Glenn Whelan

[Duggie]

i think he deserves his own thread. im beginning to accept traps decision to play whelan instead of reid in central midfield now. trap just wants him to break things up and put it about a bit. he was magnificant last night, won the ball back countless times and got stuck in. now i think we prob all accept that reid is a better player but for the role trap wants him to play hes perfect. 9 points from our next 3 home games will do very nicely.

[Oink]

Yeah I was a bit sceptical about his inclusion in the side from day 1, didnt know much about him but didnt rate him in the first few friendly games alongside Miller (who was the poorer of the 2)... but fair play to him last night, did a job well. I think Reid's presence gives Whelan more confidence in himself and the strength of the midfield, which makes him less prone to giving the ball away stupidly (which he was doing a lot previously).

He's by no means a great player, but I think he is playing to his strengths and understands his role in the team and if he continues to get that right he earns his jersey.

[dr_peepee]

I'm itching to see if he starts aginst Everton on Sunday!!!

[seanfhear]

so far pretty good for Ireland

[John83]

...trap just wants him to break things up and put it about a bit...
He preferred that kind of midfield at Juve too. I think he'll stick with it unless he runs out of competent players for those roles.

[finnpark]

i think he deserves his own thread. im beginning to accept traps decision to play whelan instead of reid in central midfield now. trap just wants him to break things up and put it about a bit. he was magnificant last night, won the ball back countless times and got stuck in. now i think we prob all accept that reid is a better player but for the role trap wants him to play hes perfect. 9 points from our next 3 home games will do very nicely.

Yes 100% correct!

I don't think anyone in their right mind could ever suggest that Andy Reid is a proven holding midfielder in a defensive team. Hes an attacking player if anything. Can't see him featuring much in this team. Also, Andy Reid was championship player in England last year and is now only playing for a mid table premiership in England. Hardly world class. The way some people go on here and in the media you would think Reid is something special which is not. A good player but lacks fitness and pace - a bit like Beckham.

There is not need to call Stevie Ireland back either, he doesn't fit into the system.

Darly Murphy should be playing!!! One day you will agree with me when Murphy gets his chance he will not let us down - I promise!!!

[third policeman]

I've also been won over by Whelan. there is no doubt that we are looking a lot more solid with him sitting in front of the central defenders. He's actually more effective and more productive than Carsley was in what was a similar role. Still not happy though that we cannot find a place for Andy Reid particularly as we are still not giving Robbie and Doyle any really decent supply. I agree that reid does not have the pace to play wide, but does a 4-4-2 system with two wide players actually work for our strikers? Maybe the answer is a 4-1-2-3 system.

Whelan in front of the back four, Reid and Reid ahead of him and a front three of Doyle, McGeady and Keane. Actually think that this system would suit McGeady better as well.

[livehead1]

I feel that Whelan should keep his place in the side and does a better job than Andy Reid woudl do in a similar role. However, that said, last night Hunt gave the ballaway on numerous occassions very cheaply. Against Montenegro it wasn't too costly as they were similarly poor in possession. However against better sides it is imperative that all our players are comfortable in possession. Set piece delivery was also awful from Hunt last night. These are two of A.Reid's main strengths and for these reasons alone it is possibly justifiable to call for his inclusion.

[bogwarrior]

Also, Andy Reid was championship player in England last year and is now only playing for a mid table premiership in England. Hardly world class. The way some people go on here and in the media you would think Reid is something special which is not. A good player but lacks fitness and pace - a bit like Beckham.



I thought the title of the thread was Glenn Whelan not andy reid bashing?! Very unjust in my opinion. He has made a great start to life at sunderland. As the commentator pointed out last nite - his opta stats are up there with anyone in the premier league right now.

You cant say that hunty has pace now can you? I'd love to see a race between the two of them... it would be ridiculously close! Andy Reid has to come in on the left wing for me. Hunty was atrocious with the ball at his feet last nite. Doyle and Keane would benefit much more with the craft of Reid in the team. I wouldnt worry about the defensive side of his game. If Trap can get McGeady to track back he can do it with Andy Reid. To say he lacks fitness is wrong as well. Would Roy Keane tolerate him in the middle of the park for Sunderland week in week out if he wasnt up to it fitness wise?? In my opinion that argument is a not starter. Regardless of whether he looks fat or not!

