Time to map out a plan for Villa's future
- Says blogger Matthew Turvey
Boss takes fans’ abuse on the chin
Saturday 30th April 2011, 11:29AM BST.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has no complaints about fans who gave him stick at Stoke.
McCarthy, who is bearing the brunt of the critical backlash from supporters fearing relegation, was abused by some of the Wolves travelling fans as he headed for the players’ tunnel at the end of Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat.
The manager made a point of marching back out on to the pitch to shake the hands of his crestfallen players but insists he has no argument with the rising anger among supporters.
“They are entitled to react that way,” he says. “We were awful. I didn’t like it but you have to accept it.
“We were hopeless and well beaten. I went to applaud the supporters but I am not so sure it was appreciated or reciprocated!
“I’ve told the players if we’re getting that stick, we’re getting it for a reason. They pay their money and they are entitled.
“I have had unequivocal support from Wolves fans from the moment I arrived and can never have any complaints about the way I have been treated.”
But he was less impressed by the fans who taunted the stricken Matthew Etherington as he was stretchered away from Tuesday’s game with an injury threatening to rule him out of the FA Cup final on May 14 at Wembley.
McCarthy said: “That’s not on.
“I’m afraid it’s the way things are these days — the baiting and taunting that seems to go on.
“I will get it from a gang of lads in the street. You just have to accept it although it’s not very nice.
“But Matthew Etherington is, as far as I know, a smashing lad and a very good football player and did not deserve that.
“It certainly would have revved Stoke up even more and I am sure Tony Pulis used it at half-time when he was talking to his players.”
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