Wes Hoolahan (M Cambridge Utd b.1982)

[geysir]

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.
Both teams played their FA cup selection.
About 9 changes for Norwich from their standard EPL starting X1

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Wes has been out of the team all season and the only reason he got a run recently is because several midfielders were out injured and/or suspended. Norwich were a far better side and getting far better results with Wes in the side last season but disappointingly Hughton seems to want to make his own stamp on the team regardless of results and lack of creativity, even if it means getting the team relegated.

[back of the net]

Wes has been out of the team all season and the only reason he got a run recently is because several midfielders were out injured and/or suspended. Norwich were a far better side and getting far better results with Wes in the side last season but disappointingly Hughton seems to want to make his own stamp on the team regardless of results and lack of creativity, even if it means getting the team relegated.

And because Hughton wants to make his own stamp on his Norwich team (not the one that Lambert got promoted) , that makes him a cowboy?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

If his pride is getting in the way of common sense, then yes it does make him a cowboy.

Elmander is dross, Van Wolfswinkel and Hooper have struggled all season and Snodgrass is seemingly undroppable.

They are probably the least creative team in the League. Hughton has some cheek marginalising Hoolahan like this after he saved his job.

To think that he was left out of the squad altogether a couple of times this season. That is just disgraceful.

[tetsujin1979]

If his pride is getting in the way of common sense, then yes it does make him a cowboy.

Elmander is dross, Van Wolfswinkel and Hooper have struggled all season and Snodgrass is seemingly undroppable.

They are probably the least creative team in the League. Hughton has some cheek marginalising Hoolahan like this after he saved his job.

To think that he was left out of the squad altogether a couple of times this season. That is just disgraceful.
Snodgrass is undroppable because he creates more chances than the rest of the squad - 36 according to this: http://www.football365.com/f365-features/9098448/Premier-League-Numbers-And-Stats... - and more accurate crosses per game than any player in the Premier League - 2.7, from the same article - Norwich's problems lie elsewhere on the pitch

[DeLorean]

I can't understand why he Hoolahan doesn't start either but why would it have anything to do with Hughton's pride? He was a regular last season and he was dropped long before any of the recent Villa links.

Very harsh on Hooper. He has done as well as any forward playing for a bottom half side, better than the vast majority in fact. RVW hasn't hit the ground running but has had his injury troubles. If Benteke started his career at Villa the way he has played in the last few months he wouldn't be rated very highly either. Sometimes players take time to settle or just have a lean spell. Snodgrass being dropped would probably be just as mystifying as Hoolahan's exclusion given he's also been one of Norwich's best players over the last year or so.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Hoolahan has more assists than Snodgrass this season and he's only started half-a-dozen games.

There just seems to be a complete reticence to rotate in any way, shape or form and use Hoolahan, the same way there is a stubborn refusal to drop Snodgrass who has particularly struggled over the last several games. I just find it bizarre.

They got an impressive result against Everton on the opening day of the season with Hoolahan in the team and then he is completely marginalised, despite Van Wolfswinkel, Elmander, their other midfielders (and until recently) Hooper failing to score or make decent chances.

Hoolahan comes back and puts one on a plate for Hooper in his first game back - helping Hooper's confidence no end and is one of the best players on the park against Man Utd, yet it's back to square one.

Just frustrating how they won't let him go to Villa when it's blatantly obvious that he is unwanted by the manager and if they get 1 mil for him they should count themselves lucky. Why would a team offer any more for a player his age who has been completely pushed aside and made to look like a squad player?

[geysir]

Marginalising Wes in the team is very questionable,
but dropping Snodgrass would be insane, Hughton would end up as filler in one of Delia's pies.

[tricky_colour]

Both teams played their FA cup selection.
About 9 changes for Norwich from their standard EPL starting X1

Ah OK second massive blunder of the week from me them (match of the day think being the first).

I compared the team to their last match to see what changes there were, the penny has only just dropped
that too was an FA cup match, I do remember it being against Fulham too, which should have set alarm bells
in my head but didn't.

