Glenn Whelan [Archive] - Page 3

EastTerracer

01/03/2009, 4:13 PM

I agree with you but just wishful thinking on my part. Trapp has maintained a very rigid formation to ensure we are solid through the middle (and one of the primary reasons why he can't fit Andy Reid in). I just feel that there are some games where we could take the game a little bit more to the opposition. Stephen Reid was showing glimpses of that at the start of the campaign but the current incumbents are not the same type of players.

I'm not going to question the boss though.

Stuttgart88

01/03/2009, 5:04 PM

Andrews likes to drive forward and got ahead of the ball quite a bit in the second half against Georgia. He defends up the pitch too, looking to tackle the guy trying to develop play. I think solidity is definitely Trap's intention for midfield but the media perception of two holding style players isn't right IMO.

Manc Irish Wolf

01/03/2009, 9:23 PM

Just watched the highlights on MOTD. Great strike by Whelan and unlucky with the effort when he hit the post. Agree that him and Andrews (along with Gibson) have the added benefit of having the ability to shoot from distance. Remember being touted really highly at Man City (where he was touted as an attacking midfielder drawing parallels with Scholes! - maybe not) and still think he has the ability to develop further providing Pulis can overcome his big, strong and African central midfield policy. Watched him and Andrew closely on the replay of the Georgia game and honestly thought he did little wrong. Mad how with the development of lower league players (Whelan & Andrews) along with the development of Youth (Garvan, McCarthy & O'Toole) our much maligned midfield options are looking increasingly more improved.

eirebhoy

01/03/2009, 9:38 PM

Watched him and Andrew closely on the replay of the Georgia game and honestly thought he did little wrong.
Agreed I was surprised to hear/read some of the stick he got after the game. Whelan got forward quite a bit too in that game.

tricky_colour

01/03/2009, 11:00 PM

Quite funny that the commentator was declaring the game over when the second goal went in "three points for Villa...etc". Whelan was probably little more than an inch off target when he hit the post.

Junior

02/03/2009, 8:30 AM

Quite funny that the commentator was declaring the game over when the second goal went in "three points for Villa...etc". Whelan was probably little more than an inch off target when he hit the post.

I was gonna stick that in the "memorable commentary" thread. It was Pearson I think but watching the MOTD highlights from the minute Carew scored it was....

"Well thats sealed the points for Villa"
"Champions league spot almost assured"
"no way back for Stoke"
etc..etc....

Hindsight a wonderful thing but it was pretty funny watching it last night.

DeLorean

02/03/2009, 11:01 AM

Watched him and Andrew closely on the replay of the Georgia game and honestly thought he did little wrong

He did little full stop.

tricky_colour

02/03/2009, 6:27 PM

He did little full stop.

He did little for his goal on Sunday he just got in the the right place at the right time, thus making it fairly easy for himeslf. Often the 'simple' stuff can go unnoticed but it played a big part in the result. I've not seen him make any blunders in what I have seen of him so far, which is very important in the role he plays, he is not a striker.

DeLorean

03/03/2009, 9:17 AM

He did little for his goal on Sunday he just got in the the right place at the right time, thus making it fairly easy for himeslf. Often the 'simple' stuff can go unnoticed but it played a big part in the result. I've not seen him make any blunders in what I have seen of him so far, which is very important in the role he plays, he is not a striker.

No but he is a central midfielder so I'd expect him to be involved. In the last 3 (at least) Ireland games at Croke Park he hasn't got tackles in, broken up play, looked for possession or used it well. I didn't see his goal the last day but I have seen Stoke a few times in the past couple of months and he's been just as poor for them as he has been for us (imo of course). It was hardly surprising that he was dropped with almost immediate effect on Diao's return from injury despite many saying he deserved credit for 'winning' his place back when it was clearly circumstantial as opposed to a good run of form. I'd say something if he was been kept out of their team by a decent player. I'm sorry but I see nothing in him so far but for Ireland's sake I hope I'm totally blind.

eirebhoy

03/03/2009, 8:06 PM

He certainly looked for possession against Georgia. He's not a brilliant player but he's been very good in a few games for us.

