It’s been confirmed by Wolves this morning that they won’t be appealing against the controversial red card Karl Henry received at Arsenal on Saturday. Am I surprised? Not really. Had we been unsuccessful with the appeal, there’s every chance our skipper would have had his season all but ended by an additional ban on top of the three games he will already miss.
Anyway, this is what Mick McCarthy had to say:
“Having spoken to a lot of different people over the weekend, including a number of ex-referees, I haven’t found anyone yet who thinks that Karl should have been sent off. And that seems to be a view shared by those who have seen the incident on television as well. But having also sought advice in terms of the appeal process, we have decided to accept the punishment as it stands.”
I must admit, I’m slightly relieved this won’t go any further, as I already think it’s been blown way out of proportion. The thought of it lingering on any longer, with both sides sniping at each other, makes me feel a tad nauseous. Time to move on me thinks.
With our captain sidelined though, it does raise an interesting question as to who might fill in during his absence. There’s three likely candidates in my opinion:
Adlene Guedioura – The obvious choice I suppose and probably the most like for like replacement of the three candidates. He’s been a little unlucky to find himself out of the starting XI anyway, so is probably first in the queue to get back in. He seems far more tramadol pain treatment comfortable playing at Molineux and with some big home games to come, he should relish the atmosphere. The physical battle against Stoke on Sunday should also suit him down to the ground.
Dave Edwards – The man that never stops running made his comeback against Arsenal on Saturday and that great engine is an asset we’ve missed in the months he’s been sidelined. Probably a bit too soon to throw him straight back in, particularly against the physical bombardment he’d undoubtedly receive from the Potters. Injuries aside he’s a far more forward thinking player than Henry anyway, so isn’t a natural replacement by any means. Expect to see him on the pitch at some point though.
Nenad Milijas – Where has he gone? The Serbian dragged us back from the brink with superb performances against Bolton, Spurs and Burnley but has pretty much vanished since we switched to the 4-5-1 system. I suppose it’s pretty easy to see why, when you see how hard the three lads in midfield are being asked to work. I’d be very surprised to see him handed a start on Sunday, but will be disappointed if we don’t see him again before the season ends. I was at the Britannia earlier in the season when we were 2-0 down at half time. Milijas came on at the interval and they couldn’t live with him, particularly his delivery from dead balls. That has to be in the back of Mick’s mind ahead of this game.
I’ll also give you very, very generous odds on Segundo Castillo, Andrew Surman or even Greg Halford. It’s your money!
Anyway, what do we all think?
A mind boggling decision! Gutless and brainless Wolves! You’ve let Karl down, let the ref off the hook and let Wenger & co get away with it.
I sometimes despair at the decisions made by those running our club but rarely more than this morning.
Personally I think the Midfield should set up like this with Henry out
——Mancienne——-
—Guediora–Jones—
Edwards——–Jarvis
A tad harsh dropping Foley Hallam, as I think he’s improved a great deal over the last few weeks in the right midfield slot.
Although, Edwards would definitely give us something extra going forward, so I can see your logic.
I just don’t want to unnecessarily dissect the team that has done so well recently, so probably best to bring Guedioura back in and leave it at that for now.
I imagine that’s what Mick will do.
Just hasn’t done it for me. He has improved I will give you that but it’s not his natural position whereas (for me) Edwards fits the slot perfectly.
However I think you’re right with how Mick will set up.
Fuckin’ typical.
The Cowardly Lion strikes again.
We’ve only got 5 games left, what is the worse they can do, we’ve already lost him for 3 of them.
New in the bookstores today….
“How To Back Up Your Players In Public, Part One” by Mick “The CL” McCarthy.
I smell the hand of Moxey in this.
But even so, what they’ve done is despicable, and all that bollocks on Saturday with CL putting his arm round Henry, and the supposed anger at the sending off, was just that, Bollocks.
There was never any intention to appeal, just like Old Trafford, coz Moxey doesn’t want the extra expense to interfere with his bonus.
Fuck the injustice and all round comdemnation of the red card, we mustn’t be seen to complain, must we?
What would have happened if one of Arsene’s little whiners had got red carded, give them extra points coz those nasty vicious Wolves had dared to brathe the same air as them, or what?
Once again, we are getting stiffed, and this time by our own management team.
Bunch of pussy whipped cowards.
Fuck ’em all.
FOWB
What is all this Cowardly Lion nonsense you speak of?
He was obviously seething at the sending off. Did you see the footage at the time and the interviews afterwards? You can’t fake that.
He stated his annoyance on the situation, took advice from people in the know and made a decision based on that information. Sounds like good management to me.
Henry himself even said, “I can understand the decision not to appeal because we don’t want to run the risk of having the ban extended. But while I feel hard done by I have to move on – I’ve said my piece on it but it’s too risky to appeal.”
