• What They Said

What They Said: Managers united in referee criticism

Wayne Hennessey earned praise from both managers © AFP

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• News: Wolves launch Milijas appeal
  
• Features: Plays of the Day: McCarthy gives referee a bum review
  
• News: Spurs defeat Norwich as Fletcher frustrates Gunners
  

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Arsene Wenger bemoaned his side's lack of composure as they dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Wolves, despite seeing Gervinho give them an early lead. He said: "It was the kind of day where maybe we were not relaxed enough, maybe we wanted it so much, that we were a bit too in the 'wanting zone' and not enough in just the 'technical zone'.

"There are going to be a lot of twists and turns. When you have the luck of the results yesterday and you play today, you can take advantage of it, that is where the worrying thing is because in the season you have to take your opportunities.

He added: "We just have to keep going and take the positives out of the game.

"It is frustrating, but I am more frustrated by the result than the performance and the spirit. You cannot fault the attitude or the commitment or the desire to win the game.

"Their 'keeper [Wayne Hennessey] had the game of his life, Wolves fought like mad and well done to them.

"I don't know how many shots we had on goal and how many they had, but it was the kind of game that if you play it 20 times you win 19 and you draw one - and it was today, which we could not afford."

Mick McCarthy was proud of his team after they held on to earn a point, but could not resist questioning the decision to send off Milijas - and acknowledged the club will probably appeal: "I think so.

"I think there will be no doubt about it when everyone sees it, and I hope that when the referee sees it, he's magnanimous enough to know that he's made a mistake and he'll rescind it.

"It's just never a red card, that's why I walked across and shook his [Milijas's] hand. I wasn't shaking his hand to annoy anybody. He's got his feet on the ground and he actually makes contact with the ball. I was so surprised that he sent him off but it just makes the performance even better, I think."

McCarthy added to the praise for goalkeeper Hennessey.

"I'm extremely proud," he added. "I think that everyone who has come from Wolverhampton or anywhere else to support us would have seen a real fighting performance.

"We've had to defend, and for 21 minutes with 10 men so it was an outstanding defensive performance.

"He's fantastic, Wayne. I keep saying that I think he's one of the best in the league. He's still a very young man and he proved that today.

"He was outstanding when they got past the rest of them he pulled off some great saves."

Harry Redknapp was pleased to see his Spurs side defeat Norwich, but played down the inevitable questions about challenging for the Premier League title. "If there's one game to go and we're sitting with a chance to win the league," he said.

"We'd like to get back in the Champions League and that won't be easy. Man United and Man City look so strong, I wouldn't like to pick up a winner out of those two.

"We'd like to get back in the Champions League and that won't be easy."

He was also reticent when asked if he planned on adding to the squad in January, saying: "Not really, no. I think it would only cause us problems.

"Unless, as I have said all along, there was somebody out there at a different level. But I don't know where you find that player. Well, I do know there is one or two, but we probably can't get them, so it is difficult."

Redknapp's Norwich counterpart, Paul Lambert, backed Spurs' title credentials - as he praised his players for their efforts. "The bigger teams can really hurt you and Spurs are definitely up there vying for the championship," he said.

"It's disappointing (to lose), but we gave it everything we had. They've got quality all over the pitch."

"I think we have done great [this season]. I think we have handled it really well. We have competed with teams. The lads have given me everything."

Danny Graham's actions received attention from both managers © Getty Images

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After QPR drew 1-1 with Swansea City away from home, Neil Warnock couldn't shake off a few frustrations - particularly with referee Lee Probert. He said: "I'm disappointed that we haven't got three points.

"We got the stuffing knocked out of us. The referee saw it was handball [for Danny Graham's opening goal] but said it was not intentional. It was a crucial decision, a big decision like that. You've got to know the game."

When pressed on Probert's display, Warnock added dryly: "He was consistent right from the first minute to the last."

Swansea City boss Brendan Rodgers joined the criticism of Probert, believing Graham deserved a second-half penalty after being fouled by Armand Traore. "It was a clear penalty. I've seen it from a few angles and it was a clear penalty," Rodgers said. "We had worked the space very well, our movement was good and Traore's made the foul on Danny. Normally when that happens you expect to get a penalty. I thought it summed up Lee's performance, which was interesting to say the least.

"If we had the penalty we would have gone on to win the game for sure."

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