Wes Hoolahan (M Cambridge Utd b.1982)

[Crosby87]

Has anybody bothered checking Norwich forums or know how the locals feel about Hoolahan's exclusion? green tilted glasses or otherwise

http://services.pinkun.com/forums/pinkun/cs/forums/5/3033673/ShowPost.aspx#3033673

and prawn flavored potato chips? Eww.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

They score more with Hoolahan in the team than they do without him; and I don't think their form without him is enough to vindicate ostracising him from the team. Hughton doesn't use him whether they are holding on to a lead, going for a winner or looking for a goal. Sometimes he doesn't even get on the bench. He clearly doesn't fancy him and it's a reflection of just how good Hoolahan was last season that even Hughton couldn't justify not playing him.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Hoolahan starts for Norwich today.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://feed2all.eu/watch/229585/2/watch-norwich-city-vs-manchester-united.html

If anyone is inclined.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

He's very busy. Nice one-two with Johnson on the edge of the box, found space and had a decent shot blocked by Carrick. One of several chances he's had.

Commentators are bemused as to why he's been on the periphery this season.

[tricky_colour]

Seemed to have a good game, almost got a goal, I was impressed with how he could hold up the ball surrounded by Man U players.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

The way he moves with the ball is something else; it's like he hovers.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city-fc/norwich_city_boss_chris_hughton_scotches_talk_of_j anuary_exits_for_his_stars_1_3160540

Hughton dismisses talk of Hoolahan and Pilkington moving in January.

[Crosby87]

Easy, Kid.

[Charlie Darwin]

Villa have reportedly bid £1.5 million for Hoolahan: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/aston-villa-transfer-news-wes-2985369

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Wes isn't in the squad for the game today.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city-fc/norwich_city_boss_chris_hughton_denies_wes_hoolaha n_s_fa_cup_absence_was_due_to_aston_villa_bid_1_31 76703

Hoolahan reports an unspecified injury on eve of cup tie; Hughton denies any knowledge of alleged bid from Aston Villa.

[the doc]

http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city-fc/norwich_city_boss_chris_hughton_denies_wes_hoolaha n_s_fa_cup_absence_was_due_to_aston_villa_bid_1_31 76703

Hoolahan reports an unspecified injury on eve of cup tie; Hughton denies any knowledge of alleged bid from Aston Villa.

Not long before Hooly gets injured in training if he goes to Villa!

[tricky_colour]

£1.5m is hardly a kings ransom.

Given clubs often play their second string in club matches I saw his absence from the team as something rather positive
however if he is injured that's a different matter.

A move would see him more up in the league table, if a move will see him starting more games it's a good thing.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-latest-pursuit-norwich-6468991

Lambert confirms interest in Hoolahan.

[tricky_colour]

Oh I have just twigged )I'm slow!!) that if he played he would be cup tied, something which would reduce his transfer value,
so that seem to indicate he well make the move to Villa perhaps?

[the doc]

Clark injures another team
mate, puts Kozak out with a broken leg after a bad challenge in training.

[Charlie Darwin]

It's a good thing you don't play in the Premier League Sean or you might be in danger too :)

[tetsujin1979]

Hoolahan might not play for Norwich again according to the Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/norwich-city/10556729/Wes-Hoolahan-keen-to-join-former-manager-Paul-Lambert-at-Aston-Villa-after-handing-in-transfer-request.html

[Charlie Darwin]

Really poor form from Hoolahan if he's saying he'll never play for them again. He's close to legendary status at Norwich, being the only player along with Martin who was with them in League One, and moving to play for Lambert would be rub salt in the wound. I really hope he's not refusing to play.

[tricky_colour]

Don't think you can blame Wes for wanting to play first team football and he does not seem to
be getting much of at that at Norwich, whether he gets it at Villa of course remains to be seen
but they certainly seem more interested in him than Norwich.

Given that it would seem an easy transfer for all involved, why would Villa hold onto a player they rarely
play and who seems to believe he will never play for them again?

[Charlie Darwin]

It's interesting that Hoolahan has received a lot more game time as the window approaches.

