The Cottagers midfielder, speaking in the wake of a number of reckless tackles in the Premier League, claimed a number of clubs, including Wolves, Blackburn and Stoke, were responsible for firing their players up and making "ridiculous" and "brainless" challenges. Mancienne, though, insists that Mick McCarthy has never advised his side to act aggressively against the opposition He acknowledges that the bad press which continues to follow club captain Karl Henry has hardly helped Wolves' cause, but the England Under-21 international is adamant that no-one ever sets out to intentionally inflict harm on an opponent. "No, I don't think that's true at all," Mancienne said in The People. "Joey Barton was never targeted in the Newcastle game, nothing was said like that. Karl Henry likes to put his foot in and that's what he was doing. No-one was targeted at all. "We have a lot of this talk around us but we do play football at Wolves. "Karl Henry has been dug out a little bit but sometimes it isn't always his fault. It was a bad challenge against Wigan but the challenge that broke Bobby Zamora's ankle wasn't. "It is hard to shrug off this image once you are labelled with it. People will always think we just turn up and kick everyone. It doesn't affect our frame of mind. We go into every game with the same mindset. "Mick would never encourage us not to tackle and be committed. You have to psych yourself up for every game. You have to want it but you have to be calm at the same time. You can be over-psyched but it's important to be calm and we have that in our team." Meanwhile, having played in a variety of roles for Wolves during three loan spells at Molineux, Mancienne is hoping his domestic performances this season will help to force him back into the senior England fold. He said: "I got in one senior squad once against Germany but I didn't play. It was disappointing. I've just got to keep on working hard for my club and then if I'm playing well I'll get my opportunities. "I've played in so many positions but I'm really enjoying holding midfield. I'd rather have versatility in my game and be able to play wherever I'm needed. "Mick McCarthy has played me at centre-back, holding midfield, centre midfielder and at right-back so as long as I can get in the team I'm happy. "It gives us confidence when we see a player like Jack Wilshere move up to the senior England team because it shows the gaffer is interested in pushing us through."
