New blow for luckless Matt

Wednesday 11th November 2009, 11:30AM GMT.

WOLVES V BLUES 6 GD 10Wolves keeper Matt Murray today reassured the Molineux masses his early withdrawal was purely precautionary after lasting just 23 minutes of his comeback last night.

Murray came off in the 2-0 win against Birmingham’s reserves at AFC Telford midway through the first half after having treatment to his right knee, after almost a year out with a ruptured patella tendon.

But the 28-year-old, who hasn’t played for Wolves’ first team for two-and-a-half years, stressed there was no need to panic.

The one-time England hopeful remained in the dugout for the rest of the first half before walking to the dressing room and signing autographs at half-time, suggesting there is nothing serious to worry about.

“It’s frustrating because I wanted to play on, particularly because there were people here, but it’s better to be safe,” said Murray, who was replaced by academy youngster Dan East.

“The most important thing is completing my recovery – this was just another step on my rehabilitation and when you’ve been out for so long then these things can happen.

“I’ve been training well for the last three or four weeks and I’ve done my first warm-up for a game for a long time and that felt good.”

Murray said there was no point risking his long term future by staying on and possibly aggravating the problem.

“I just felt a little bit of discomfort in the early stages and the medical team felt there was no point in trying to carry on and play the 90 minutes and take any risks,” he said. “It’s better to take the precaution, see how things settle down and then carry on my rehab.”

Murray’s last competitive game came on loan at Hereford on November 25 last year when he suffered his latest injury. Wolves won the game 2-0 thanks to a second-minute goal from George Elokobi – playing centre-back – and one from Greg Halford five minutes after the break.


  1. 1
    maltawolves

    Matt take your time Son no point in pushing too hard and taking one step forward and two back.Hopefully we will see you in the new year and this can only be good for WWFC.

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  2. 2
    rich5wolves

    why we persist with this guy is beyond me. We have paid a guy wages every week now for years for him to be in the treatment room. Granted he had a good spell for us and has potential but when do you draw a line under it and stop wasting money. He is too injury prone and he wont ever play for long spells in the team without doing his knees in.

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  3. 3
    Mick Dobbo

    Spot on No.1

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  4. 4
    purewolves

    Maltawolves I agree with you a few months more is not going to hurt. Good Luck Matt

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  5. 5
    We Are Wolves

    Matt Murray = Legend

    Take your time son, you will be welcomed back into the first team with open arms, sooner the better

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  6. 6
    wolvesfan

    As great as you are – its time to hang up your boots – to save your knees if nothing else.

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  7. 7
    teza2111

    Matt retire whilst ya can still walk. You will not be any good for regular premiership football mate. Accept it and move on.

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  8. 8
    london wolf

    Hate to say it! “But it looks like time to hang up your boots Matt”. I thihk he would struggle to get in now anyway. Wayne is having a great season and one of our best performers!I can’t understand why people think he was at fault for the goals on saturday! 2 own goals, one brilliant goal and one poor piece of general defending! UTW 2-1 at Chelsea!

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  9. 9
    brummierobwolves

    1) Totally agree. Hennessey has been decent in most games but was a bit suspect against Arsenal. We have Ikeme out on loan and I am not too sure on what I have seen on Hahnemann in the League Cup. We need Matt back fully fit and then the pressure is on and there is only one winner.
    Good to see Foley and Surman back. We are struggling at left back at present and hopefully the one for the future will be Malone. Too much for him though to be thrown in the Premiership!

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  10. 10
    Wolf72

    Enough is enough! It must take 10-20 season tickets to pay his wage every week! As much as everyone at wolves loves matt there is no room for sentiment! Get him on a pay as you play deal!!!!!!!

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  11. 11
    Charlie

    He looks older, fatter and slower (I do also).
    I dont disagree with keeping him on the books, he didnt cost a lot and a good Prem keeper is worth 10 million. What the coaching staff and MM need to do is sit down and decide if he can really recover long term from this injury. I assume the docs have been assuring them that he can to this point.

    Charlie
    ATLANTA WOLVES

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  12. 12
    truewolves

    totally agree with number8. still cant believe some people profess to know more about proffessional football, in terms of selection, tactics, choice of manager, etc. you can see why some of the comments are from so called fans and not one from anybody with any knowledge of the game at this level. what is so frustrating is that the same people will be taking the credit in may 2011, when the greatest clubside in the world survive comfortably, utw

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  13. 13
    richard

    He’s one of the Best Keepers we’ve had here at Wolves!! Just hope he’s getting fitter and i wish him all the luck!! We need him, if u all can look back to the Playoff Final……….!? See what the bloke can do when he’s fit!!

    Get well soon Big Man!! We need you!