So, knowing that his non selection can be seen as positive?

[tricky_colour]

FA cup 11


13 Bunn
03 Whittaker
18 Garrido
04 Johnson
02 Martin
05 Bassong Nguena
22 Redmond (van Wolfswinkel - 45' )
25 Fox
16 Elmander (Becchio - 68' )
07 Snodgrass
31 Murphy


League 11


01 Ruddy *
03 Whittaker
23 Olsson *
10 Fer *
24 R Bennett Booked *
05 Bassong Nguena Booked
07 Snodgrass
04 Johnson
11 Hooper *
09 van Wolfswinkel (Murphy - 88' )
18 Garrido (Redmond - 66' )




OK so there is my point the *'ed players didn't play in the FA cup, does that mean they are out of favour?

You can't draw a negative conclusion from Wes being left out of the FA cup starting 11,
you can argue he is being saved for the 'big games'

But we will have to wit and see as we don't have enough info to draw a conclusion yet.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Consensus seems to be that Wes will leave but possibly as late as Deadline Day.

[tricky_colour]

No Villa bid for Steven Defour as Paul Lambert admits Wes Hoolahan pursuit is failing
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2014/01/17/no-villa-bid-for-steven-defour-as-paul-lambert-admits-wes-hoolahan-pursuit-is-failing/

[DeLorean]

Villa's game at Anfield the other day really emphasised how much they could use Hoolahan. When Agbonlahor got injured they were pretty much forced to bring on Grant Holt. They were left with two target men and nobody to really feed them or make Liverpool think.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/9127524/transfer-news-norwich-city-reject-wes-hoolahan-request

Hoolahan is desperate to leave.

[tricky_colour]

Seems a pretty ridiculous situation there at Norwich.
If he wants to leave they should sell him, what do they gain by keeping him there?
I don't see how they can play him now so they are basically paying him to do nothing
and the money they can get for him will drop to zero if he goes out of contract?
However it does seem to a decision made by "the board", so not sure if Hughton agrees with it.
Seems Norwich have more money than sense.

[Stuttgart88]

Maybe the board thinks a new boss would want Hoolahan, so it's the writing on the wall for Hughton?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Maybe the board thinks a new boss would want Hoolahan, so it's the writing on the wall for Hughton?

There is a school of thought on the Norwich and Aston Villa boards that Norwich are trying to portray Hoolahan as the bad guy to justify the sale in the eyes of the fans.

Frankly, I think he is staying put.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11709/9129626/transfer-news-wes-hoolahan-confirms-he-wants-to-leave-norwich-for-aston-villa

Hoolahan reiterates his desire to leave Norwich.

Don't know why Norwich are digging their heels in. They would be making a decent profit on a soon to be 31 year old player that hasn't even featured in match day squads several times this season. It's actually quite pathetic. Football is a business. Lambert left the club. He's not a fan. They should build a bridge and get over it for ffs.

[dr_peepee]

Unfortunately, Norwich hold all the cards here. If I was in charge of Norwich I would take their stance. He's too old to scare them into worrying about him moving for nothing next year. He's more than repaid his transfer fee and any investment in him. Any fee they would get now is pittance in the big scheme of premiership survival. They've little to loose and everything to gain by keeping him. His best chance of a move would be abroad or Championship, with the transfer completed in time for them to find a replacement. Not likely, I would think.... I hope he moves but can't see it.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city-fc/paddy_davitt_brinkmanship_is_not_a_winning_formula _in_wes_hoolahan_s_norwich_city_exit_strategy_1_32 36241

"Wes Hoolahan’s Norwich City career deserves so much more than a sour epitaph."

Decent article.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city-fc/chris_hughton_wes_hoolahan_has_got_the_message_at_ norwich_city_1_3255199

Wes is staying put because the bid is not "acceptable" and they are worried over fan reaction not because he is integral to their team.

Once again, Hughton is reluctant to offer any semblance of praise or reassurances to Hoolahan, once again simply saying that he is a member of their squad along with "Jacob and Josh Murphy".