Delighted with the effort from the whole team last nite...i think stephen kelly when back from injury will be a better option than finnan at right back but other than that i think we have a fighting chance of qualifying!!

[Fergie's Son]

Delighted with the effort from the whole team last nite...i think stephen kelly when back from injury will be a better option than finnan at right back but other than that i think we have a fighting chance of qualifying!!

Er...no.

[Razors left peg]

Darly Murphy should be playing!!! One day you will agree with me when Murphy gets his chance he will not let us down - I promise!!!

Can you not even go for one day without bringing up that shyte.Hes a decent player and Im glad he's in the squad but thats all he is, a decent squad player. Hes had plenty of chances in the Premiership and hasnt scored fcuk all....
Im ignoring my own advice by not ignoring this but its getting very old at this stage

[bellavistaman]

Er...no.

Correct, how wrong was kelly ahead of finnan, imagine that, are you off your chuck bogwarrior..

Good thread well deserved.

[Stuttgart88]

Anyone read Paul McGrath in the Indo? Basically saying Whelan has proved his doubts to be misplaced and while he maintains there's a role for Andy Reid in the team it's definitely not at Whelan's expense.

McGrath's whole summary was spot on im my view, though I can't find it online to post here.

[FarBeag]

I thought the title of the thread was Glenn Whelan not andy reid bashing?! Very unjust in my opinion. He has made a great start to life at sunderland. As the commentator pointed out last nite - his opta stats are up there with anyone in the premier league right now.

You cant say that hunty has pace now can you? I'd love to see a race between the two of them... it would be ridiculously close! Andy Reid has to come in on the left wing for me. Hunty was atrocious with the ball at his feet last nite. Doyle and Keane would benefit much more with the craft of Reid in the team. I wouldnt worry about the defensive side of his game. If Trap can get McGeady to track back he can do it with Andy Reid. To say he lacks fitness is wrong as well. Would Roy Keane tolerate him in the middle of the park for Sunderland week in week out if he wasnt up to it fitness wise?? In my opinion that argument is a not starter. Regardless of whether he looks fat or not!

Delighted with the effort from the whole team last nite...i think stephen kelly when back from injury will be a better option than finnan at right back but other than that i think we have a fighting chance of qualifying!!


you were going so well until you brought Kelly into it.

[newbie]

it was good to see Dunphy say he was wrong about Whelan aswel,i know hes a dead brain at times but at least he seen he was wrong.

[0325422]

you were going so well until you brought Kelly into it.

Agreed!!!!!!!!!
Thats Crazy Talk!!!!!

[0325422]

it was good to see Dunphy say he was wrong about Whelan aswel,i know hes a dead brain at times but at least he seen he was wrong.

Agreed but i think he got it wrong about Hunt, he had a stinker!!!

[irishfan86]

Agreed but i think he got it wrong about Hunt, he had a stinker!!!

Hunt wasn't very good going forward, but he made some crucial tackles in our half. His tracking back was tremendous that game.

As for Whelan, I was very doubtful about his inclusion from the beginning, but he really has been one of the stars in our two games so far. Obviously his goal was a bit lucky, but in fairness he had the courage to shoot from there and based on his two performances, getting a goal is fair.

Hopefully Whelan can get some game time with Stoke or on loan so that he can stay match fit for our game next month.

[bogwarrior]

Getting a roasting over mentioning Stephen Kelly! Lads - he played every premier league game for birmingham last season and was runner up as their player of the year. I know they were relegated blah blah blah but he performed consistently well.

Finnan was let go by liverpool coz he's past it, and based on wednesdays inept display i think we should shift him on as well. :eek:

[tetsujin1979]

Finnan was let go by liverpool coz he's past itSo I guess he was picked up by Espanyol because he's past it as well?

based on wednesdays inept display i think we should shift him on as well. :eek:Inept display? How many crosses came in from the Montenergrin's left wing? I didn't see any. Finnan was composed, calm, rarely gave the ball away, and linked well with the rest of the defence as well McGeady in front of him. Kelly will be back in the squad when he's recovered from injury, but there's no way he's going to displace Finnan on that form.

