Glenn Whelan

[Closed Account]

http://www.newstalk.ie/news/sport/liverpool-consider-whelan-approach/

:eek:
:confused:
:D

This was something that crossed my mind (not specifically Whelan), that with Roy in charge, Liverpool might actually consider more Irish players. Duff....

[rebelmusic]

Well I suppose he's a much cheaper version of Mascherano. Would be a great move alright

[Charlie Darwin]

I can see the headlines now: "Reds sign Ronnie Whelan's son Glenn"

[Razors left peg]

Well I suppose he's a much cheaper version of Mascherano. Would be a great move alright

while hes not as good an all round player as Mascherano I reckon hes a better passer of the ball than him.... and hes definately a better player than Lucas

[Charlie Darwin]

There are very few players who play like Mascherano. Whelan's one of a few players who has the discipline to do the job but I don't think he'd be particularly brilliant at it.

edit: yes, I realise how ridiculous it is to describe anything Mascherano does as "disciplined"

[Kingdom]

while hes not as good an all round player as Mascherano I reckon hes a better passer of the ball than him.... and hes definately a better player than Lucas

I was going to say you're a bit off with both comments, but maybe not. I like Glenn, and from day one I've been impressed with him in an Irish shirt. His simple passing reminds me a lot of Alonso, the best and most complete passer of a ball I've seen in the Premiership, and he does like a shot as well. In this regard, yes he is ahead of Mascherano in this regard. However, destructively he is a good deal below the level of Mascherano, not a crime in itself, as Mascherano is unrivalled in what he does in the Premiership I believe. Glenn is nowhere near as fast as Mascherano either, who is deceptively quick and covers ground very well.
As for Lucas, I personally think the lad is pretty good, and last season was excellent along with Reina when no other Liverpool players decided to turn up.

[geysir]

At least Vieira has given Glenn a stamp of approval.

[Charlie Darwin]

Is a destructive player like Mascherano necessary anyway? A dynamic midfield of Gerrard, Lucas and A.N. Other would be perfectly capable of doing a job. If you have a player of Mascherano's quality, it would be foolish not to play to his strengths, but if he leaves there's no unwritten rule that means you need a like-for-like replacement.

[Kingdom]

Is a destructive player like Mascherano necessary anyway? A dynamic midfield of Gerrard, Lucas and A.N. Other would be perfectly capable of doing a job. If you have a player of Mascherano's quality, it would be foolish not to play to his strengths, but if he leaves there's no unwritten rule that means you need a like-for-like replacement.

Not necessarily, and we've seen with Germany, Spain that you don't need to have an exclusively destructive player in order to be successful. However without one, you need your midfield trio or quartet, to be extremely disciplined, and in Steven Gerrard, LFC do not have an extremely disciplined player. They have a self-confirmed deity.
Anyway this is going off in a tangent.

Therefore, Glenn Whelan abú!

[ped_ped]

Whelen picks up injury in friendly (http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/0802/whelang.html)

[rebelmusic]

He's pulled out of the Argentina match unfortunately, but claims he should be fit for the start of the season. Could this mean trap will call up McCarthy?

[tetsujin1979]

He's pulled out of the Argentina match unfortunately, but claims he should be fit for the start of the season. Could this mean trap will call up McCarthy?
Possibly, but I doubt it. He's playing the previous night for the U21's. With a large squad, there could be no call up at all.
Just a real outside contender for a call up - Joey O'Brien?

[Razors left peg]

I would imagine that this guarantees Paul Green a start against Argentina, I havent been as impressed by him as some others have but if he does well against Argentina I think that would show that he really is good enough for the squad

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm happy enough with that. We know what Whelan can do so it'll be interesting to see how Green fares against Argentina. He's certainly decent on the ball and playing it in tight situations, which is something we've struggled with.

Incidentally, it appears Messi has snubbed the Aviva friendly to go on tour with the unofficial Catalonia side.

[Stuttgart88]

I'd have thought Green is Andrews' back up, Gibson being Whelan's. No?

[Razors left peg]

I'd have thought Green is Andrews' back up, Gibson being Whelan's. No?

I dunno, I think Andrews is a bit more attacking for us than Whelan so I would have thought that makes Gibson his back up

[Charlie Darwin]

They're all asked to do more or less the same job, but I'd say Green is more in the Whelan mould. Andrews is the more athletic of the two, which is probably what Gibson will become in time too.

