Mick McCarthy blasts Danny Murphy

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy today joined in the condemnation of Danny Murphy who accused his side of being too aggressive.

But the manager admitted he had to improve the club's disciplinary record.

The Fulham captain's criticism of Wolves, as well as Stoke and Blackburn players being sent out as 'too pumped up and likely to cause problems' has caused a media firestorm.

McCarthy was not only angered by Murphy's quotes but feels they have made Wolves' task harder.

The Wolves boss is also surprised by them, given Murphy's support over Bobby Zamora's broken leg in the recent defeat at Craven Cottage.

He said: "I've only ever had one conversation with Danny Murphy and that was after the Fulham game as we were walking off the pitch.

"I shook his hand and he said 'don't worry, I'll make sure Bobby Zamora knows it wasn't bad tackle.'

"If he dictates what my team talks are from that conversation, then he's a better man than me.

"I find it incredible that someone who's never been in my dressing room or been coached or managed by me can say that.

"He's a good player and I always thought he was a good guy – a nice, stand-up fellow – until I saw those comments, so maybe we both got it wrong. He's a poor judge of character.

"Not only that, but comments like those have made our task harder."

McCarthy feels Murphy's comments are also a slight against the managers concerned.

The Wolves boss said: "I find it sad that we have to defend ourselves when we have done alright as managers in the game and shouldn't have to defend ourselves against a player with no back-up knowledge.

"As managers, we're all of similar ilk – none of us send players out to hurt people or kick people because the same thing can happen to one of our players and we don't want to lose them. We would all abhor tackles to hurt people.

"I'm in a great association at the LMA and if me, Tony Pulis or Sam Allardyce sent our teams out to play like that, we wouldn't be welcome as members or friendly with every other manager."

Wolves are currently top of the Premier League's disciplinary chart with two red cards and 20 yellows.

McCarthy admitted: "I can't reason against our disciplinary record because it's the worst at the moment – all I can say is it's something we've got to improve.

"Players getting sent off causes us problems. We've had a tough time with bookings and sending offs.

"But we've finished ninth, 10th, third and 13th in the Fair Play league over the last four years so we're not villains."