The Managers Reaction: Wenger And Hoddle

By Scott Cooper
January 30 2005

MANAGERS REACTON | WOLVES boss Glenn Hoddle was furious with a decision to deny Wolves a penalty in the first half, but Arsenal boos Arsene Wenger was full of praise for the visitors.

Wolves boss Glenn Hoddle was furious that Referee Mike Riley pointed at the spot when Thierry Henry was felled but refused to award Wolves a penalty when Joleon Lescott was tugged back in the area.

Wolves made the game tough for Arsenal who found Oakes in inspiring form. The on-looking Sven Goran Erickson would have been mighty impressed with the former Aston Villa man's performance.

"We had a cast-iron penalty not given to us and they got a penalty which was soft; some referees would give it, some wouldn't." Said Hoddle after the game."

"We had a cast-iron penalty not given to us"

"I don't know how they choose the referees but it has got to be looked at. He's a Premiership referee and there was definitely a familiarity between him and their players."

Meanwhile Arsenal boss Wenger had nothing but praise for Wolves. "The Wolves centre-backs had an outstanding day and if we wanted an intense physical preparation for Tuesday then it was a good one" Said Wenger

"I smelled that it would be a difficult game although I was a bit surprised by their commitment and organisation."