his ascent through the ranks, and even it seems today, Keane has never lost touch with his roots and never lost appreciation for those who nurtured his talents.

Evans, now of course at Bolton as one of Gary Megson's backroom staff, is still contacted by Keane for counsel and advice and the Republic of Ireland record goalscorer is also still best mates with current Wolves keeper Matt Murray.

It's been an interesting weekend for former Wolves legends as while the biggest of them all Steve Bull began his managerial career with a 0-0 draw for Stafford Rangers, Keane was at Wembley helping a Spurs side also including former Molineux loanee Tom Huddlestone defeat Chelsea.

Both remain close to the hearts of all of a gold and black persuasion who whilst hoping Bully's first managerial foray ends in success will also tonight be raising the odd toast or two for Keane's long-awaited first senior honour.

Perhaps one day we may see their like again - Michael Kightly anyone?

STEVE Morgan was facing the media today to mark the relaunch of the Wolves Aid charity and of course he was also faced with the $64,000 question.

What is the position regarding the future of Mick McCarthy?

Morgan wouldn't say.

He insisted any opinion he gave would be open to misinterpretation.

Of course even this approach is going to be open to misinterpretation because people will now assume he's not backing McCarthy because he hasn't done so publically.

Not necessarily the case.

Morgan's approach is probably quite sensible.

Had he come out very strongly backing his manager the reports put out by the local media would soon have been hyped up into a "vote of confidence".

And we all know what happens to managers who've been given a vote of confidence!

Morgan simply brushed the question aside as irrelevant, asked everyone to pull together and insisted the season was far from over.

In doing so he hasn't heaped any more pressure on McCarthy's shoulders, and has also left things in such a way that the season can be discussed far more calmly when the dust settles should it not be concluded in the manner in which Wolves want.

And everyone jumping up and down thinking that his silence on the big issue of the day is of particular significance should remember one pertinent thing.

What Morgan has said behind closed doors to McCarthy will be far different to anything he would ever say to the press.

All the very best to Wolves legend Steve Bull who has landed his first crack at management with Stafford Rangers.

I'm sure thousands of Wolves fans will be hoping he can produce a miracle to match his footballing one - remember the doctor who told him he could never play again? - and somehow keep Stafford in the Blue Square Premier.

The gate at Marston Road for his first game against Farsley Celtic a week tomorrow should be interesting!

Meanwhile a confession.

Bully was one of my footballing heroes as a kid, and what is it they say about never meeting your heroes incase you are disappointed?

Well he has to be one of the exceptions.

Always open to interview requests, always willing to proffer opinions on football issues of the day in those unmistakable Ocker Hill tones, Bully has always been a pleasure to deal with for all in the media.

He's also, with the astute help of wife Kirsty, forged a very successful business career post-playing.

But above all, he continues to show an infectious personality which will certainly help the players under his charge.

I heard one tale about the record goalscorer had been employed as guest of honour for the evening as a local business went out for a curry.

As the guests filtered away one by one, it was our man Bull whom, having long gone past the hour of being paid for his time, was still going strong and chatting away ten to the dozen.

You certainly can't beat a bit of Bully.

The postponement of Wolves' home game with Scunthorpe tonight was the first time in over four years a Molineux fixture had been cancelled.

Not a bad record that.

And while there is always going to be discussion about whether 5.40pm is an adequate time for a postponement, I think Wolves got it just about right.

They did everything in their power to try and get the game on, but still gave punters a couple of hours when finally realising it wasn't going to happen.

Anyway, I digress.

We may be a week after Valentines Day but for me this evening revived memories of that last time a Wolves game had been called off, against Liverpool in December, 2003.

On that occasion a mate of mine, once the game was postponed, went out on the town for one or two consolatory bevvies, met up with a young lady and formed the seeds of a happy relationship.

The two are still together to this day. And the chap remains a regular watcher of Wolves.

Without that postponement their paths may never have crossed.

I just wonder if the hand of fate might intervene in a similar way after tonight's cancellation - after all, it's a funny old game.