As for Given, Middlesbrough have a lot of money. Not many teams in the Championship could afford to subsidise his wages at Villa. Not many Premier League clubs could afford to have him on the bench.

[Crosby87]

Charlie there is an article in the January Esquire magazine about Irish Whiskey. I was surprised it noted that of all the various brands, there are currently only 4 distilleries in all of Ireland. (Including I believe the North.) Am I naive to think that every separately owned Brand would want their own distillery?

[BonnieShels]

Handed in transfer request today.

[tetsujin1979]

the plot thickens, Norwich reject the bid from Villa and say they will refuse any transfer request - http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/452564/EXCLUSIVE-Norwich-set-to-reject-Wes-Hoolahan-bid-from-Aston-Villa

[geysir]

Petty posture politics by Norwich.
It has the makings of a good move for Hoolahan, away from being used as a bit player by a manager who doesn't rate him, on a short end date contract to being with a manager who wants him in the first team and presumably a better last club - end of career - contract.

[tetsujin1979]

plot getting thicker and thicker, Norwich deny any player has requested a transfer: http://www.canaries.co.uk/news/article/transfer-statement-jan-14-1282107.aspx

[SwanVsDalton]

Norwich have a history of sticking their fingers in their ears. Dare say the prospect of selling to mortal nemesis Paul Lambert is the biggest problem.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Typical that when a player doesn't start and sometimes doesn't even make the bench, the club make it as hard as possible for him to leave when another manager actually wants him.

Wes is 31 and he is perfectly entitled to push that move through instead of being completely marginalised like he is now.

[DeLorean]

Villa are Norwich's relegation rivals and they might still see him as a useful option for their own side. It doesn't make any sense for them to boost one of their rivals chances. Nobody expects Chelsea to sell Mata to Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool, etc just because he's not getting his game at Stamford Bridge.

I would like to see Hoolahan get his move though obviously.

[geysir]

Villa are Norwich's relegation rivals and they might still see him as a useful option for their own side. It doesn't make any sense for them to boost one of their rivals chances. Nobody expects Chelsea to sell Mata to Arsenal, Man Utd, Liverpool, etc just because he's not getting his game at Stamford Bridge.

I would like to see Hoolahan get his move though obviously.
Nobody would expect Chelsea to loan out Mata to a rival club but Chelsea would have a lot less to say in the matter if they agree to a transfer request from Mata and a competing club makes a similar offer as a non competing club and also just happen to have more financial clout to offer Mata a 'respectable' contract.

The Norwich board's posturing is of no benefit to both Hughton & Wes and mistaken if they think it benefits the club. Bielsa cost Athletic Bilbao a good season and good cash with a similar emotionally retarded response, sidelining a disenchanted player who was looking to leave.

[DeLorean]

Ifs and buts regards Mata, but my point was that Chelsea are going to do as much as they can to engineer a result that suits them, similar to Man Utd the time Heinze wanted to go to Liverpool. Same with Norwich, and I think you're jumping to conclusions by suggesting their stance is emotionally retarded or even emotionally charged. It may or may not be. Hoolahan has been getting his game recently so it may be that he's simply a part of Norwich's plans. They're more than entitled to deny the transfer request and if Hoolahan acts unprofessionally as a result it would be him I'd think less of, not Norwich. I agree that nobody wants an unhappy player, but they have to weigh everything up and selling to a rival club is hardly ideal, particularly mid-season.

[geysir]

Ifs and buts regards Mata, but my point was that Chelsea are going to do as much as they can to engineer a result that suits them, similar to Man Utd the time Heinze wanted to go to Liverpool. Same with Norwich, and I think you're jumping to conclusions by suggesting their stance is emotionally retarded or even emotionally charged. It may or may not be. Hoolahan has been getting his game recently so it may be that he's simply a part of Norwich's plans. They're more than entitled to deny the transfer request and if Hoolahan acts unprofessionally as a result it would be him I'd think less of, not Norwich. I agree that nobody wants an unhappy player, but they have to weigh everything up and selling to a rival club is hardly ideal, particularly mid-season.
I wouldn't buy or repeat any rumours coming out of Norwich, especially those unsubbed rumours that attempt to portray the player in a poor light.
Does it serve any purpose to say how you would feel should some bizarre action come to light? :)

[tricky_colour]

I do tend to agree that the offer made was pretty derisory " £750,000 in immediate cash for the 31-year-old play-maker or £1million in instalments".
Maybe it is just a tactical offer and they will come in with a more realistic bid.
It needs to be sort out though, Hoolahan is too good not to be playing.