[irishfan86]

Getting a roasting over mentioning Stephen Kelly! Lads - he played every premier league game for birmingham last season and was runner up as their player of the year. I know they were relegated blah blah blah but he performed consistently well.

Finnan was let go by liverpool coz he's past it, and based on wednesdays inept display i think we should shift him on as well. :eek:

Stephen Kelly had a better season than Finnan last year.

Finnan is still the better player.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm not just biased (I hope) but Benitez seems to have a blind spot when it comes to full backs, just like wenger with centre backs and keepers.

Espanyol's comments about Finnan were spot on: nothing flash, but consistently solid and mistake free. Always a 7/10.

It's hard to stand out (Bacary Sagna's hair apart) as full back unless you're a bad one.

[Bohemian1890]

Getting a roasting over mentioning Stephen Kelly! Lads - he played every premier league game for birmingham last season and was runner up as their player of the year. I know they were relegated blah blah blah but he performed consistently well.

Finnan was let go by liverpool coz he's past it, and based on wednesdays inept display i think we should shift him on as well. :eek:


:rolleyes:You are a loser if Finnan was Spanish he would still be there getting his game and most Liverpool fans(real ones)think it was a mistake to let him go.

[bogwarrior]

So I guess he was picked up by Espanyol because he's past it as well?
Inept display? How many crosses came in from the Montenergrin's left wing? I didn't see any. Finnan was composed, calm, rarely gave the ball away, and linked well with the rest of the defence as well McGeady in front of him. Kelly will be back in the squad when he's recovered from injury, but there's no way he's going to displace Finnan on that form.

Agreed - inept was over board but i didn't rate his performance. Caught out a few times by the winger, once which was nearly the cause of goal. Everyone makes mistakes fair enough but I think you're confusing the word calm with slow. He slowed everything down and pumped the ball long to their centre halves too often giving possession away far to cheaply. I'd like to see kelly given a chance in there.

As for Bohemian calling me a loser for having an opinon?!:p I'll laugh that one off Kiddo:rolleyes:.

[Morbo]

Bogwarrior has a point, I don't think Finnan is quite the player he was a couple of seasons back, I don't know if he should be dropped for Kelly but Finnan starting ahead of Kelly is no longer a no brainer

[NeilMcD]

So Ciaran any comments on Glenn Whelan after those 2 games.

[zenokelly]

Still omitted from the Stoke team, although two players who couldn't even make the squad, Delap and Lawrence, start on the wings. Whelan still has only 55 mins of Premier league action under his belt, all from the first day of the season.

He can impress Trap, so surely he should be able to impress Tony Pulis soon.

[Greenforever]

I wouldn't personally have had Whelan in the team for the Georgia game, but fair play to him he repaid the faith shown by Trap in him, and again against Montenegro. 2 superb performances from him.

[eirebhoy]

against two of the weaker sides in our group.
Montenegro are no worse than any of the teams in our group bar Italy.

And he was motm for me vs Georgia, even without his goal. He keeps things flowing.

[soccerc]

Montenegro are no worse than any of the teams in our group bar Italy.

And he was motm for me vs Georgia, even without his goal. He keeps things flowing.

EB, ignore the troll :ball:

[NeilMcD]

Ciaran you wrote the guy off with OTT comments based on very little evidence. He goes on to produce 2 performances that get him MOTM although I would have given it to Reid for the Georgia game but he was not far off. Anyway, will you go and eat humble pie my friend. You know very little about football as can be seen from your posts and time and time again you will be proved wrong by the evidence on the pitch. You are the weakest link goodbye.

hello all from Dubrovnik.

[soccerc]

I'm a troll because I believe a Stoke reserve with a handful of caps and only notable performances against a 5th and 6th seed team still has a lot to prove? How very mature of you. :rolleyes:
You're a troll becasue you know nothing about football.

I could refer back to your many erroneous rants.

A few weeks back I replied explaining that role Glenn had been assigned a very particular role by the team management.

A role that he has been fulfilling since the Serbia game.

For the record I also clearly stated I was biased.

