Wolves boss Mick McCarthy believes hero keeper Wayne Hennessey’s outstanding performance was that of a young man who has grown in stature since his last confrontation with Albion.
Hennessey was plunged into the Black Country derby promotion play-off games at the end of last season because of injury to Matt Murray, a taste of things to come when Murray broke down again in pre-season.
Since then, the young keeper’s reputation has flourished but yesterday’s dramatic penalty save represented the high-point of his club career so far – and gave him hero status among the Wolves fans.
His moment of derby legend arrived with five minutes remaining when referee Chris Foy dramatically pointed to the spot when Neill Collins pulled down Craig Beattie as the Scottish striker surprised him with a penalty area challenge.
Hennessey guessed right and timed his dive perfectly to beat away Zoltan Gera’s spot-kick and the Wolves fans responded by singing his name all the way to the final whistle.
“I think he has grown in stature since he came here last time,” said McCarthy. “He looked very nervous in the first game against them at Molineux, but was outstanding in the second one – he kept the score down that night there is no question about that.
“But I think we saw in this game that he has advanced even more since then.
“Arguably the best save was from Teixeira, with the penalty he has guessed right and saved it. But the other one was a better save, it was fantastic
“But I think his back four deserve a pat on the back as well because other than that I don’t think he has made that many saves. But yes, he made two vital ones.
“I think I should also say a word for Graham Stack, who has come to us on loan and has been great for Wayne.
“Stacky deserves some credit for that. because he’s been such a bubbly character around the place and Wayne’s a better keeper for it.
“Should the penalty have been awarded? I haven’t seen it on TV yet, but there was probably enough there for it to be given.
“There was a tangle of arms and legs. But as it is the panto season coming up I was hoping someone would shout ‘He’s behind you’ to Neil Collins.”
The fact that Hennessey was ultimately restricted to those two memorable stops confirmed in McCarthy’s eyes that his team were good value for a point.
“I’m pleased in two ways,” McCarthy said. “Pleased that we have got a point from it and I’m more pleased at the way we played. It was a real solid, mature performance.
“As we came off the pitch at the finish, Terry Connor said to me that we had just given a real ‘man’s performance’ and he was right.
“It’s a difficult place to play, they have a good home record and they are a very good side.
“Tony Mowbray, to his credit, has got them playing some great stuff but I think we matched them. They had a great spell in the first half but I thought we had by far and away the better of it in the second half.”
15 Comments
1 defeat in ten…
Still think that we might be drawing too many games…
I bet Scott Carson wished that he had Hennessey’s nerves!!
Should be an interesting challenge when Murray’s fit!
The way its looking Matt will be number two and will possibly be looking to move on. But would he ever pass a medical?
Great game and great performance by Hennessey’s
HENNESSEY HENNESSEY!
Not many messages from sandwell town!! Great point for wolves
Over the last 12 months it seems Wolves are the team who have come forward the most.
They were losing 3-0 in the early Derby games and have spent the least money out of the two teams and the Wolves fans are the most loyal too, just look at the gates of both teams.
Well done Mick…
A Team and Fans to be Proud of…
Matt Murrays injury so close to the game was a factor in our failing to beat the Albion but Waynes form since then is earning him the number one slot. He has made fantastic progress this year both for us and for Wales.
Well Done Wolves great to get a point at last over albion, shows we have come along way since last season.
Just one thing though MM i still think we are drawing too many games, and still can not find the net, its is embrassing being a wolves fan when we are in front of goal.
we need to pratice shooting in training!!
also need to get max 6 points in next two home games and really show the fans we mean business by stuffing one of them, we have not had this for at least 5-6 years now.
January is going to be the key, need a strong battling midfielder, two centre backs and a goalscorerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr MM!!
Look at beckford for leeds, good youing player or that lad in the conference, scored 21 goals already.
well done though against the scum tesco bags, wait till the come too the wolves!!
rich
Hennessey’s a top class goalkeeper with a very bright future lets hope Wolves can hold on to him for when we’re in the premier next year.
The Sandwell Town fans have been ever so quiet. Young Wayne Hennessey is drawing admiring glances from “Top Flight” Teams, no wonder, he’s gonna be a great ‘keeper. It helps when the back four are looking so solid - we could do with a few goals though!!
UP THE WOLVES!!!!!
Given time, this lad could be sensational.
David Bartley, Tipton
i think the anwser to our striker problems will shortly be anwsered.
Eastwood and elliot i believe will develop a good partnership given a few matches.I think there style of play will complement each other very well.
I just wish mm would drop collins and play gray and drop S ward and play jarvis.Will give the team a greater balance and will have creative qaulity from the left aswell as kightly and foley on the right.
We will not get six points in the next two games because Wolves teams hardly ever do that. Also remember Colchester got a point at Watford and Preston have a new manager and so their players will be up to impress. They will come for a point and we are not good at breaking down teams at Molineux.
It must be time for Jarvis and Freddy and Elliot to get starts and to be left on. jay was a disappointment on sunday. Why is it so difficult for him to show urgency and commitment?
geting ‘glorious’ draws is one thing. Dumping on teams who are well orgainised is another. I hope I’m wrong but I think at most four points.
hennessey is a goodgoalkeeper but you can not beat matt murray
i think its goin 2 be hard for murray to get back in the team. hennessys showing eveeythin that matt did. 1 improvment may be crossing but that wil come