mick mccarthy

That's the blunt message Irish legend Roy Keane has delivered to his compatriots amid the furore surrounding the 'Hand of Frog' incident and calls from all quarters for a replay. On the off chance you don't know what we're talking about ... well there's no excuse for that really. But this should bring you up to speed: - World Cup play-off: France v Ireland.  

MICK McCarthy is in no doubt that Thierry Henry's blatant handball against Ireland in Paris has ushered forth an irresistible need for technology to be used in football matches. The former Irish captain, who was capped 57 times, appeared at a World Cup as both player and manager and presided over a play-off triumph against Iran, remains angered by the manner of the French winner. "I remember saying when I was in the Irish job that FIFA stood for Forget Irish Football Altogether. It concerned me a bit  

WAYNE Hennessey insists his inability to keep clean sheets this season is not weighing on his mind. Indeed, the 22-year-old has praised his back four for their performances during the first third of the season. The Welsh goalkeeper has let in 22 league goals in 12 games and kept just one shut-out, at Wigan.

Hennessey has been brilliant. He’s 22 and a fabulous goalkeeper   -Mick McCarthy

 

MICK McCarthy has promised another 'up and at 'em' approach from his Wolves side at Chelsea today. That is despite an overwhelming weight of history and statistics that suggests a more conservative approach might be better. "We will try to be positive whoever we play," the Wolves boss said.

I think Arsenal are the best footballing team in the league but I think Chelsea are the best team in the league   -MICK McCarthy

 

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has backed leaders Chelsea to last the pace in the race to win the Premier League title - and tipped them as potential winners of the Champions League. McCarthy takes his side to Stamford Bridge tomorrow bidding to halt Chelsea's title charge, in the short team at least. But in the long run he has no doubts that Chelsea have got what it takes to win the title.  

THE Premier League swings back into action this weekend with a top-drawer clash kicking things off on Saturday lunchtime. Liverpool need three points against Manchester City to try and inject some life into their flagging campaign while Mark Hughes's side want to send out a signal of intent as they bid to break into the top four. Steven Gerrard is fit for the Anfield encounter, and Glen Johnson is also expected to play, but Fernando Torres is set to remain on the sidelines.  

The Premier League recommences on Saturday lunchtime as Rafa Benitez's Liverpool go head-to-head with Manchester City at Anfield. After what seemed like the longest fortnight in history, England's top flight returns. There are several intriguing encounters on offer, as table-toppers Chelsea host Wolves, a depleted Arsenal head to Sunderland, struggling pair Hull City and West Ham do battle, and Manchester United meet Everton.  

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has admitted he would take a 'Hand of Henry' winner at Chelsea. The manager is still seething about France's play-off winner in Paris that denied the Republic of Ireland a place in the World Cup finals after Thierry Henry handballed. But the former Republic of Ireland captain and manager admits most players, teams and fans would have taken the winner – however controversial.  

WHATEVER you think about Thierry Henry's actions, we wouldn't even be having this conversation if the powers-that-be did the right thing and used the technology available in situations like this. The officials would have seen in a nanosecond what had happened, disallowed the goal, booked Henry and the Irish lads might not have been robbed of the opportunity to go to the World Cup. It's simply criminal that they are still not using TV replays for big decisions. Martin O'Neill will put an arm round Ri