However there was no challenge to either of my claims from you, a challenge set to draw out the anti-Wh(o)elan mob.

I wouold almost guarantee you'd never seen Glenn play live before his first fill Ireland cap whereas there are others amongst us whom have followed his, and others like him, since they were kids in the ark.

That's why you are a troll but there are so many other examples freely available to anyone by searching and reading your posts.

[carloz]

Probably the worst player on our team against Georgia but played very well against Montenegro. He's a useful player and could become something better but it's early and it was against two of the weaker sides in our group.

Hasn't nailed down a place at Stoke and hasn't faced any of the big guns yet so I'd say he's still fairly unproven at the highest level. But he's promising.

Probably the worst player on the team against Georgia!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mate you are becoming very tiresome and i fail to see why people take your seriously on her. You dismissed Whelan on very little evidence, and so faryou have been proven very very wrong. And just so you now there is life outside of the Premiership. Yes he is getting little game time now, but he was instrumental in Stoke acheiving promotion last season and was also very consistent with Sheff Wed. Also if you had seen much of him in the under 21s, which im fairly sure you didnt, you would have seen that the guy has many talents. You dismissed him based on **** all and im glad you have been shown up because of it!!

[NeilMcD]

If he does that he will be one of the best midfielders in the world as they are that. You dismissed him and now the bar is he has to stamp his authoritity all over Pirlo and De Rossi. Talk about raising the bar.

[third policeman]

Like I said 5th and 6th seeds. If Glen does the same to Bulgaria and Italy then I'll gladly eat humble pie but until then I remain sceptical. I love how people are acting like he's the "real deal" because he held his own against the giants of Montenegro. He had 2 good games which brings promise but nothing more. Does it mean he's going to stamp his authority all over Pirlo and De Rossi? If he does I'll be thrilled but we'll see.


Agree with this. Whelan did better than I expected against Georgia and Montenegro, but what we dont know is how well someone else (ie Andy Reid, Joey O'Brien, John O'Shea, Rory Delap) would have done in that role. I still have a feeling that he will be found out by better opposition.

[Morbo]

There's very few right backs in the world that could displace Finnan. Stephen Kelly I'm pretty sure isn't one of them. :rolleyes:
Very few RB's in the world better than Finnan? I think you are slightly overrating him just a bit there. :rolleyes:

Anyway I'm delighted for Whelan, a lot of people dismissed him but he had 2 very good games for us, against Georgia I thought he was second only to Reid and against Monty I think he deserved his MOTM.

[bogwarrior]

There's very few right backs in the world that could displace Finnan. Stephen Kelly I'm pretty sure isn't one of them. :rolleyes:


Am I missing something here?! Are u actually saying steve finnan is one of the best right backs in world football?!? I love the roll of the eyes after the comment as if it is the most obvious thing in the whole world!

Ciaran ciaran ciaran... will you ever learn!:rolleyes::p

[Colbert Report]

I honestly don't think that Whelan is a very good player. If I were the manager of a Premiership team, I would totally pick Andy Reid over him in central midfield.

The difference is that this is international football - Trapattoni is trying to get us to play a very simple 4-4-2 system. The two central midfielders (Steven Reid and Glenn Whelan in this case) sit right on top of the two central defenders and break up play. We're not going balls to the wall and risking getting caught on the counter-attack by anyone. This is the reason that under Trap I don't think we'll score very many goals but any goal we concede will have to be well-earned, as they must break down nine players including the keeper to score.

Lee Carsley would definitely go in ahead of Whelan in this system. From what I've seen, Whelan is a very limited player suited excellently to our current system. He is not suited to a system of a Premiership team, although I think Stoke could well take a page from Trap's book when it comes to putting men behind the ball, or else it will be a short season for them this year.

The fact that he started Whelan against the weaker teams in our group says to me that is Carsley isn't fit, he'll likely stick with Whelan over more creative, attacking players like Andy Reid and Stephen Ireland.

[drummerboy]

I honestly don't think that Whelan is a very good player. If I were the manager of a Premiership team, I would totally pick Andy Reid over him in central midfield.

