Karl Henry accuses Danny Murphy of tainting referees’ opinions

Monday 25th April 2011, 11:28AM BST.

Danny Murphy and Jelle van Damme
Danny Murphy and Jelle van Damme

Captain Karl Henry today accused Molineux hate figure Danny Murphy of turning referees against Wolves.

Henry believes the Fulham skipper’s criticism of Wolves being ‘too pumped up’, which sparked a feisty undercurrent to Saturday’s 1-1 draw, has led to officials watching them more closely.

Midfielder Henry also accused Murphy – who was abused by Wolves fans throughout – of headbutting or elbowing him in the face during an off-the-ball incident in the first half.

“I think he’s got a big mouth off the pitch and doesn’t really want to say much when he’s on there,” said the skipper.

Asked if Murphy’s comments had tainted the perception of Wolves, Henry said: “I think so, definitely, in terms of referees’ perceptions of us at times.

“It takes a long time to lose that tag. We went to Fulham and got seven yellow cards which didn’t help our cause – it hasn’t helped our season. And his (Murphy’s) comments didn’t help us either.

“We went to Newcastle three weeks ago with a mindset of ‘let’s not do anything silly or get anyone sent off’ and we ended up getting bookings for absolutely nothing.

“It seemed like the referee had it in his mind straight away to book us.

“The referee said we were targeting Joey Barton, which was a load of rubbish – he was never even mentioned in our team talk.

“Comments do stick and it hasn’t helped us because we got those silly bookings.”

The war of words between midfield rivals Henry and Murphy spilled over during the game at Molineux as Fulham came back to claim a draw.

“We came together for a tackle and I think he just nutted me or elbowed me in my face,” said Henry. “The referee didn’t quite see it from two yards away.”

Meanwhile, Wolves have vowed to get back to ‘being ugly’ to survive after Saturday’s draw left them a point from safety with a game in hand.

Henry admitted Richard Stearman’s two-footed lunge on Eidur Gudjohnsen – for which he was booked rather than red carded – sparked Wolves.

“Maybe it did – with all the talking before the game, we needed to be bang at it and putting a foot in and I thought we did that,” he said.

“The gaffer said ‘get back to the way we play’ which means we’ve got to put our foot in.

“It’s not dirty or nasty but competitive and we’ve got to be ugly and do all the horrible things to get results.”


  1. 1
    TelfordWolvesNobby

    Danny Murphy’s a dirty scouse idiot who cant play football! Do 1 mate!

    WOLVES AY WE

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  2. 2
    minesapint

    Never mind the comments Karl, how about starting by putting a a decent perforance for starters!!!!

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  3. 3
    mick will save us (I hope)

    I agree that we need to put a foot in. In all the games weve played this season after the wigan match, even though our attacking play has been good, it seems like the players have been too afraid to make some tackles. Stearmans tackles was abysmal though. He could have easily kept his feet on the gorund for a simple challenge, which would have been a fantastic challenge, but instead he jumped over the ball for whatever reason. I like stearman, i feel he has good pace, and can put in a good challenge, but feel he needs to mature in his positioning and decision making in order to be a top class defender.

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  4. 4
    spanish ray

    You shoud not let an idiot like Murphy rile you Karl.Instead of worrying about what he says you should worry about how you perform because ,if Mick Hasn`t told you ,it`s crap.Concentrate on the job in hand not what mouthy Murphy is saying.The defence that we have still defend like schoolboys and it`s obvious that McCarthy hasn`t got a clue on putting things right.Come on Mr.Morgan start and put your foot down and don`t be frightened to say goodbye to the Barnsley Bottler.

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  5. 5
    The Flying Winger

    I give up we really have lost the plot, this is our Captain, what a load of drivel, what a cracking way of getting the ref’s on our side.

    He and the rest of the team would be better to play football, keep their mouths shut and get us out of this mess.

    However along with the Managers tactics, I very much doubt this is going to happen!

    I wonder who will be the first person to be sent off for putting his foot in will be, leaving us with Ten men.

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  6. 6
    Muppet

    Just shut up and play, Karl. It probably was Murphys foul, that your were miles behind AJ, for that Fulham goal, when you should be back defending, as well.
    Excuses upon excuses, when in reality the only ones to blame if they go down, are themselves.

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  7. 7
    YOWM AVVIN A LAFF

    EVERYBODY KEEP YOUR TRAPS SHUT AND PLAY SOME DECENT BLUDY FOOTBALL FOR A CHANGE

    ITS LIKE WATCHING A BLUDY CONFERENCE SIDE!!!!

    START EARNING YOUR MONEY!!!!!!!! ESPECIALLY YOU MICK!!

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  8. 8
    Fozzy Bear

    1 & 2
    It’s nice to know we have connoisseurs of the game amongst us.
    Murphy’s an idiot who can’t play football and Karl Henry needs to put in a decent performance.
    Neither at the match on Saturday ?

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  9. 9
    Wolfmanmac

    The game in hand will mean nothing unless Hennessy gets off his line and does more than his fair share to snuff out the arial bombardment from The Clay Yeds.Elokobi (if he plays him) vs Etherington will be crucial. This team spirit we keep hearing about, let’s see some of it lads. A win tomorrow could be the catalyst for the “Greater Escape”. An escape considerably better than yow lot down the road. :)

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  10. 10
    Kev B

    I am sick and tired of hearing Karl Henry’s crap all the time!