DeLorean

04/03/2009, 9:45 AM

He certainly looked for possession against Georgia. He's not a brilliant player but he's been very good in a few games for us.

Thought Andrews wanted the ball alright and was decent enough. Whelan imo was absolutely useless and not for the first or second time either. Obviously have to agree to disagree about him.

paul_oshea

04/03/2009, 10:12 AM

Thought Andrews wanted the ball alright and was decent enough. Whelan imo was absolutely useless and not for the first or second time either. Obviously have to agree to disagree about him.

Thats how i saw it too BL.

Torn-Ado

04/03/2009, 12:45 PM

He did little full stop.

He is the antithesis of McGeady. Whelan is cautious and plays defensively and makes sure he does little wrong. McGeady is attack minded and constantly looks to beat players etc. Which means he often loses the ball.

DeLorean

04/03/2009, 12:50 PM

He is the antithesis of McGeady. Whelan is cautious and plays defensively and makes sure he does little wrong. McGeady is attack minded and constantly looks to beat players etc. Which means he often loses the ball.

Well I think that more a case of the holding midfielders role being the antithesis of the attacking wingers to be fair.

Torn-Ado

04/03/2009, 1:32 PM

Well I think that more a case of the holding midfielders role being the antithesis of the attacking wingers to be fair.

True but I'm referring to the way each of the players are percieved. Whelan did little wrong, McGeady lost a lot of possession. Some supporters will look at Whelan against Georgia and Cyprus and say he did little wrong whereas like you said he did little full stop. They'll look at McGeady and they'll concentrate on his many mistakes and slam him eventhough he was one of our few creative options.

Personally I wish we didn't have a holding midfielder against the 'weaker' sides at home but if it works albeit ugly then so be it.

DeLorean

04/03/2009, 3:19 PM

True but I'm referring to the way each of the players are percieved. Whelan did little wrong, McGeady lost a lot of possession. Some supporters will look at Whelan against Georgia and Cyprus and say he did little wrong whereas like you said he did little full stop. They'll look at McGeady and they'll concentrate on his many mistakes and slam him eventhough he was one of our few creative options.

Ya I get you now. Totally agree.

eirebhoy

04/03/2009, 5:36 PM

Personally I wish we didn't have a holding midfielder against the 'weaker' sides at home but if it works albeit ugly then so be it.
A holding midfielder is a very broad term though (Stutts will back me up there ;)). Celtic's new little gem Marc Crosas is a holding midfielder but he's also one of the most technically gifted and tactically astute players in Scotland. He turns Celtic from average/poor into good/excellent by keeping games flowing, demanding the ball off his teammates, always being available for a pass, knowing what his next pass will be even when he hasn't got the ball, etc.

All the above is tactical and it does my head in listening to almost every pundit in Britain and Ireland talk about technical inferiority. Lampard, Gerrard, Carrick, Beckham, J.Cole, etc. are not technically limited. Most midfielders on these 2 islands are tactically limited.

Anyway, sorry about that rant but I just wish something could be done about the coaching here.

irishultra

04/03/2009, 10:14 PM

A holding midfielder is a very broad term though (Stutts will back me up there ;)). Celtic's new little gem Marc Crosas is a holding midfielder but he's also one of the most technically gifted and tactically astute players in Scotland. He turns Celtic from average/poor into good/excellent by keeping games flowing, demanding the ball off his teammates, always being available for a pass, knowing what his next pass will be even when he hasn't got the ball, etc.

All the above is tactical and it does my head in listening to almost every pundit in Britain and Ireland talk about technical inferiority. Lampard, Gerrard, Carrick, Beckham, J.Cole, etc. are not technically limited. Most midfielders on these 2 islands are tactically limited.