[Kingdom]

When the squad was released, Malone reported on the McCarthy absence mentioning that due to the extended squad there would be no further additions envisaged.
As for the like for like comparisons, I think Glenn is exclusive in our team, I'd have Andrews and Green as copies of one another, while Gibson is different to that mould of player and to Whelan, but is still finding his way (I don't think he'll turn out great - but I've been wrong before!).

I've great time for Whelan, I like the player who can collect the ball from the centre halves, distribute to the fb's, collect again and put it out wide to a winger. A tempo player. While I like Andrews as well, if we were able to upgrade on him for say, McCarthy, Clifford (or Garvan if he ever gets the break a few of us think he needs), then I think we'd really have a strong central midfield. He isn't afraid to shoot, and while not everything comes off, he does try to vary things. I think he's really underrated, and the best of the established central midfielders we have. This was best underlined in my opinion, when he went off against France in Paris. That (and O'Shea departing) were the turning points for me.

Hopefully he's fit for the start of the group.

[irishfan86]

If we're comparing players Kingdom, I'd have Green as very similar to Whelan. A good footballer who can play the physical side as well, despite not being a giant.

Andrews is more athletic and direct, while Gibson is something completely different -- I don't think anybody really knows fully what sort of player he'll develop into.

[Charlie Darwin]

Gibson is fat according to his thread on here so he'll probably turn into Andy Reid.

[Scram]

Very surprised he's pulled out of the Irish game. Maybe he's getting a bit cocky!!

[Razors left peg]

Very surprised he's pulled out of the Irish game. Maybe he's getting a bit cocky!!

or maybe he got a bit injured !!!

[irishfan86]

Scram, Trap told him to rest for September:

"Trapattoni confirmed Glenn Whelan and Seán St Ledger will miss next week’s friendly international against Argentina but dismissed suggestions Robbie Keane might be missing for the same reason. “They (Whelan and St Ledger) want to play but I say to them to be quiet because I want them to play in September; it’s more important. This game can be an opportunity for some new players like (Paul) Green."

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0806/1224276309889.html

[tetsujin1979]

About to be interviewed on Today FM ahead of the qualifier next weekend
Starting today, with Wilson, Delap and Walters against Newcastle

[TrapAPony]

About to be interviewed on Today FM ahead of the qualifier next weekend
Starting today, with Wilson, Delap and Walters against Newcastle

...and Pennant. :)

[DannyInvincible]

I know it's being discussed in other threads due to the apparent McCarthy, Wilson and Walters no-shows, but is Whelan currently with the squad, does anyone know? And, if so, when did he arrive? Did he arrive alone and ahead of his Stoke team-mates? If he did, it's both strange and surprising the others didn't follow his lead.* If not, why hasn't his name been mentioned in the media along with Wilson and Walters?

*Unless the others had to stay behind for scans. Aren't there suggestions they were injured or at least picked up knocks or something? Hard to follow all this with the conflicting reports.

[Dodge]

Dan McDonnell has a story in today's (Thursday) indo about Walters injury

Another possible reason for Whelan to travel to Dublin earlier is to meet family etc.

[Sullivinho]

I'd like to be able to answer your question Danny but we're both on the waiting list in that respect. Just watched the Carling Cup coverage on RTE there and Darragh Maloney mentioned Glenn in the same breath as the three infidels though. I'd be very much surprised if Glenn was a messer.

Houghton was practically bragging about his 70+ caps. Said he can remember every one and can't relate at all to the stunts McCarthy and co. are pulling. Fair play to him. Sadlier seems to have become the station's best pundit unbeknownst to me.

Edit: Whelan and Fahey due in the next 24/48 hours apparently. (http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/tardelli-show-some-respect-155793.html)

"Better news is that Glenn Whelan and Keith Fahey, although both require scans, are expected to join the camp in the next 24 to 48 hours."

[Charlie Darwin]

A little bit from today's Examiner that only asks more questions:

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/fai-should-have-been-more-understanding--martinez-155792.html

[DannyInvincible]

A little bit from today's Examiner that only asks more questions:

http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/fai-should-have-been-more-understanding--martinez-155792.html


Tardelli yesterday said [Wilson] is "out. He has a problem, injured." But a source within Stoke City said that wasn’t the case. As far as the club hierarchy were concerned, Wilson was set to travel to Dublin on Tuesday morning. All three players had been given special dispensation to attend Stoke’s player-of-the-year awards on Sunday and come to Dublin later. In the event all three left on a club-arranged coach at 11.15pm.

Efforts to contact Wilson’s camp yesterday proved unsuccessful. Stoke also declined to make an official comment.