Blame Rosicky, blame Arsenal, blame the ref, blame the Premier League but for god’s sake, give our manager a rest.
It would be interesting to know whose decision it was not to appeal. I dont blame Mick because we just dont know who called this one.
But todays announcements have that oh so familiar Moxey stench about them. Is it reasonable to suppose that Karl would change his tune so dramatically in the space of 24 hours without some ‘encouragement’??
His statement today reminds me of a cold war show trial ‘confession’ by someone who’d spent a night or two with the KGB! I think his first comments were probably a more honest reflection of his true feelings.
But our CAPTAIN has been hung out to dry when he should have been backed to the hilt.
This decision is a cowardly capitulation that will do nothing to diminsh the bully-boy, arm-twisting, bias inducing behaviour of the so called ‘big clubs’. I’m appalled by it.
Seems some of us on here need to read what others put in writing then they would know why I refer to him as the Cowardly Lion.
See Old Trafford team selection.
If he was seething at the time, why not still be pissed off, and on Henry’s side?
I feel a lot of y’all are missing the point. It’s not about Henry as a player, and his good and bad points while on the pitch, it’s about the injustice done by the ref and the Arsenal players, and at least having the balls to speak up at a hearing, and following that through to the bitter end, whether or not an increased ban results from it. It’s the principle, and it would not be a frivolous appeal, as some are indicating.
By extension, all you lot on here who agree with the non appeal need to look at yourselves, and see if you are worthy of being Wolves fans, or if you are as pussy whipped as our management seems to be, and would rather be eating prawn sandwiches at Old Trafford.
For once we should stop being the nice guys, wringing our hands in abject apology, and start doing what we know Wenger, Ferguson and the rest would do….shout loud enuff until they get their own way.
As I’ve said before, fuck ’em and the horse they rode in on!!!!!
If I’ve upset anyone on here with my comments, well, fuckin’ hard luck, I say what I think and bollocks to anyone who doesnt like it.
The day they handed out verbal filters, I was watching the Wolves, so missed out, and life is a damn sight more interesting as a result.
Scooped, you are still ugly!!!
FOWB
What was cowardly about the old Trafford team selection? Most of those players are now regular starting 11.
At the time, they were the reserves. United were not playing well, having been beaten the previous Saturday by Villa, and we had nothing to lose by going for the jugular.
McCarthy bottled it and admitted defeat before a ball was kicked.
Hence the nickname.
What has happened since doesnt absolve him.
FOWB
Yeah and we beat Burnley on the sunday. We now lie 14th with a good chance of survival. Get over it
Starting to get personal, are we, Richey??????
If you read what I wrote, I said what has happened since …which is AFTER, as in not before, as in no one can predict the future with 100% accuracy, except you, obviously.
Isn’t everyone beating Burnley these days?
I stand by my accusation of MM, and whether or not we stay up will not change my opinion.
And if I’ve pissed someone else off, then it’s been another good day!!!
Clockwork Mouse???
FOWB
Wolves haven’t appealed because they know they can’t win the appeal.It was a correct decision-by the rules,a 100% red card.Unfortunately refs rarely follow the rules in this country,allowing too many bad challenges to go unpunished.
A pity really as Wolves are not a dirty team in general-nothing like Stoke or Hull.
I am ninety nine percent sure you are an Arsenal fan.
We haven’t appealed because that git Mariner is unlikely to accept he was wrong.
If I had to pickl it would be Nenad and out Jones in a more reserved role. Jones is really hard working. It’s out of Adlene and Edwards. I have a feeling he might start edwards, why else would he have put him on and not Guedioura?
edwards didn’t really look fit too, and it’s probably out of those two but I’d pick Milijas.
Mmmmmm.
Mick wil have a choice between two playes with class and a hrad working headless chicken in Edwards.
We all now the right move. Mick will stick with what he knows though unfortunately.
Just like to apologise for my woeful typing above!
It’s amusing how those who have consistently voiced their displeasure with Henry’s lack of forward thinking have now come out all guns blazing to criticise the management for not appealing his red card…goes to show how some people love a grumble.
While I was as furious as every other Wolves fan at his dismissal, I agree with Thomas that it is time to put this out of our system and move on. The last thing we want is for our club to adopt Arsenal victim complex.
Given that I have also been frustrated by Henry’s failure to take the ball forward at times, I am quite excited by the prospect of seeing Guedioura or Edwards fill in for him.
Losing our captain is obviously a great loss, but I think we can go into the next three games with the same level of confidence we’ve had for the last month
Hope you’re not referring to me Kev as I’m prob Henrys no.1 fan and made him my player of the season last term as well as this.