Anyway, sorry about that rant but I just wish something could be done about the coaching here.

have to agree well from an irish perspective anyway. whenever i have played against mainland european teams, and these include PSG, Hamburg, PSV, there was never a big gap between the technical ability of the players but they had much more awarness.

soccerc

04/03/2009, 10:37 PM

whenever i have played against mainland european teams, and these include PSG, Hamburg, PSV, there was never a big gap between the technical ability of the players but they had much more awarness.

In real life or on a simulated game?:D

Manc Irish Wolf

04/03/2009, 10:39 PM

DeLorean

05/03/2009, 9:06 AM

Another "ineffectual" game from Whelan tonight - only setting up both goals.

The lad is a simple player playing in the water-carrying role to bring others into play - which he does well. More importantly he has proven in the last couple of games (as he did in his first couple of our campaign) that he has good positional sense having that vital ability to help create something out of nothing, which is a bonus seeing as he is meant to be playing in a defensive role.

Not saying he's the best player in the world, however he deserves our support. It's easy to criticise when criticism is being looked for.

I've no problem with giving credit where it's due, well done to Whelan for setting up the goals last night and for his vital goal at the wkd. However we are entitled to rate players on what we have seen and what I have seen of him for Stoke/Ireland I think he has been poor. It's not like I head to Croker with 'Whelan Out!!' banners or anything but on a football forum with the thread being called 'Glen Whelan' I think it is fair enough to analyse whether he is any good or not.

Stuttgart88

05/03/2009, 2:00 PM

A holding midfielder is a very broad term though (Stutts will back me up there Yep, don't get me going on that front!

geysir

05/03/2009, 4:56 PM

The broad term has to include "moral courage" at the top of the list of priorities.

Stuttgart88

11/05/2009, 9:23 AM

Today's Guardian gave Whelan 9/10 for his Hull performance saying that "he controlled midfield with consummate ease" and described him & Liam Lawrence as "gifted".

NeilMcD

11/05/2009, 9:25 AM

Stutts did he play the holding midfielder role well. :)

Junior

11/05/2009, 9:57 AM

Had a fine effort from outside the box that hit the bar.

Brendan 82

12/05/2009, 2:00 PM

elroy

13/05/2009, 8:20 AM

I'm a fan of Whelan. I think he is gaining confidence and I've seen him put in some fine performances in the EPL this season. He was dropped at the start of the season but he has fought his way into Stoke's first 11. No need to mention injuries as the case for this as he is starting ahead of players who were ahead of him at the start of the season. (Olofinjana being an example) Who do we have putting in better performances in that position at an equal or higher level? Anyone...? Obviously S. Reid & Ireland do not count.

I agree, I think he is the most improved Irish player in the last six months or so, gone from a regularly unused sub to a solid first team players who seems to be getting better reviews all the time. I hope he can progress even further next year, although I fear Pulis may be in the market for a CM this summer.

eirebhoy

16/05/2009, 6:41 PM

co. down green

16/05/2009, 8:31 PM

Whelan impressive again against Wigan apparantly.

"Stoke finally began to build up a head of steam with Glenn Whelan orchestrating from midfield and Liam Lawrence delivering some dangerous crosses."

Lawrence called up for the Nigeria friendly

Whelan is delighted Lawrence�s return to fitness and form has meant a return to the Republic of Ireland fold.

Lawrence has been called up to friendly against Nigeria at Craven Cottage on May 29. Should all go well, the winger should join Whelan in the squad for the World Cup qualifier in Bulgaria on June 6.

Whelan said: �Liam has said before he wanted to get back in. Now he�s let his football do the talking and hopefully he can show what he can really do.�

Lawrence dropped down the pecking order when he was ruled out for four months with an ankle injury, but Whelan has no doubt his team-mate is good enough to play for his country.

�Definitely,� he said. �He�s proved it in the last couple of games when he has started to get back on form and get really fit.