He has also hinted that he won't be involved for the midweek game.

Feel sorry for Wes. He'll be lucky to get a place on the bench in the second-half of the season. Disastrous situation at this juncture of his career.

[Olé Olé]

http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city-fc/chris_hughton_wes_hoolahan_has_got_the_message_at_ norwich_city_1_3255199

Wes is staying put because the bid is not "acceptable" and they are worried over fan reaction not because he is integral to their team.

Once again, Hughton is reluctant to offer any semblance of praise or reassurances to Hoolahan, once again simply saying that he is a member of their squad along with "Jacob and Josh Murphy".

He has also hinted that he won't be involved for the midweek game.

Feel sorry for Wes. He'll be lucky to get a place on the bench in the second-half of the season. Disastrous situation at this juncture of his career.

This is tragic stuff. Behind all the flexing of muscles and posturing that Norwich are doing, there remains a talented player who has spent long enough in his career waiting for the chance to play at the highest level. Now, all he wants to do is keep playing as much football at the highest level as he can and the chance to join Villa is being denied.

If it were a case that Hoolahan was integral to the Norwich side and deemed invaluable by their management then it'd be completely fair of them to say 'tough ****, Wes- you signed your contract and we're still paying your wages.' That's not the case, however, and I think Wes has more class than to angle for a move if that were the case. It appears to me that Wes requested a transfer because it was his last resort to get more football under his belt as clock ticks on his career.

[DeLorean]

This could just be one of those sagas that will reach a satisfactory conclusion on deadline day. No need for panic just yet.... fingers crossed.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.edp24.co.uk/norfolk-life/opinion_an_ode_to_norwich_city_s_wing_wizard_wes_h oolahan_1_3257956

Good read.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Wes called Norwich "f***ing ****" off the mic after bumping into Norwich City reporter Kate Riley.

Lad is extremely unhappy. Can't say I blame him.

[paul_oshea]

"At this moment, Wes is very much a Norwich player "

SOunds like Chris might have a softening to letting him go. Whoever mentioned that it might be orchestrated to keep Norwich and Hughton looking good might be correct. Lets hope he can get the move away.

[tricky_colour]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/norwich-to-investigate-wes-hoolahan-comments-29965426.html

30 January 2014

Norwich manager Chris Hughton (http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Chris_Hughton) will investigate reports wantaway midfielder Wes Hoolahan made derogatory remarks about the Norfolk club ahead of a media conference on Thursday afternoon.


Not sure what he is going to investigate.

Does he expect Wes to be happy with the situation? If he does he is nuts.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

What about the inappropriate comments made about keeping Hoolahan because of negative fan reaction and refusing to do business with another football club out of spite.

32 in the summer, Villa's offer of 1-1.5 m is more than sufficient and Norwich still make a decent profit. He has made about half-a-dozen starts and sometimes hasn't even made the bench. I just don't see the sense in keeping a player who is clearly unwanted by the manager.

Hoolahan has put in a transfer request. He doesn't want to be anywhere near the club and quite understandably because Hughton and Norwich are treating him like manure.

Norwich's stance is really becoming quite provocative.

I can see two options. Hoolahan signs for Villa at 10:45 on Deadline Day or he trains with the youth team for the remainder of the season and leaves in the summer.

The present situation is not sustainable.

[Stuttgart88]

There's nothing to investigate. Hoolahan is entitled to be upset and I don't think anyone associated with Norwich would disagree.

I hope he gets his move.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

A television crew at the club’s Colney training ground then jokingly asked Hoolahan: “Are you going to be clearing your locker out?”

But they and other watching journalists were shocked when the 31-year-old replied: “I hope so. This is a f***ing s***house club.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/norwich-aston-villa-transfers-wes-3095039#.UurnkrTS1ko

[Charlie Darwin]

I knew there was something off about the initial quote. ****ing ****house sounds a lot more like something Wes would say.

[Charlie Darwin]

A second Premier League club in for Wes:

Sky Sports sources understand that another, as yet unnamed Premier League club, have made a bid for Norwich City playmaker Wes Hoolahan. Aston Villa had been interested in Hoolahan, but it is not Paul Lambert's side who have made the latest approach.

