Source: Daily_Mail
THE MIDLANDER: Punishing McCarthy over selection is taking the Mick
I don't agree with Mick McCarthy's decision. But I respect his right to make it. [LNB]He is the manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers and his neck is on the block if it all goes pear-shaped. [LNB]But the thought that the Premier League is calling him to book is, quite frankly, laughable. [LNB] New look: The much-changed Wolves side before kick-off at Old Trafford[LNB]If the suits who run football in this country (sorry, Football Association) think that by firing a shot across Wolves' bows is in any way clever, they should think again. [LNB]They have opened themselves up to charges of gross hypocrisy. [LNB]There was no blanket condemnation of Sir Alex Ferguson when he fielded weakened teams against Hull City last May and West Ham two years prior to that. [LNB]There have been no utterances when Rafa Benitez followed up a win over Manchester United earlier this season by changing four of his team at Fulham one week later and taking off Fernando Torres after an hour at Craven Cottage. [LNB] More from Neil Moxley... THE MIDLANDER: England boss Fabio Capello could do a lot worse than Birmingham's Roger Johnson in central defence08/12/09 THE MIDLANDER: Why Wolves would drop a howler by kicking out Mick McCarthy now03/12/09 THE MIDLANDER: It's only November but Wolves' derby date is a six-pointer19/11/09 THE MIDLANDER: Warning signs are ominous for Coventry as Coleman soldiers on12/11/09 THE MIDLANDER: Foxes boss makes players wear heart monitors to bed03/11/09 THE MIDLANDER: Time for Nigel Clough to emulate Old Big 'Ead after yet another boardroom upheaval at Derby County29/10/09 THE MIDLANDER: Di Matteo must wise up for West Brom to win promotion21/10/09 THE MIDLANDER: It's tough at the top - as Martin O'Neill is finding out14/10/09 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE There weren't even any mutterings during that 2006-07 season when Sheffield United left out 10 of their players for a trip to Old Trafford. [LNB]So why have they chosen to bring Wolves to order? [LNB]Well, the answer is simple. McCarthy was too brazen in his disregard for the rules. He thought that if he was going to change one, he might as well change them all. [LNB]If he had played the game...say left Kevin Doyle, Karl Henry and Jody Craddock at home and then whipped off Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Jody Craddock, he'd have got away with it. [LNB]But no. Mick being Mick, he thought he might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb and whipped the whole lot out of the firing line. [LNB]I don't agree with Mick for a whole host of reasons. [LNB]First, history shows that any manager that 'cheapens' one fixture, inevitably heightens the pressure on the next one. Look at Martin O'Neill's actions last season, for instance. [LNB] [LNB]Indeed, if you want to know what effect Neil Warnock's decision to change 10 players at Old Trafford had upon his season, then the answer is that the Blades won one of the their next 10 matches. [LNB]That, rather than Carlos Tevez, was more instrumental in their downfall. [LNB]Secondly, I'm not sure I take the point about fitness levels. Think about the workload of those players involved in the Champions League, international and high-pressure Premier League matches. [LNB]The likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, Wayne Rooney, Ashley Cole...the list goes on. They contend with playing three games a week for months. [LNB]And Wolves had five days to recover for Burnley's visit. [LNB]Under pressure: McCarthy[LNB]I do understand Mick's thoughts on injuries. But when did the knock to Andy Keogh take place? That's right, during training. [LNB]So, all in all, a pretty sorry affair. But one that Wolves are well within their rights to defend. And vigorously. [LNB]They should drag up other examples - particularly when it appears there is one law for the haves and another for the have-nots. [LNB]Hopefully that will draw attention to the anti-competitive nature of the top flight. [LNB]Finally, as for Arsene Wenger's comments that McCarthy has 'damaged the international credibility of the Premier League,' well...I'm not agreeing with that.[LNB]But if that's his opinion, what affect have Wenger's selection policies had on the Carling Cup? He can't have it both ways. [LNB] Manchester United 3 Wolves 0: It's lambs to the slaughter at Old TraffordMcCarthy was right to weaken Wolves against United, claims Graham Taylor Premier League demand answers from Wolves over side that lost at UnitedVIDEO: Burnley boss Owen Coyle can't afford to do a Mick McCarthyYou've damaged Premier League! Angry Wenger hits out at Wolves' McCarthy [LNB]