Here are the sky sports rating for their match v United

http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/287473/ratings

Easily best Norwich man on the pitch going by user rating, despite missing a chance.

I saw some of that game and he looked class, a different class to the Man U midfield,
he could suck half of their player in before laying the ball off. (note that is "in" not "off" ;))

He really needs to be playing at the top level, this situation is doing nobody any good.

[tricky_colour]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/9106657/transfer-news-norwich-say-wes-hoolahan-has-not-asked-to-leave-and-will-not-be-sold

The Republic of Ireland international was missing at the weekend as Norwich drew with Fulham in the third round of the FA Cup, but manager Chris Hughton said after the game his absence was down to injury.
"Wes at this moment is having treatment," he said. "There has been no bid that I am aware of, absolutely not."

[geysir]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/9106657/transfer-news-norwich-say-wes-hoolahan-has-not-asked-to-leave-and-will-not-be-sold

The Republic of Ireland international was missing at the weekend as Norwich drew with Fulham in the third round of the FA Cup, but manager Chris Hughton said after the game his absence was down to injury.
"Wes at this moment is having treatment," he said. "There has been no bid that I am aware of, absolutely not."
But to your knowledge Chris, is Wes a happy camper at Norwich?
Is Wes the subject of serious interest from another club?
Does Wes want to leave?
Would Wes be interested if another EPL club came with a serious offer of a contract?
Why has Wes been so sparingly used by you this season?
What's all this deciding to start Wes once interest from Villa was made public?
Is that not trying to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted?
Hey Chris, why don't you just let Wes go, why do you want to keep him in chains? Free Wes!

[tricky_colour]

But to your knowledge Chris, is Wes a happy camper at Norwich?
Is Wes the subject of serious interest from another club?
Does Wes want to leave?
Would Wes be interested if another EPL club came with a serious offer of a contract?
Why has Wes been so sparingly used by you this season?
What's all this deciding to start Wes once interest from Villa was made public?
Is that not trying to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted?
Hey Chris, why don't you just let Wes go, why do you want to keep him in chains? Free Wes!


Well it seems to be a bit of a complicated situation there and I am not sure we know the half of it.
There is I think a simple reason why they won't let him go and that is becauuse they like me think
the money offered is derisory.
I expect Lambert is trying to exploit the situation somewhat by getting Wes on the cheap.
I mean £750,000 for Wes? I'm no expect on transfer values but maybe Lambert will put in a £20m
bid for Gareth Bale?
The thing is no other Premiership club might come in for Wes.
It's kind of a low stakes game really, Norwich can afford to turn a bid like that down even if they end up getting nothing
for him. But it is hard to know what players go for these days as the values are rarely disclosed.


Some weird ratings here, Wes get more than any other Norwich player and better than half the Man U
team. Maybe they will put in a bid ;)

[Crosby87]

Free Willow Flood!

[Charlie Darwin]

I expect Lambert is trying to exploit the situation somewhat by getting Wes on the cheap.
I mean £750,000 for Wes?
Well if geysir's post is anything to go by, Wes should be free, so in reality he's overbidding by a full 750k.

[DeLorean]

Wes Hoolahan can solve Aston Villa's creativity woes, but his move could spell the end for Chris Hughton (http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/aston-villa-wes-hoolahan-transfer-3001526)

[geysir]

Well if geysir's post is anything to go by, Wes should be free, so in reality he's overbidding by a full 750k.
Not at all, sometimes a new master had to buy out the contract from the old master in order to get a release on the slave.
Compensation is the real sugar in society.

[Crosby87]

Someone saw that Tarantino movie.