[Charlie Darwin]

Loan offer from West Brom apparently. I wonder if they might go for it just to not let Lambert have him, although it would be silly for Norwich to let him go to a relegation rival.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://metro.co.uk/2014/01/31/wes-hoolahan-to-west-brom-norwich-citys-winter-saga-rolls-on-as-aston-villa-remain-keen-4285791/

4th bid turned down.

If he isn't a Norwich player after 11pm then I am 7 ft. tall and Spanish.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

A couple of journalists pouring scorn on the latest Hoolahan rumours..

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

The latest is supposedly that Norwich are now screwing Wes out of a loan move to West Brom.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

For all the talk of Norwich not allowing Hoolahan to leave until they find a suitable replacement, they haven't being linked with a single midfield player today. Every other bottom-half team has been linked with loads.

Really peculiar situation. Can't see Hoolahan making the squad when all their midfielders are fit, let alone after his "s***house comments. I take it they would rather pay his wages and have him train with the youth team than sell him to a relegation rival even if it potentially wrecks his career trajectory.

What a way to treat a loyal servant.

I really can not believe that Aston Villa are the only team to declare a firm interest either. Another Irish player caught between the rock of not being British enough and therefore worth an extra 5m on top of their true worth and the hard place of not being exotic enough of a foreigner.

[tricky_colour]

Seems a crazy situation. Neither side gains from the status quo as far as I can see.

Let's hope Barcelona make a late £30m bid :)

I bet Alan's lines have been buzzing all day

http://www.vodprofessional.com/media/25307/alan_patridge.jpg

[Crosby87]

Wes to Denver Broncos for Peyton Manning.

[Charlie Darwin]

So... Andy Reid for Ireland. I wonder if Wes will agitate for a loan to the Championship now or accept his lot and try and get back into Hughton's plans. One suspects Hughton may have to turn to him in desperation given how awful van Wolfwinkel and Elmander have been.

[Crosby87]

Hughton turns to no man in desperation, Charlie, much like yourself. And Churchill.

[tricky_colour]

So... Andy Reid for Ireland. I wonder if Wes will agitate for a loan to the Championship now or accept his lot and try and get back into Hughton's plans. One suspects Hughton may have to turn to him in desperation given how awful van Wolfwinkel and Elmander have been.

Well he needs to be playing competitive football that is for sure, it is not in the interests of him or the club that he isn't.

[SkStu]

So... Andy Reid for Ireland. I wonder if Wes will agitate for a loan to the Championship now or accept his lot and try and get back into Hughton's plans. One suspects Hughton may have to turn to him in desperation given how awful van Wolfwinkel and Elmander have been.

WTF was Hughton playing at signing Johan Elmander. Useless lump of a player. Explains his treatment of Wes a bit.

[Charlie Darwin]

If you want a solid 1 goal every 5 games striker, he's your man. If you want to not get relegated, I suppose you should hope he's playing for a new contract. I suppose Norwich's mistake was given him longer than a year.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/26018227

Hughton encourages Hoolahan to "knuckle down".

I think the only way Hoolahan gets any first team football in the second half of the season is if Norwich go on a losing run, and fast.

There is no way back under Hughton now imo.

A new Norwich manager would be a great thing for Wes and Ireland.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/hoolahan-is-staying-put-29999665.html

Linked with loans to Forest and Reading after being connived out of a move in January.

[BonnieShels]

Forest works for us and me. :)

[Fixer82]

I don't know exactly what it is about Hughton but he always reminds me of this guy (http://hellogiggles.com/five-ways-breaking-bad-ruined-my-life/gustavo-fring)

[Fixer82]

http://foot.ie/webkit-fake-url://7340322C-DB41-4A68-95E7-E8B386DFE866/breaking-bad-5x04-lydia-cap-02_mid.jpg

[DeLorean]

Well he wasn't in Hughton's plans tonight anyway. Three subs made and Norwich down 1-0.