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  14. 14
    carl wolves

    i could have written this headline yesterday!

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  15. 15
    SteveB

    If Matt was in his late 30′s I could understand some of the comments on here..

    Matt, you have the best years of your carreer ahead of you – take your time and get back to 100%. Them prove some of these muppets wrong!!

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  16. 16
    quality counts

    Why is everyone so sympathetic about this clown? He fell apart and has had to be put back together a million times..he needs to get “fixed” and sold, if he could pass the physical that is! We need dough not more medical bills.

    Moxey, if you want to keep him, let him be Wolfie’s side kick in the same type of outfit, but for lords sake don’t have him to either kick a ball or save a packet of crisps…

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  17. 17
    New York City Wolf

    Theres enough clowns on here to start a circus. For the people who are suggesting he hangs up the boots because he felt a bit of discomfort in his knee- could have been cramp for all we know, being doctors and all, hang your heads. As if the bloke has gone through years of rehabilitation just to risk it again in a reserve game- he felt something and did not take the risk. As far as writing him off- complete joke- if, and it is admittedly a big if, he can get fit, he has ten years ahead of him- thats why the club ‘keeps him on the books’ because potentially he is the best goalkeeper in the country. If you want to get an idea of how much he cares, read the comment about him wanting to carry on because ‘there was people there’. The guy loves the club and the fans, both of which he is desperate to repay for their (our) continued faith. There was 500 people there and he was getting a buzz from that. Give him a break, because I would rather him spend another three months getting fit so long as he can come in and take the shirt. Those who claim Wayne is having ‘a great season’ either dont go to games or having been sniffing the tipex. I’m 5 ’7 and I bet I would catch more crosses than him for the fact I would actually go for one. Sorry, but his three wild ‘pounces’ at Van Percy Sugdons feet against Arsenal summed him up for me. He doesnt look like he has an ounce of confidence and is prone to making himself look like a dipstick. I think he has great potential but its not our job to blood him because we will be right back where we started. I dont see it happening considering Micks ringing endorsement of the Wayne, but I would play HannaMon next time. I have the faith we will not be in the bottom three at the turn of the year, starting with a win against Blues (as in Brum).

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  18. 18
    Crouch End Wolf

    I fear to add to his problems with knees Matt now has a problem in his head. This may not resolve easily.

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  19. 19
    The Real Bully Hoo.

    I’m a Baggies fan and I remember this lad looking potentially one of the best keepers around, I seem to have a longer memory than some Wolves fans on here.
    17 NYCW. You started off so well. Players who have had a long lay off will often have niggles when they start their comeback, the body has to get used to the wear and tear of playing at a higher level. Should he really play on and make it worse to prove a point? The trouble is NYCW, you spoil your good start by then having a go at your current keeper. He’s a young lad making his way in the hardest league in the World. Cut him a bit of slack, he’s still learning and is probably about 5 years away from reaching his peak.
    8 London.
    You seem to have it the other way around. Players only get one chance at a career and like others you seem to be saying ‘give up now because we’re a bit fed up of waiting for you to get fit.’ Can you imagine how difficult it’s been for this lad? He’s been slogging away month afer month, working on his own, knowing that it may all be for nothing. Yes he has been well paid but I’m sure he could have just picked up a hefty insurance payout and sat back to a life of ease.
    Sorry to sound as if I’m lecturing you but Matt Murray seems a decent, honest bloke and deserves better. There are a lot of players that don’t earn their money but I’ll stick up for the good guys whether they play for my own club or someone else’s.

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  20. 20
    Ales Rae's Butler

    Says alot for Wolves fan when a Baggie has to come on here and preach some sense. Well said 19.

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  21. 21
    Solentwolves

    Here, here! – Give him a chance. Remember the Cardiff final. If there wasn’t any hope, does anyone honestly think that the business-minded Moxey would entertain keeping him on? Stick with Matt until his future is crystal-clear – and it will be great if, as we hope, it works out in his favour.

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  22. 22
    TopWolf

    No.19 Very well said.

    No.17 Started well but your bit about Wayne is embarrasing, the question should be do you go to the matches? Waynes been superb, he has one weakness in his game, a weakness which nearly every other keeper in the league has, how many goalkeepers other than van der saar and james are actually good at crosses? His shot stopping, handling, distribution, presence on one-on-ones is awesome for a keeper of his age!Trust me hahnemanns not better, lets not forget Reading, a team struggling for their championship status, deemed him not worthy of a new contract, he’s decent and his experience is valuable to ikeme and wayne but he’s not as good as wayne! Maybe he’d be more confident if ‘clowns’ like yourself stopped having a go at him when he doesn’t go for every single cross!

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