I thought Wilson had already arrived in Dublin (http://foot.ie/threads/90290-Marc-Wilson?p=1489648&viewfull=1#post1489648), although whoever posted that on YBIG also appears to have understood that Walters and Whelan came with him, which clearly isn't the case. And if all three left on the coach together, when did they become separated? Or was this some coach taking them from the awards ceremony to their homes or something and they're all still in Stoke? I'm assuming no issue has been made of Whelan's absence as he contacted the FAI and they were satisfied that his reasons were valid? I never particularly perceived him to be a messer or anyone other than someone who'd give his all for us anyway either.

[Stuttgart88]

Totally bizarre.

[geysir]

You'd think any excuse would do to get out of Stoke.

Maybe since the the era of drinking sessions/marathon sing songs/poker schools, have come under strict curfew - the thrill has gone from the Irish squad meets.

[shakermaker1982]

I hope they are still allowed to do the Harry Ramsden challenge Geysir!

[Charlie Darwin]

Confirmation that Whelan and Fahey have joined up with the squad but were unable to train today.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2011/0526/1224297832481.html

[tommy_c12000]

Whelan going nowhere

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12876_6994005,00.html

[SkStu]

Whelan going nowhere

harsh, but true. :D

[Charlie Darwin]

The Pulis quotes seem to lack context. Was somebody saying he was out of favour at Stoke? He seemed to play every game in the second half of the season.

[Deckydee]

Linked with QPR

[tetsujin1979]

off the mark for the season tonight against FC Thun

[BonnieShels]

Great goal as well.

[tetsujin1979]

Interview with Whelan and Keogh with some competition winners organised by lucozade ahead of the upcoming double header: http://www.joe.ie/football/international-football/video-keogh-whelan-0015367-1

[Murfinator]

With Wilson Palacios joining Stoke presumably Whelans starting place is in jeopardy.

[paul_oshea]

is he not more of a wide midfielder?

[Kingdom]

With Wilson Palacios joining Stoke presumably Whelans starting place is in jeopardy.

Nope, Delap if anyone. I like Pulis - he's setting his sights a bit higher now (he has approached CHelsea for Lukaku)
Palacios is good competition for Pennant.

Whelan, Wilson, Whitehead and Diao are the centre options.
Unless Pulis is going to adopt a 4321 formation with Etherington and Pennant wide and a narrow three in the middle as Palacios would slot into the right of the three, Wilson the left of the three, and Whelan as the sitter.

[the bear]

Nope, Delap if anyone. I like Pulis - he's setting his sights a bit higher now (he has approached CHelsea for Lukaku)
Palacios is good competition for Pennant.

Whelan, Wilson, Whitehead and Diao are the centre options.
Unless Pulis is going to adopt a 4321 formation with Etherington and Pennant wide and a narrow three in the middle as Palacios would slot into the right of the three, Wilson the left of the three, and Whelan as the sitter.

how ?? palacios is a defensive centre mid who is a good battler but his passing can really let him down, pennant is an out and out winger whos crossing really lets him down. I would think whelans place is very much under threat, pulis will always look to have delap in for the throw ins.

[elroy]

In fairness to Whelan there have been a number of times when his days have look numbered at Stoke..........he was out of the starting XI for a significant chunk of last year IIRC. However, each time he has battled back to re-establish himself and appears to be one of the first choice in midfield these days.

[geysir]

With Wilson Palacios joining Stoke presumably Whelans starting place is in jeopardy.

Stoke like their W's in a players name.

[tricky_colour]

Glenn on the way to West Ham according to this
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2030882/Stoke-buy-Tottenham-pair-Peter-Crouch-Wilson-Palacios-15million.html

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3780448/Tottenham-close-in-on-Scott-Parker.html

[tricky_colour]

http://oatcakefanzine.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Potters&action=display&thread=172457&page=3

Divided opinion on a Stoke forum, one or two want to get rid of him but the majority want him to stay.

"whelan has to stay IMO"

"Still think we'd be mad to get rid of Whelan"

"Whelan is a weak link. Get rid Tone while you have the chance!"

"Jesus ****ing wept" (response to the above)

So not really divided, the vast majority are keen he stays.

[Kingdom]

how ?? palacios is a defensive centre mid who is a good battler but his passing can really let him down, pennant is an out and out winger whos crossing really lets him down. I would think whelans place is very much under threat, pulis will always look to have delap in for the throw ins.

Palacios started more games he played for Spurs on the right.