[as_i_say]

First you get the sugar, then you get the power, then you get the woman.

[tricky_colour]

I use artificial sweeteners.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

We're hearing reports that Wigan Athletic striker Grant Holt will have a medical at Aston Villa on Tuesday ahead of a loan move to the Premier League club. Holt only joined Wigan last summer from Norwich City and he played under Villa boss Paul Lambert at Carrow Road.

http://www1.skysports.com/transfer-centre/

Could Wes be reuniting with Holt at Villa? They went together like peanut butter and jelly at Norwich.

[back of the net]

We're hearing reports that Wigan Athletic striker Grant Holt will have a medical at Aston Villa on Tuesday ahead of a loan move to the Premier League club. Holt only joined Wigan last summer from Norwich City and he played under Villa boss Paul Lambert at Carrow Road.

http://www1.skysports.com/transfer-centre/

Could Wes be reuniting with Holt at Villa? They went together like peanut butter and jelly at Norwich.



Re-uniting on the bench maybe.......cant see a 32 yr old Holt getting much game time ahead of a fit Benteke and Agbonlahor

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Hoolahan has got to try and force a move through or hope to God that that cowboy Hughton gets sacked very soon. Tettey, Howson and Pilkington out injured and he can't even get off the bench. It's a shocking way to treat someone who has served the club so well, even in recent games against Palace and Man Utd.

He has no future at Norwich under the present regime. The reason he'll end up staying is because Hughton doesn't want to rock the boat with the fans any more than he already has and because of some petty rivalry between the clubs at board level after Lambert's acrimonious exit.

They can't haggle on price. The lad turns 32 in the summer, has been barely used all season and they paid frig all for him to begin with.

For God's sake let Wes go. He deserves to be playing football at this level for the next two years after helping Norwich to successive promotions and nailing down PL status. He ain't going to be getting it under Hughton at Norwich.

[Stuttgart88]

There was a big love in here over the last few years between foot.ie and Hughton. I was always sceptical - since the Kerr days when I felt he was too compliant and sedate - but changed my mind a fair bit after some great Norwich performances last season. Now I'm firmly backing my original opinion. I just don't see anything in him other than a thoroughly decent bloke with a decent degree of coaching ability. Being nice doesn't get results (nor is it a criticism) nor does only being a decent coach.

Cue a super run of form for Norwich!

[back of the net]

Hoolahan has got to try and force a move through or hope to God that that cowboy Hughton gets sacked very soon.

Considering the length of time he spent at spurs and the high number of different spurs managers that kept him as a coach - i would think that there are quite alot of people in the game who think Hughton is anything but a cowboy.

Also considering he got Newcastle back to the premier league and is generally believed to have stabilised their very shaky regime at St James Park prior to his ludicrous dismissal by Mike Ashley along with getting the mess that was Birmingham City to the playoffs in the championship before keeping Norwich in the premiership last season, I fail to see how you came to the conclusion that Chris is a "Cowboy"

[tricky_colour]

Hoolahan has got to try and force a move through or hope to God that that cowboy Hughton gets sacked very soon. Tettey, Howson and Pilkington out injured and he can't even get off the bench. It's a shocking way to treat someone who has served the club so well, even in recent games against Palace and Man Utd.

He has no future at Norwich under the present regime. The reason he'll end up staying is because Hughton doesn't want to rock the boat with the fans any more than he already has and because of some petty rivalry between the clubs at board level after Lambert's acrimonious exit.

They can't haggle on price. The lad turns 32 in the summer, has been barely used all season and they paid frig all for him to begin with.

For God's sake let Wes go. He deserves to be playing football at this level for the next two years after helping Norwich to successive promotions and nailing down PL status. He ain't going to be getting it under Hughton at Norwich.

I would not read anything into the team selection for a cup match for a team in Norwich's position, ie hovering above
the relegation zone. A lot of managers would have selected their second string so being left out is not a bad thing.
However Hughton seems to have played close to his first team, so that does not seem to be the case.
But they were defeated 3-0, unflattering for those involved, perhaps.


Not too sure what to make of things really so will just have to see how thing pan out.