Carl Hoefkens admitted he was in the dark about the challenge that led to Michael Mifsud being sent-off - because he didn’t see it coming.
The Albion defender was left poleaxed by the pocket-sized Coventry striker, who was shown a straight red card after only 10 minutes by referee Phil Dowd.
Television replays conclusively showed the Staffordshire official made the right decision after capturing the Malta international leading with his elbow.
Hoefkens was focused on the ball as Mifsud clattered into him, but he admitted his team mates had told him his opponent deserved his marching orders.
“I didn’t really see what happened because I was involved in the incident,” said Hoefkens.
“I was watching the ball and looking to head it out and then I felt something.
“At first I thought it was a finger in my eye, but it wasn’t.
“I haven’t seen it but apparently he went in with an elbow and looked like he meant to do it. I can’t say what it looked like because I don’t really know what happened, but from what the lads have said apparently the ref made the right decision.
“They said Mifsud looked towards me first and then went for me. I haven’t seen it on television.
“But the referee did and was quite close to it. Apparently it was the right decision.”
The Belgian international told Mifsud he’s not looking for an apology for the challenge after walking away unscathed.
“Mifsud didn’t come over and apologise but I don’t really mind,” said Hoefkens, who was unceremoniously booed by the home fans for the remainder of the game for his part in their favourite’s dismissal.
“He was clearly up for it and had already pushed me a few times. Maybe he was a bit frustrated. That’s fair enough and I don’t really mind so he doesn’t have to apologise.”
Albion struggled to find any rhythm after Mifsud’s dismissal and went in at half-time goalless.
Hoefkens agreed with boss Tony Mowbray’s assertion that Albion’s first half display at the Ricoh Arena was their worst of the season, but was equally proud of their response as a four goal second half salvo sealed the points.
“We knew we were awful in the first half,” said Hoefkens. “Nothing came off. We couldn’t pass the ball, which is normally our strength, but to be fair we defended ok.
“Then again, they only had 10 men so they couldn’t really threaten us. But we had to make sure we scored some goals because in games like that when you don’t play well there’s always a danger they could score from a set piece.
“We couldn’t let that happen and we went out for the second half with a great mentality and we did what we’re good at.
“We played the ball around, made them run after the ball and scored some cracking goals. It was a massive difference.”
Midfielder Filipe Teixeira was awarded the man of the match award for his two goals and an assist in a virtuoso second half display. His brace took his season tally for the season to five.
13 Comments
what a team, we’re gonna win the league and beat the dingles easily
baggieboi07!! i take it your about 10 because you spelt boi instead of boy!!!
keep on saying things like that we have nothing to lose!
1-0 eastwood
Misfud’s challenge was stupid Coventry had a good chance of getting a result against us last night. In the end I think class and obviously a man extra told. (1) dont know about easily but on paper we should beat wolves even with our “main” players injured but its not played on paper local derby could go either way. Its a must win for wolves otherwise we go 7 points(of the top of my head) clear of them .With my sensible hat on it really is going to be to close to call but form at home should edge the baggies
(2) he cant have boy thats me and I’m 41 lol
I`v just read comments in another article, made by Iain Dowie regarding the sending off.
He admits the sending off was justified, but claims Mifsud merely led with his elbow and there was no intent because he never took his eyes off the ball.
All i can say to that is b******
wbaforever - Iain Dowie is the unacceptable face of football - LOL
Actually at least he held his hands up - but then again he didn’t have much choice.
Judging from what is being said about the Mifsud incident it looked like the Albion supporters had never witnessed an elbowing before. They should realise that Hoefkens made a meal of it while later in the game their player Greening used an elbow too but was not spotted by the Premiership referee or anyone of his assistants.
So please don`t be biased as such things happen to all players and all the teams and then depend if you are lucky to get away with it or not.
Alfred
Judging by your surname,
i`m going to take a wild stab here
and guess you are Maltese and/or
a sky blues fan,
am i close?
If so, then your accusation of biased is somewhat spurious.
Mifsuds elbow and Greenings elbow,
one word that seperates the two incidents………INTENT!!
Alfred (no7)
As was adroitly explained by the co commentator and annalysing experts there was a difference between the two incidents; and not a subtle one either.
Misfit looked at Carl took aim and took off into him leading with his elbow;no attempt to play the ball.
Jonno lept looking at the ball at all times using his arms for upward leverage, as we all do when we jump, he was against the smallest Coventry player and a STRAIGHT arm made contact.
So unless you are advocating no heading the ball at all pipe down about players being “lucky to get away with it”
Football has always been a contact sport, however, that contact is punished if there was malicious intent…another difference between the 2 incidents.
So before you go making comments on refereeing decisions make sure you are in possession of all the facts; as judging by your comment above you can not have been watching the game at all, or it is just venomous custard seeping from your veins.
Sorry Nos 8 and 9 you are only seeing one side of the coin. Everybody agrees that Mifsud`s red card was a correct decision and this put Albion on the way to an easy 4-0 win thanks to a brilliant second half show by your team.
In my opinion the Greening incident would not have been such of an advantage to Coventry. But still a yellow would have made justice.
On the thing if I saw the match, yes I did on television and thus I saw the incidents more clearly with replay after another.
No 7 I am not a City fan for sure but a regular reader of the E&S website.
Hope that all is forgotten sportingly now and will concentrate on our team`s next match.
I still dont see how you can say Greening was worth a yellow card as i explained before, you can not jump without using your arms, and had it been a person of greater stature then the arm position would not have been a problem. You can not punish a player for jumping for a header with someone smaller than yourself surely!!
But I do agree that it is over now and we should all move on with the banter. You say our teams next match? So who is your team ?
Glad and proud to say it, it is the famous Wolverhampton Wanderers. Regarding this season`s derbies I don`t think that WBA will walk over them as Wolves are better equipped this time round.
One thing in your favour is I fancy Albion as one of the two teams to go up this season hopefully with the lot down the road.
That would explain alot Alfred.
To battle on the 25th Boing Boing!!