�I don�t think there was any doubt about his ability. I am sure that is the same with the Ireland team.�

http://www.whydelilah.co.uk/news/15_May_2009/Hunger+for+Premier+League+success+drives+Whelan+on +to+new+heights.html

Crosby87

16/05/2009, 9:27 PM

Lawrence called up for the Nigeria friendly

Thought they were not naming the squad until monday?

eirebhoy

17/05/2009, 4:30 PM

Thought they were not naming the squad until monday?
Yeh the media have been fooled a few times with Trap naming his provisional squad of 40. The full squad is announced tomorrow. From the quotes it seems like Lawrence realises it's only the provisional squad that he has made, so far anyway.

soccerc

17/05/2009, 6:08 PM

Yeh the media have been fooled a few times with Trap naming his provisional squad of 40. The full squad is announced tomorrow. From the quotes it seems like Lawrence realises it's only the provisional squad that he has made, so far anyway.

Players' clubs were notified last week of the call up and sometimes they jump the gun and release the info to their local papers or websites despite an embargo. Generally the players are not told themselves until just before the annuncement.

eirebhoy

17/05/2009, 6:44 PM

Players' clubs were notified last week of the call up and sometimes they jump the gun and release the info to their local papers or websites despite an embargo. Generally the players are not told themselves until just before the annuncement.
I think it was Martin Rowlands called up to the provisional squad for a match and his clubs website reported it like he was called up to the main squad. He never was. Maybe it wasn't Rowlands but I'm sure it happened. We're not used to this provisional squad stuff. :)

Stuttgart88

17/05/2009, 8:48 PM

Not a bad PR job by FAI if deliberate. There's been alot of discontent about certain players being omitted or overlooked over the last 9 months and naming a 40 man prelim squad tells everyone that X has been looked at at the very least. Depends who's in the 40 of course.

I have to say I'd be really surprised if Laqwrence and St.Ledger are omitted from final squad and it may be a way for Trap to phase out players like Miller.

That said, it'll be some statement to leave Andy Reid out of a 40 man squad. I read it 2 ways: it may be Trap's way of putting the saga to bed once and for all or it may be the olive branch many of us hope it'll be.

Any of those more familiar with the workings of the media here got an opinion?

Interesting...

richieos

20/05/2009, 7:55 PM

i just thought id add this, i put a post up on the bbc stoke board to get the fans opinions on glenn, he seems to be getting rave reviews

hopefully he can re-create his premiership form in the green against bulgaria

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/606/A51745557

Stuttgart88

20/05/2009, 9:25 PM

I'm biased: not only do I really like Glenn's attitude he is the type of footballer I like to see succeed. An old fashioned head up & pick a pass central midfielder. The modern game seems to think a Vieira / Essien type powerhouse is more valuable - probably right in the overall scheme of things. But Whelan plays the game the way most of us like to see it played and I'm glad he's one of our own, he came through the ranks and is deservedly getting credit for a good season in a mid-table - not a relegation scrapper - EPL club.

In times gone past a UK or Ireland midfielder in today's mid-table EPL would be closer to the top.

Still, not getting carried away, I thought he was awful at home to Bulgaria and I'd have given Andrews a start ahead of him in Bari.

paul_oshea

20/05/2009, 9:47 PM

Theres a contradiction there somewere stutts, re-read!!!

Anyway he certainly doesn't play teh way i like to see it played, losing he ball, being dispossed to easy, every pass going side ways or backwards. However he seems to have applied himself, at wednesday and wherever he has been and overcome adversary at wednesday and at stoke and he is better for it, i wonder can he keep getting better? HOpefully he can and he then actually does it for us!

eirebhoy

20/05/2009, 10:21 PM

I don't know, just looking at his last match and there seems to be a fair variety in his passing and movement.