The difference is that this is international football - Trapattoni is trying to get us to play a very simple 4-4-2 system. The two central midfielders (Steven Reid and Glenn Whelan in this case) sit right on top of the two central defenders and break up play. We're not going balls to the wall and risking getting caught on the counter-attack by anyone. This is the reason that under Trap I don't think we'll score very many goals but any goal we concede will have to be well-earned, as they must break down nine players including the keeper to score.

Lee Carsley would definitely go in ahead of Whelan in this system. From what I've seen, Whelan is a very limited player suited excellently to our current system. He is not suited to a system of a Premiership team, although I think Stoke could well take a page from Trap's book when it comes to putting men behind the ball, or else it will be a short season for them this year.

The fact that he started Whelan against the weaker teams in our group says to me that is Carsley isn't fit, he'll likely stick with Whelan over more creative, attacking players like Andy Reid and Stephen Ireland.

Stephen Ireland doesn't play for Ireland anymore!

[Colbert Report]

Stephen Ireland doesn't play for Ireland anymore!

Ah but he will again in the future. If Roy came back then Stephen Ireland will be back.

[tetsujin1979]

I honestly don't think that Whelan is a very good player. If I were the manager of a Premiership team, I would totally pick Andy Reid over him in central midfield.That's not a very fair comparison. You're not comparing like with like there, it's like comparing Scholes to Hargreaves, or Elano to Hamann. Andy Reid and Glenn Whelan have very different roles, just in the same position on the pitch. Trapattoni clearly thinks that controlling the center of the park with Steven Reid and Whelan offers more to the team than the creativity offered by Andy Reid + AN Other.

[Colbert Report]

You need to read my entire post. I completely agree with you and posted my reasons why. I wrote that while Reid is a far superior player, Whelan fits better into the system we are playing under Trapattoni.

[Diarmo]

Ah but he will again in the future. If Roy came back then Stephen Ireland will be back.

Amazing logic. However, i really think that Whelan will prove to be a big player for us in the Holland-Kinsella type mold that we need at the moment. Andy Reid can come in as cover.

it is nice to have a central midfield that receive the ball, and pass it too.

[tetsujin1979]

You need to read my entire post. I completely agree with you and posted my reasons why. I wrote that while Reid is a far superior player, Whelan fits better into the system we are playing under Trapattoni.
read it again, I got the wrong end of the stick.

[OwlsFan]

I see he scored in the penalty shoot out last night. Not sure though whether he started. Probably did as he got booked in the first half.

[Thebolg]

Remeber how we all praised Paul McShane as the new shining light potential after a couple of good performances. i have to say i have been really impressed with Glenn and absolutely delighted with the strength of our cetral midfield over the first two games. however if Stephen Reid hadnt played out of his skin Whelan may have been more exposed. i will reserve judgement for the time being but i hope and pray he can continue to do a job for us in the midfield. we sorely need the stability in that area of the park which we showed in the last two games.

[irishultra]

That's not a very fair comparison. You're not comparing like with like there, it's like comparing Scholes to Hargreaves, or Elano to Hamann. Andy Reid and Glenn Whelan have very different roles, just in the same position on the pitch. Trapattoni clearly thinks that controlling the center of the park with Steven Reid and Whelan offers more to the team than the creativity offered by Andy Reid + AN Other.

ironically enough its elano who now occuppies Hamman's position as DM. Apparently he plays there for Brazil, when he plays.

[Closed Account]

ironically enough its elano who now occuppies Hamman's position as DM. Apparently he plays there for Brazil, when he plays.Off topic, but Kompany now fills the Hamann Role with Ireland and Elano either side of him, Robinho, W-Phillips and Joe up front, similiar to Chelsea.

We could try this formation but it would require dropping either Keane or Doyle, playing Duff and McGeady up front, Whelan holding, with Reid and Reid either side of him.

[gustavo]

Off topic, but Kompany now fills the Hamann Role with Ireland and Elano either side of him, Robinho, W-Phillips and Joe up front, similiar to Chelsea.

We could try this formation but it would require dropping either Keane or Doyle, playing Duff and McGeady up front, Whelan holding, with Reid and Reid either side of him.
Or you could have Doyle on one side Duff/McGeady on the other and Keane through the middle

[paul_oshea]

is that what they call a 4-3-3?