Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has hit out Danny Murphy's verbal attack on himself and his team and insisted: "We are not villains."
Murphy accused McCarthy, Sam Allardyce and Tony Pulis for sending out their Wolves, Blackburn and Stoke players "too pumped up".
But McCarthy is adamant he has only ever had a 30 second conversation with the Fulham skipper after Karl Henry's challenge on Bobby Zamora which saw the striker end up with a broken leg.
The former Republic of Ireland manager has spoken with Allardyce, the League Managers' Association and PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor over Murphy's comments.
McCarthy said: "I've only had one conversation with Danny Murphy and that was after the Fulham game when he said `don't worry, I'll make sure Zamora knows it was a fair tackle' and I said `great'.
"If Danny Murphy can decide on, or analyse my team talks or beliefs from that one 30 second conversation, then he is a better man than me.
"I find it incredible coming from someone who has never been in the dressing room with me, has never worked with me. Apart from that 30 seconds, we have never had a conversation.
"For him to pontificate like he has done, is completely wrong.
"It has not made me angry. It was a silly comment without a great deal of knowledge. It has created a huge furore and the media have had great mileage out of it."
McCarthy is hoping Murphy's comments do not influence referees perception of Wolves ahead of their clash with fellow strugglers West Ham at Molineux.
He said: "It is damned hard to pick up points. It is made harder by comments like that.
"I hope it doesn't affect referees. I am one of those managers who go into their room before the game and listen to them and treat them with respect. I don't send in my assistant or the physio.
"We will continue to play the same way but hopefully with less yellow cards.
"I don't think Danny has the info, information or experience to say something that would hurt me.
"It has not hurt me, it has made life harder for us but if people push against us, you have to push back."
Meanwhile, West Ham manager Avram Grant has confirmed Thomas Hitzlsperger will be sidelined for the next four months due to a thigh injury.
Hitzlsperger joins Zavon Hines and Jack Collison (both knee) on the long-term injury list ahead of the trip to Molineux.
Kieron Dyer is in contention to return after overcoming a stomach bug that saw him miss the 1-1 home draw with Fulham two weeks ago.
Valon Behrami, Herita Ilunga and Benni McCarthy, who have all had their own fitness concerns of late, are all improving and come into contention.
Source: DSG