What has amazed me is the flack he’s received from certain quarters. Just goes to show how little some people know abot the game.
Wasnt referring to anyone in particular, and of course everyone’s entitled to their opinion. It’s more the people who slate the management at every given opportunity that I’m on about.
I personally wouldnt blame anyone at Wolves for this whole fiasco, as Thomas said it seems sensible to have sought advice from the right quarters, and looking at recent relevant examples (i.e. Ferdinand getting his ban extended after appeal) then opting to take the ban might be sensible, even if still ridiculously unfair.
Again though, just my opinion!
One question I do have though – if an appeal is unsuccessful is the ban automatically extended?
Yeah, Kev usually to 1 extra. I am annoyed too that we have to accept it but understand the reasoning. It’s not Mick’s fault or Moxey’s. The ref is unlikely yo admit he was wrong. It’s sad that club’s like Arsenal will continue to get away with pressuring the refs.
Great to see Arsenal get stuffed!
I disagree. Not great to see them stuffed, but great to see them at the wrong end of some dodgy refereeing.
I really wanted them to get beat.
They have cheek to complain about thpse dodgy decisions too! 😀
What chance we get enuff funds released to make a bid for Messy?????
That would be wonderful, seeing Wenger’s face as he has to face him in the league as well!!!
Ha ha, serves you right Arsenal, I for one am extremely pleased they got stuffed, and no amount of whining and moaning could change the fact that they were really second best.
Now Wolves, on the other hand, could have given Barcelona a game.
Wait 2 years, when we are in the champions league semi finals.
Mark my words, stranger things have happened.
FOWB
I’m with you Clive
I’m all for British teams doing well in Europe, but Arsenal…British?
However the only way we will be in Europe in 2 years is if we write a good song
There are plenty of good songs around, from the North Bank Choir days, but I don’t think any will get in the Eurovision thingy!!!
Looks like we’ll all be singing “Fuck Off W…B….” next season!
FOWB
Talking of the North Bank days… do you remember the guy who used to stand about half way down, to the left of the goal, that used to book everyone? What a character
I’m happy for Arsenal to get stuffed as well. Unfortunately, now we have the holier than thou brigade in Australia explaining to us that Barcelona aren’t a football club, they’re an ideology, they transcend humanity and become some form of collective demigod. That said, I’m still happy Arsenal got stuffed.
Anyone know why Castillo was dropped? I thought he was a good player and would have really made an impact in games against teams like Stoke etc due to his willingness to get stuck in (apologies for the cliché)
I read somewhere he had to return hom because of a bereavement?
He played last night in the reserves. Ebanks-Blake score (yes, scored!). It was a freekick.
To sit on our hands and do nothing just gives this bent league more licence to shaft clubs like ours. If 100 per cent of all pundits think it wasn’t a red, Dermot Gallagher said it wasn’t a red and Arsene Wenger said it wasn’t a red, then what more grounds do we want?
John Terry appealed one successfully (see link below) in 2008 on the same weekend Chris Iwelumo was stamped in the chest and got a red for us away at Preston.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/7614903.stm
Why are we so submissive and passive, particularly when it was so bloody unjust?
Why are cheating referees allowed to keep shafting us with little to no accountability.
Darell Harper has ONE dodgy test match in the cricket and he’s dropped from umpiring for god knows how long, sent out to pasture in Bangladesh.
Rugby referees are miked up and accountable from the 1st min to the last, and also given short shrift for shite performances, and disciplined accordingly.
But in the Premier League, all I hear is: “Well, they even themselves out” “Human error is forgiveable etc etc”
Bollocks. We’ve lost our club captain for 3 critical games which will determine our Premier League future, a guy who hasn’t been sent off in 300 games, for daring to challenge a precious Arsenal player, in a 1 footed, studs down challenge.
And what does the club do? Gag Henry from saying what he thinks (eventually) and pasively accept the excrutiating punishment like some whore from Lower Horseley Fields.
I’m sorry, but it’s just not on.
Benny, I’ve told you before about your bad language in public.
And didn’t Daddy teach you not to be critical of your elders?
So, no more fucking swearing about those useless sacks of shit referees again!
Got it?
Don’t make me come over there and smack you!!
FOWB
Rozickythingy made one that was ten times worse! But all that him was a yellow. Ludicrous!
Agree Ben. There have been scores of successful appeals and loads more that have failed WITHOUT extra matches being added to the ban.
The reason the FA inroduced this sanction was to make clubs think twice before using an appeal just to delay the start of the ban so as to keep the player available for a key fixture.
This pathetc capitulation by Wolves is not only misguided, its a damning condemnation of the clubs top level decision making.
I thought Arsenal made a lot of tackles last night that were just as bad as Henry’s.