Henry lets Wolves down again

RARELY has Kevin Doyle looked forward so much to hot-footing it back to Dublin.

The Republic of Ireland’s forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers with Russia and Slovakia will serve as a welcome escape for Doyle from the chaos that reigns at his club.

Seven games in and Wolves look like a team destined for a season of struggle, as ill-discipline threatens Mick McCarthy’s hopes of improving on last season’s 15th-placed finish. McCarthy has spent most of the season telling anyone who cares to listen that his side is not dirty.

Yet the Wolves manager this morning finds himself under pressure to punish his captain Karl Henry after his outrageous challenge almost wrecked Jordi Gomez’s season.

Henry’s ill-timed sliding tackle not only sent Wigan’s Spanish midfielder flying, but provided further ammunition to those who have labelled Wolves one of the dirtiest sides in the Premier League.

Wolves have now had two players sent off in the last four league games while they are on course to rattle up 100-plus cautions this season after averaging three yellow cards each league game so far.

Henry accused Arsenal’s players of “going down like a sack of spuds” after he was sent off at the Emirates in April, yet the former Stoke midfielder can have no excuses after his second dismissal in 10 league appearances.

Even Doyle struggled to find the words to defend his captain, and he is concerned that Wolves’s reputation could influence referees in future games.

“Karl has apologised to us,” Doyle said after Wolves slumped to second from bottom in the table. The only thing I hope it doesn’t do is influence referees in situations where they think Wolves put in a few dirty tackles. Over the course of the season we will show that we are not (a dirty side).

“If you were to look at it on paper, you’d think that after the first seven games of the season. But if you look at it last year, we were one of the fairest sides in the league and I’m sure we will be again this season.

“We haven’t set out in any way to pick up yellow or red cards, but over the season I’m sure it will balance out.”

The problems are mounting for McCarthy. Wolves have lost their last four in the league and can ill-afford to lose Henry, who is set to be suspended for three matches, at home to West Ham and away to Chelsea in the Premier League, as well as the Carling Cup trip to Manchester United on October 26.

You have to feel sorry for Roberto Martinez. The Wigan manager had waited almost six months for a home win in the league yet Henry’s actions overshadowed what was a thoroughly deserved victory, Hugo Rodallega sealing victory after Gomez had broken the deadlock with a sublime free-kick.

Those two goals in the space of 20 second half minutes doubled Wigan’s goal tally for the season.

“The lack of goals doesn’t bother me because the players are starting to know each other and play for each other,” Martinez said after his side’s second win in 10 league games.

“We’ve got players who are really good finishers. It’s about getting into those good positions.”