nobody gets you closer

Tuesday, February 9, 2010


Hennessey expecting a challenge

trn-hennessey.jpegWolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey expects a goalkeeper to be among the club’s summer signings – and he is up for the challenge.

The Wales international, getting ready for his country’s World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan in Baku this weekend, accepts he is facing a battle to keep his No 1 position for club and country.

Still only 22, Hennessey won his 18th cap on Friday in the friendly international victory over Estonia as a second-half substitute, with Hull’s Boaz Myhill currently ahead of him in John Toshack’s preferred pecking order.

But the goalkeeper is equally aware that a new challenge could be coming at Molineux to, as the club’s search for Premier League experience extends to the goalkeeping department.

With injured Matt Murray’s fitness still an unknown factor for the new season, manager Mick McCarthy has been linked with displaced Manchester City keeper Joe Hart.

He will have also noted the demands of Manchester United’s former Albion goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak for precisely the sort of opportunity Wolves could offer.

Hennessey said: “I hear the manager is going to bring in some new players, maybe a goalkeeper, but I will have to handle that.

“That is up to him. If he brings in a keeper there is nothing I can do. I will just keep doing my best and hope I get selected.

“I was left out for a while at Wolves this season, but I fought my way back into the team and that has given me even greater incentive to stay in the side when the Premier League comes around.

“I had that little ‘enforced’ rest mid-season and did not enjoy the experience.

“There is nothing worse for a goalkeeper than sitting on the bench. The manager never really explained that to me, but I got back in and we won promotion.

“Now I am looking forward to the Premier League.”

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  1. 1
    bill

    He should never have been dropped, just another of Micks little eccentricities

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  2. 2
    hindmarch

    1. Yes he should. And it looks like it’s done him some good. Ikeme’s stint was very impressive.

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  3. 3
    tom

    he was dropped cause he had played what 40 summat games in a row without a rest and it was a weel deserved rest and the sound of a new keeper would be nice cause murray being out and only ikeme and hennesy fit what happens if ikeme gets injured only left with hennesy then but brill keeper

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  4. 4
    Andy

    I think the most interesting bit is the line that him being dropped was never really explained to him.

    Without entering the debate about whether he should or shouldn’t have been dropped (my view is that he needed to be reminded that there was competition for the keeper’s jersey), would it have taken much for an arm to have been placed around a 22-year-old to help explain the reasons behind it, what he should do in order to get his place back etc.? Would again be another negative about the MM man management skills, or lack thereof. But maybe Mick would have expected this to be done by the goalkeeping coach – so without all the evidence, I don’t want to be too critical of MM.

    My opinion is that Wayne has suffered several crises of confidence this season. His command of the area needs to improve – good quality competition is essential for this and, a phrase I’ve uttered far too often, a fit Matt Murray, with his excellent command of the box, would be great too – even if just in training.

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  5. 5
    SUPERSTARDJWOLVES

    Bill SHUT UP! Wayne lost abit of form and was rightly dropped. MUPPET!

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  6. 6
    davem

    bill ur clueless he was low on confidence and costing us on set pieces and crosses he deserved to be dropped. was back on form late on in the season so correct call yet again. We also need a n ew keeper as murray is unreliable because of injuries, and ikeme hasnt enough experience.

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  7. 7
    tellitlikeitis

    1 – sorry bill, I don’t agree, and I would go as far as to say that if Carl hadn’t got injured when he did, that ‘Henno’ may not have played as many games at the end of the season – just my opinion.

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  8. 8
    angus gill

    Fully deserved to be dropped at the time – Magic Mick made the right call.
    Hennessey came back stronger after his break. The lad is still only young, remember that most goalkeepers don’t reach their peak until their 30s.

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  9. 9
    Taffwolf

    Look after this lad.
    He is going to be top drawer.
    Very good keeper already and will only improve.
    But agree with the fact he does need to command the area better and come to collect the ball more – this will come.
    Our number 1 for the next 10 years, unless one of the big boys puts in an offer.

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  10. 10
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    you,l need to play 2 keepers at the same time,aye boing boing ooooooops droped it agen

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  11. 11
    finchy - wolves

    oh terry bored are we????? shouldnt you be down the tescos with your please dont leave mowbury banners?????? oh well i hear ossie ardilles is looking for a job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  12. 12
    thulewolf

    10 sirterrybuggie – Quite similar to your experience from the Prem this season, then? aye boing boing ooooooops droped down again, aye donk

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  13. 13
    Axel Foley

    Number 4: I totally agree with your last paragraph, Wayne needs to command the box more this is his one area of weakness imo.

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  14. 14
    Stoke on Trent Wolf

    So he should expect a challenge too. It may help him cut out his occasional silly errors. When all are fit (goalkeepers) which never seems to happen, is Hennessey the third best keeper we have?

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  15. 15
    Woking Wolf

    Cur Terry Baggie – what a sad apology for a human being you are. Boing boing is right for your lot, but you may not find it so easy to boing back to the Prem this time around!!!

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  16. 16
    brummierobwolves

    1) Totally disagree. Wayne is a great shotstopper but does not come off his line enough. Look at the Blues game and he was at fault.
    Ikeme is a quality goalkeeper and I see that he is nearing fitness. Murray however is number 1 by far. The best in the Midlands!

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  17. 17
    Wolves Mick

    Since when has he been No2 to Myhill in the Welsh team ? Hennessey is 1st Choice – Myhill just got a half recently to keep him sharp.