    Why don’t you keep it shut Karl and try to put in a decent performance for once.

    It seems the only thing your good at is talk!!

    Considering your supposed to be our main man in midfield (or in McCarthys eyes you are) don’t you think it’s about time you chipped in with a goal or two? You ain’t scored in the league for 3 seasons!

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  11. 11
    Gaz

    Seriously, whoever criticises our captain after Saturday’s performance needs a long hard look at thierselves. He was by far the best player on the pitch which in my opinion was long overdue.

    He set up the winning goal and took the ball off delembe’s foot close to the line. No doubt he will keep these performances up for the next 3 games at least. A few of the “armchair” express and star commenters on here need to reduce the negativity.

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  12. 12
    Gaz

    Elokobi is injured. He won’t play until next season.

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  13. 13
    Tom

    A few things you posters may forget.

    A) Karl Henry is the captain of the club, and therefore is required to do media interviews. Every other captain, including Danny Murphy, puts pressure on the referees to respect how their own team plays.

    B) Karl Henry had a lot of strong challenges and played well on Saturday. Did we all forget who saved the day on the line when the ball went through Hennessey’s fingers? Or did we also forget who provided the assist for the goal?!

    C) As Henry often has a marking role on an opposing midfield in order to shut down their option, he shouldn’t be the main guy we look to for goals. His first job is to stop the other team’s best player. Considering 5 men usually play in front of him I think it’s unreasonable to expect goals from him. He’s never been a goalscoring midfielder, but the ones he has got (especially that brilliant one at Charlton) have come from sheer determination to get to the ball first.

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  14. 14
    wednesfield wolves

    Karl do your talking on the pitch, im sick of hearin you and all the rest talking rubbish bigging us up as if we were mid table and safe, 2nd from botton league doesn’t lie. start earning your big wages you had a alright game saturday, play like that till the end of the season and keep us up and you can shout as much dung as you want over the summer. when im on me holidays!!!

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  15. 15
    Lord Molineux

    10) Why don’t you get together with a few more of the anti Karl Henry brigade ? After reading some of the nonsense on the last few threads there are enough of you to fill two telephone boxes.
    1) Karl Henry is captain and part of that job is representing Wolves in front of the media. He makes some valid points.
    2) If you don’t think Henry put in a decent performance on saturday you were either not at the game or you spent too long below stairs guzzling Jez’s overpriced beer.
    3) “Henry hasn’t scored in the league for 3 seasons”. I despair. Don’t you understand the role he plays ? Get somebody to explain things to you.

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  16. 16
    wanderer in eire

    12 GAZ and 13 Tom….you both are MICK’ MUPPETTS.I am sick and tired of a few yes a few who think MICKO is doing superbly well….Micko and some of the players he picks and plays are the reason why we are were we are….He as made a mess, a complete mess of it this season,we should not be were we are fullstop.
    Micko as constantly been a manager who as FEAR and this transmits it’s self to the players.Ok we didnt lose against fulham who have not won an away game for 36 games!!!!!!!
    We had two chances in the whole GAME!!!They had four times as many…once they scored we showed no heart whatsoever….Very dissapointed.We can handle going down,what we wont handle is the white flag being shown……Everton in theory was a disgraceful result considering they had 7 first team players out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    “BERRA” All season as pulled at opposition players shirts always,yet mick as not got him to stop,he looks so clumsy.Ward is caught out time and time yet he starts majority of the game….its little things like this that are obvious yet our manager is not able to see them.HAMILL was showing craft yet micko does not play him!!!!MICKO should go whether we stay up or not.Take the other muppets with you too…

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  17. 17
    Sir Lupi

    Henry does have games when he looks Premiership level. He can play. On Saturday he was good, not class, but good.

    However, in reply to those justifying a midfielder who has not scored for three seasons, then please do not insult my and eveybody elses intelligence.

    The day any player, no matter what outfield position, thinks that not scoring is ok, enough, to be expected, or not part of my job, is never going to be anything other than be an average Joe.

    Just ask……..

    Gattuso
    Mascherano
    Essien
    Xabi alonso
    Deco
    Cambiasso
    Albelda
    Diarra
    Yaya Toure
    Hargreaves
    Gilberto Silva
    Emerson
    Makelele
    Patrick Vieira

    or even better, Jody Craddock (Defender) last season.

    3 seasons and no goal for a midfielder!

    ….do me a favour.

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  18. 18
    Tom

    16 — Where did I mention about Mick McCarthy? And where have you commented about Henry?

    Is this just another chance for you to peddle your agenda?

    I’ve liked Ward over the years (I bet you weren’t complaining at Liverpool), but on the weekend he was rubbish. I also think that Stearman needs to be taught how not to do one stupid thing every game. I agree with you that Hammill needs to be played, and that Berra should stop fouling at every corner.
    Usually though, when I don’t agree with how the team is playing, I don’t become a keyboard warrior. There’s lots I don’t know internally at the club and I realise we need to support what we have, and not to criticise all the time. Complaining about the team never does any good, but giving the players confidence by supporting them can make a change for the better.

    I won’t have it said that Karl Henry was poor on the weekend.

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