Going Down With The Wolves

[White Noise]

Murphy jibe could be a break for under-fire Wolves boss McCarthy

Last updated at 12:19 AM on 14th October 2010


Mick McCarthy probably wouldn't see it as such. But Danny Murphy might well have done him a favour.
 
The Fulham midfielder's comments about McCarthy, Tony Pulis and Sam Allardyce pumping up their players so much that the lines between fair and illegal become blurred has fanned the flames of a fire that refuses to be extinguished.

Ever since Karl Henry zeroed in on Joey Barton during the fixture against Newcastle at the end of August, problems have followed.

Next up there was Bobby Zamora's broken leg. Now there is the fall-out from Henry's poorly-conceived lunge at Jordi Gomez.
 
Former Liverpool man Murphy said there was nothing wrong with Henry's challenge on Zamora on the day of the offence itself. 

Yet three weeks later, the Black Country club finds itself lumped in with the other two poor unfortunates of the Barclays Premier League in Murphy's eyes.
   
Never mind the fact that Wolves themselves have been the victims of a broken leg this season. 

Steve Sidwell's challenge on Adlene Guedioura towards the end of a hotly-contested derby with Villa was overshadowed by Emile Heskey's late winner and the fact that the prognosis was not given on the day.
   
Yet we hear not one word of condemnation from the Molineux camp of the tackle by Sidwell - a man undoubtedly trying to make a point in front of new boss Gerard Houllier - just an acceptance that these things happen.   
However, the argument over whether Wolves are/are not an overly-physical side is rendered less significant due to Henry's absence for the next three matches. And particularly, the one against West Ham this week.   
McCarthy will be without arguably his most influential player ahead of a game in which they could do with winning ahead of a run of four or five matches that may see the club propping up the remainder of the league by the end of it.
Murphy's law: Fulham midfielder has criticising the physical style of some teams
Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal lie in wait after the visit of the Eastenders and Molineux could end up boasting an atmosphere of doom and gloom to rival Walford by mid-November. 
Moreover, McCarthy desperately needs to find a goal threat from other areas of the pitch. The news that Stephen Hunt is making a return from his broken foot is promising. 
That said, he has played just 45 minutes' football in seven months following his run-out with the reserves on Tuesday night. Although he may be on the bench against the Hammers it would be a brave move to throw him back into the fray so quickly. 
McCarthy also has to sort out the best way of harnessing a combination from the following: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Steven Fletcher and Kevin Doyle.   
A large lump of his summer transfer budget went on securing Fletcher's services. 
As Stan Collymore famously said after Liverpool boss Roy Evans had spent £8.5m on him some 15 years ago: 'What's the point of paying that much money for someone if you are not going to use them in their best position?'   
Wolves remained in the Barclays Premier League last season having scored the fewest goals in the division and the equal lowest number of victories in front of their own fans - five.   
McCarthy moved to address that with Fletcher's acquisition. But time is moving on and we don't really seem to be much closer to an answer as to the best combination. 
Under pressure: Wolves boss Mick McCarthy
Yes, Doyle did well on his own last season and hasn't really found happiness alongside anyone else yet at Molineux, for all his graft. 
Ebanks-Blake's fantastic finish against Newcastle shows that yes, he too can find the net at this level, but that he also needs the likes of Jarvis and Hunt to load the gun.   
Further evidence for that can be gauged from the forward's hat-trick against Norwich City at Molineux during the promotion season. Each one of his goals had its' root in Jarvis assists.   
Fletcher, to me, has looked the most likely to flourish at this level. If that's the case, then sorry Kevin, but you may have to do some of the donkey-work for your Scottish pal to take the glory.   
It's an interesting discussion-point for the rest of us. McCarthy needs to get it right. There is huge pressure on his shoulders. The re-development of Molineux will only get the green light if it is likely that Premier League status is secure next season.   
Past 'Midlander' columns have always backed McCarthy and chief executive Jez Moxey because, first and foremost, I believe in them as people.   
McCarthy has improved Wolves as a club year-on-year since he was appointed. Moxey's column in Wolves' match-day programme and the fans' parliament, shows he is prepared to listen and make improvements where possible. They are not always qualities present in chief executives of football clubs, believe me.   
But with Wolves having taken the plunge by announcing the upgrade, the stakes have never been higher.   
Which is why now I return to the point I made at the top of the piece. 
McCarthy may be able to foster a siege mentality in the club thanks to Murphy's public utterances.   
Yes, Henry's challenge on Gomez was ill-advised. But there may just be the feeling that enough is now enough inside the Molineux dressing-room.   
That the club is just a bit fed-up with being a convenient kicking-post for football's ills.   
Murphy himself might be minded to remember the treatment meted out to Danny Mills a few years ago when he celebrated a goal in Lee Naylor's face at the Riverside. Ooh, dear me, they didn't forget that in a hurry in the South Bank, did they? But that's a point that will doubtless be made on April 23, 2011. 
Until then, Wolves' boss needs the support of the old gold and black family. Particularly this Saturday.
A wounded animal can still fight. I expect McCarthy will have his players in the appropriate frame of mind to take on West Ham this weekend.   
Irrespective of what Danny Murphy thinks.


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