Hennessey can handle Wolves’ lack of clean sheets

Nov 21 2009 by Bill Howell, Birmingham Mail

WAYNE Hennessey insists his inability to keep clean sheets this season is not weighing on his mind.

Indeed, the 22-year-old has praised his back four for their performances during the first third of the season.

The Welsh goalkeeper has let in 22 league goals in 12 games and kept just one shut-out, at Wigan.

“It’s been interesting for me so far and we’ve seen as a team how we can get punished by the players in this league,” the former Manchester City youth player said.

“We have conceded goals but there will be a lot of times in this league when you just have to put your hands up and say there’s nothing we could have done about that.

“The lads in front of me have all done really well when they’ve been put to the test and what we’ve got to do is make sure we don’t concede goals through making mistakes.”

Hennessey had to pick the ball out of the net four times against Arsenal but Mick McCarthy has been immensely impressed with his performances to date.

“Hennessey has been brilliant. He’s 22 and a fabulous goalkeeper,” McCarthy said.

“I just think he’s had a stunning season so far.”

The player himself concedes that the continual presence of Marcus Hahnemann behind the scenes is keeping him on his toes.

“I feel I’ve done OK so far and have obviously got the battle to try to keep the number one shirt here and help to keep us up.”

Hennessey admits he mulls over his Prozone stats with goalkeeper coach Pat Mountain.

“I like to go back and watch the games again with Pat,” he said.

“As a player you always like to think of what you could have done better or differently.

“Was that the best pass out from the back or throw? Should I have come for a cross or been in a different position?

“Have we had the right number of people in the wall for a free kick?” Hennessey said.

“As they say, you are only as good as your last game and there are always little things you can do to improve.

“You look at all different types of situations and see if you could have changed things.”