Neil Warnock may not exactly be everyone's cup of tea, and no doubt there'll be something to wind Wolves fans up during Saturday's game with Crystal Palace.
But I have to say I totally agree with his comments following last night's televised game between Bristol City and Palace.
I switched on for the last 20 minutes, and thought for all the world that referee Richard Beeby seemed desperate for City to equalise.
Every 50-50 went their way, he awarded them a ridiculous penalty and then allowed far too much injury time at the end of which they finally scored.
Warnock will probably get in trouble for his post-match diatribe, particularly the delightful comment that Beeby punching the air when City finally scored was a bit too much.
But why should he? It's a free country, and I think you'll find most football fans completely agree with him regarding the referee's performance.
What the FA would be far better advised to do would be make it obligatory for Beeby or one of his representatives to actually front up to the media afterwards and explain his decisions.
Or at least if we actually got to see constructive analysis from referee's assessors - good and bad - rather than it being swept under the carpet.
At least then fans, and managers, would know where they stand.

"Don't panic" - that was very much the message coming out from Wolves today from both Mick McCarthy and the upper echelons of Molineux power.

The vitriol may be continuing apace from the internet messageboards but McCarthy, Jez Moxey and Steve Morgan are quite probably the three calmest people at the football club if the signs are to be believed.

McCarthy visibly bristled and pretty much lost his rag when asked about his future by a BBC Radio reporter in the wake of Saturday's miserable FA Cup exit to Cardiff.

But at today's press conference ahead of the now crucial visit of Scunthorpe tomorrow night, the manager explained that was only because he didn't feel it was a question he should have been asked in the emotion-charged wake of a dreadful defeat.

This morning, at Compton, and in front of a small group of regulars who cover Wolves, he was far more disposed to discuss his current predicament.

And he did it matter-of-factly, eloquently, and with the steely determination that he WILL turn things round after the current run of results and have Wolves fighting for the play-offs by the end of the season.

We are also led to believe that both Moxey and Morgan are perfectly content to give McCarthy time which, in football's modern-day culture, is to their credit.

Of course things can still change ever so quickly, and a failure to overcome the banana skin of basement boys Scunthorpe tomorrow night will not go down well.

But for now at least, all is calm, "Don't panic" as Corporal Jones would say.

And whatever happens on the football pitch, life goes on.

McCarthy had to quickly and temporarily hot-foot it home after the press conference to sort out a problem which had seen wife Fiona without central heating.

A Wolves manager then who is not feeling the heat either at home or in work.

Thoroughly miserable day for all connected with Wolves yesterday.

A dreadful performance at Cardiff bringing this season's FA Cup run to an end, and not only that, results elsewhere mean Wolves are now seven points off the play-offs and the heat is well and truly on ahead of Tuesday's return to league hostilities with Scunthorpe.

The battle-hardened fans who made the laborious journey to Cardiff via official coaches made their feelings known to the Wolves players as they warmed down, and Mick McCarthy backed their actions as very much merited.

And it's worth pointing out at this juncture that whatever their performances out on the pitch this is a Wolves squad which never shirks its responsibilities of talking to the fans via the press.

McCarthy is obliged to fulfil post-match media duties, an obligation which he meets every time.

The players are under no such remit.

However, when requested, 99 per cent of the time they will answer questions provided there is no genuine reason why they shouldn't.

So down in the bowels of Ninian Park, just outside the dressing room within minutes of full time on Saturday, and indeed fresh from that post-match dressing down from supporters, Karl Henry was both honest and candid as he spoke of the crushing disappointment of Wolves' display.

So too a few minutes later skipper Gary Breen, as he left the ground with the rest of the forlorn squad.

Both Henry and Breen's opinions will appear in tomorrow's Birmingham Mail.

That may only be a small thing, and of course supporters would much rather the players do their talking out on the pitch rather than after full time.

But while fans can quite rightly hammer the players for the quality of their performances, don't ever think that they don't take their responsibilities seriously and that they don't recognise the disappointment they have caused the fans as well as themselves.

They do, and that is why they admirably face up to us hacks after games like yesterday even though having a tape recorder shoved under their nose is probably the last place they want to be.

As Wolves prepare to face former manager Dave Jones in tomorrow's FA Cup tie, and with fans in need of a pick-me-up after some mixed results of late, have a look at the following footage also involving Jones and Cardiff.
For no other reason than we can!!!