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  18. 18
    SUPERSTARDJWOLVES

    Terry at least Henns can stop a ball, your keeper Calamity Carson is awful!

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  19. 19
    BruceFoxton'sMullet

    Well as it stands, it’s gotta be Ikeme in front of Hennessey for me. Hennessey makes to many errors, which WILL be punished in the Premier League should he make them.

    I do think we need to bring in an experienced goalkeeper though, can’t really think of many off the top of my head though.

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  20. 20
    Glasgow Wolf

    We need to be quick, very Quick to bring in a backup
    keeper, I would go for BRAD JONES of Middleborororugh.

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  21. 21
    Sandwell massive??

    Anybody heard the rumour we are after Gibson from Man Utd??

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  22. 22
    MKWOLF

    Lucas Neill on a free, we could prob afford wages with no transfer fee, and Kyel Reid on a free too, not proven yet but plenty of potential (and cover for Jarvis when he gets injured again) and not a dent in the wage budget.

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  23. 23
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    21,yes ive heard it,last year,the year before,and the year before,read my lips HE DONT WANT TO COME aye boing boing try mel gibson

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  24. 24
    wednesbury

    I would like Jo ledley! for a start.

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  25. 25
    James Atherley

    Ikeme is quality and would have been No 1 still if he hadn’t been injured. He’s by far a better all round keeper. Hennessey still has bags of potential but must come to the fore in the next couple of years. Two cracking lads who should both have good futures ahead of them.

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  26. 26
    towerwolf

    thats rubbish bill, he was performing way below his level, and droppping him benefited him in the long run and also helped Ikeme! i think another keeper would really push Hennessey even further.

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  27. 27
    Ian

    Like most here, I agree that Hennessey deserved to be dropped. He has some fundamental weaknesses particularly in controlling the six yard box. Overall Ikeme is a better keeper right now and I would prefer to go with him next season, but yes we really need another good quality keeper for next season. Would be great if Murray was injury free and playing but realistically what chance is there that he is going to be injury free for a whole season?

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  28. 28
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    11 finchy, i think we all know who the banners department belongs to dont we,aye boing boing youv let us down agen

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  29. 29
    Cornish Wolf

    #23 Sir Terry Yo-Yo supporter Baggie
    The proof of the pudding is in the eating!
    We will see who we manage to attract to our wonderful football club by August!
    At this time last year we had a disagreement on these pages about who your manager was signing.
    I said too much quantity, not enough quality. You said, tosh or some such.
    I said you would fail in the greed league by not signing to support your already not good enough team. Right was I?
    When I went on to say Wolves were doing things the correct way. i.e. building a team of young players the core of whom would be the backbone of our club for many years, you again po-poed my thoughts. Right now am I?
    Please go back to your nonsensical thoughts cos you know nothing about football as your postings often prove.

    #7 telitlikeitis
    Are you coming down to Gods own country this year?
    Up The Wolves

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  30. 30
    tellitlikeitis

    Cornish
    Yes, will be there in 4 weeks time.
    Want anything from the club shop?

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  31. 31
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    29 corny,if you think your going to stay in the prem with a team of hungry little wolves your in for a big shock,remember wot happened to the big bad hungry wolf in the three little pigs,he fell down the chimney and landed at the bottom,just as your hungry wolves will,aye boing boing you can huff n puff and still go down

    Report abuse

  32. 32
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    29 corny,you know as well as everybody else how weak the championship was you only did well cuz we wornt there,you went 12 games without winning a game and all the top 7 sides beat you,as mr merson said,you need 20 new players.aye boing boing this little piggy

    Report abuse

  33. 33
    laughingwolf

    very dissapointed we have even been linked with gibson he was awful for us

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  34. 34
    Kent Wolf

    Hey Tel,how much do you want for your sat nav,now that it’s redundant?
    Don’t suppose you will be going to that many Championship games.Your just a glory hunting fair weather supporter!

    Report abuse

  35. 35
    tellitlikeitis

    31 & 32 STB
    I don’t usually respond to your posts – I usually just read and enjoy your particular brand of humour, but …..
    Have a word with yer mate Happy Baggie because if memory serves me right, he was spouting on these pages at the beginning of the season, how he was glad your lot weren’t in the Championship because it would be so difficult to get out of with Derby, Blues and Reading coming down and with teams like QPR, Palace , Cardiff etc getting stronger.
    Of course saying next seasons Championship is going to be tougher than this years (which some of your supporters have already said), would indicate to me that you’re already getting your excuses ready.

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  36. 36
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    18,our reserve keeper(carson)is in the england world cup squad,your first choice keeper (henns)is welsh 3rd choice keeper,aye boing boing say no more

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  37. 37
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    30,get him a micks out banner from club shop,and the when we beat the albion dvd,that shud pass 2 mins away,aye boing boing its in black n white

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  38. 38
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    34 nice to see you back kent wolf,is it cuz your in prem by any chance aye boing boing wheres the remote cock

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  39. 39
    Kent Wolf

    OH YES OH YES,GONE DONE MOWBURY WAY
    BOING BOING…lol
    Been in & out of Hospital a couple of times,but looking forward to the New season & many trips back to the Custard Bowl 7 the likes of Chelski,the Hommers & Spurs to see the mighty Wanderers flying high & baci in the Prem!

    Report abuse

  40. 40
    Kent Wolf

    Just read my last posting & can’t believe all the spelling mistakes.
    Should’ve gone to Specsavers!

    Report abuse

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