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/3759/whelanwigan.jpg

not too different to Carrick's graph against Arsenal:

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/24/carrickarsenal.jpg

Taken from:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/chalkboards/create

elroy

20/05/2009, 10:33 PM

If there was such a thing as Foot.ie season awards (now theres an idea) i would vote for Glenn for most improved player of the season. In his first few games for us he was decent but i think that had a large part to play to the fact that Stevie Reid was alongside him. He struggled at times but as the season has progressed he has got better and better and this has been illustrated by him cementing a place in the Stoke XI and arguably one of their best players of the last 10 games or so. I hope he can translate his good form into the Bulgaria game and push on again next season. If Reid can hopefully get fit, I would be very happy with himself and SR occupying the CM spots.

Junior

21/05/2009, 8:19 AM

I don't know, just looking at his last match and there seems to be a fair variety in his passing and movement.

In fairness Id say you could pick any midfielders chart and they'd all look pretty much the same:D:D lots of blue and red arrows......

As Stutts has said, I like his style, obviously he has a long way to go and much improvement required, but generally the simple passes out wide and an outlet for our defenders is a role we need doing well. I think Glenn can do this, we need to remember he only has about 10 caps to his name, played with various midfield partners.

Im hopeful he'll grow in to the role.

eirebhoy

21/05/2009, 6:31 PM

In fairness Id say you could pick any midfielders chart and they'd all look pretty much the same:D lots of blue and red arrows......

I don't don't agree. :) Compare, say, Palacios and Gareth Barry:

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7494/palaciosbarry.jpg

Now imagine Neil Lennon, Makelele or Lee Carsley's graph. :-)

I think that guardian website shows that he rarely loses the ball and he offers more than just sideward and backwards pass. That's all I was replying to.

NeilMcD

21/05/2009, 6:36 PM

To be fair Palicios is against Man Utd and Barrys is against Middlesbrough probably the best and worst teams in the Premiership.

eirebhoy

21/05/2009, 6:51 PM

To be fair Palicios is against Man Utd and Barrys is against Middlesbrough probably the best and worst teams in the Premiership.
I know but the graphs aren't the same which is what Junior was joking about. :)

Anyway, it's a fantastic site and I'd pay to get something like that for Celtic and Ireland but I should get back to Glenn Whelan. Hopefully Reid gets back fit once and for all as they have the makings of a very good partnership.

tricky_colour

22/05/2009, 4:44 PM

irishfan86

22/05/2009, 11:06 PM

I was looking through that chalkboard thing at a few players it is rather slow so I did not see many but I was rather impressed with John O Shea for 13/12/08
against Spurs, I tried to post it but I can't figure out how to (easily).
Anyway it was nearly all blue, 70 passes 68 successful and 2 unsuccessful.

Not found a better one than that yet.

In fairness, John O'Shea hardly ever makes a pass longer than 10 yards, and rarely does he try a penetrating through ball (the most likely to fail).

tetsujin1979

22/05/2009, 11:15 PM

In fairness, John O'Shea hardly ever makes a pass longer than 10 yards, and rarely does he try a penetrating through ball (the most likely to fail).
it would want to be some through ball if he played it from defence!

One thing that's missing from the guardian site is a list of how many passes were made to each player, but beggars can't be choosers

tricky_colour

23/05/2009, 12:09 AM

In fairness, John O'Shea hardly ever makes a pass longer than 10 yards, and rarely does he try a penetrating through ball (the most likely to fail).

None the less you have blue right up the left side of the field and tonnes of possesion,it does look impresive, keeping the ball is half the game and so many passes indicates a high work rate. Anyway he will be startiinig the Champions League final and I believe he has played the most games for Man U
the Premireship winner, and possible Champions league winners so he can't be completely uselsss?

irishfan86

23/05/2009, 3:16 AM

I never once said he was useless- my point was that you could hardly call him an adventurous player with the ball.

O'Shea is an average passer/user of the ball at best, and all this chart tells us is that he doesn't have the confidence or ability to be creative with the ball.

The majority of his passes are over short distances to the winger or to a centre-half.