Wolves lost 2-1 to West Ham United on Monday night and there were some unsavoury scenes at the end involving Mario Lemina.
Lemina was involved in a bust-up with Jarrod Bowen, and the Wolves captain frustrations then saw him push the likes of Nelson Semedo, Toti Gomes and Shaun Derry away from him.
Lemina apologised for his behaviour against West Ham today, but also explained why he did what he did.
Lemina has drawn criticism for his reaction, with some feeling that those were not the actions of a club captain. Others did actually praise Lemina for showing a bit of passion and fight.
Bowen gave his take on the Lemina altercation, stating he wanted to shake his opposite number’s hand. He admitted he ‘probably boiled over a bit at the end’.
For former Molineux midfielder Karl Henry, Lemina’s actions were understandable.
- READ MORE: Gary O’Neil sent strong message from Wolves fans after Mario Lemina incident – he’s ‘too emotional’
Karl Henry defends Mario Lemina
It hasn’t been a good season for Lemina and this latest episode is not a good look.
As the captain, he has to shoulder a lot of responsibility and in recent weeks, it looks as though the pressure has been getting to him.
Fans will remember his emotional response to the defeat to Liverpool back in September, and some have wondered whether he’s really up to sporting the armband.
Today, former Wolves midfielder Karl Henry has taken to X to defend Lemina and to explain why he may have reacted in the way he did, offering three reasons.
He said: “Lemina just had an altercation with Bowen (Bowen seemed to cause it), lost a big game, was probably still processing the injustice of three disgraceful calls from the officials, and had just been booked for doing nothing wrong. He’s reacting like most passionate leaders would!”
Lemina rage was understandable
Lemina had cut a very frustrated and, at times, desolate figure during last night’s game.
It’s a tough time for everyone at the club but as the captain, there’s extra responsibility there and he’s looked like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders at times this season.
Seemingly, Bowen provoked Lemina at the end of Monday night’s game and the emotion just spilled over.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 14 |  West HamWest Ham | 15 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 18 | 27 | -9 | 16 |
| 15 |  EvertonEverton | 14 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 14 | 21 | -7 | 14 |
| 16 |  LeicesterLeicester | 15 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 21 | 30 | -9 | 14 |
| 17 |  Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace | 15 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 20 | -6 | 13 |
| 18 |  WolvesWolves | 15 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 22 | 36 | -14 | 10 |
| 19 |  IpswichIpswich | 15 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 27 | -13 | 9 |
| 20 |  SouthamptonSouthampton | 15 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 11 | 31 | -20 | 5 |
It may well have been that Lemina was also thinking about the potential repercussions of the defeat for the manager.
Gary O’Neil remains in charge and is set to take the game against Ipswich Town this weekend as things currently stand, which will probably be a relief for Lemina, who passionately defended O’Neil after the defeat to Everton.