Wes Hoolahan (M Cambridge Utd b.1982)

[SkStu]

Subbed off at HT. Norwich were atrocious but he was at the heart of anything they did well.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Familiar pattern. Out of the team. Reinstated after myriad atrocious performances and results. Performances and results improve. Scapegoated and dropped as soon as they get a bad result. Poor performances and results continue. Reinstated. Rise in performances. Dropped after bad result. Rinse and repeat.

The guy is walking a tightrope every time he plays for that club.

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't think he's been scapegoated but it's pretty clear his face doesn't fit with Hughton. He's probably about 8 inches too short and four stone too light, and he scores too many goals for a Norwich forward.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/republic-of-ireland/news/oneill-hails-excellent-hoolahan_156814.html

O'Neill praises MOTM Hoolahan.

http://www.norwich.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=359834

Possible Leicester and Aston Villa target Hoolahan hands in another transfer request. *This may not have happened*

http://www.thescore.ie/wes-hoolahan-turkey-ireland-1484911-May2014/

Hoolahan speaks on transfer rumours.

[Charlie Darwin]

I wonder if the "big boots" comment is a bit of a hint that he needs to work on his strength in possession. No idea if he's handed in a transfer request but the manager clearly doesn't rate him so he'd be a fool to hang around, especially as he wanted to leave when they were still in the Premier.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Gary-Silke-column-Leicester-City-transfer-rumours/story-21164706-detail/story.html

"Wes Hoolahan – Norwich's talented attacking midfielder is a signing that would make good sense if City are looking at using a lone striker system next season.

The Irish international suspects his appearances under Neil Adams would be limited and Leicester could offer him Premier League football. He has a decent scoring rate and a delightful touch which has lit up many a Match of the Day, just as you are starting to drift off when Norwich come on near the end."

[Olé Olé]

Villa, who bidded for Wes Hoolahan in January, have signed Joe Cole on a free.

I'm not quite sure if Paul Lambert has noticed, but Cole hasn't done much at his boyhood club with whom he first rose to prominence, West Ham. If he couldn't perform at West Ham, I'm not sure what impact Lambert expects him to have at Villa.

Cole said something to the effect that he's less worried about wages at this stage of his career. I'd still imagine a modest salary to Cole would be a damn sight more than what Wes is earning at Norwich at present, even if a fee were to be involved for Wes.

[gastric]

Wes seems to be impressing Adams and from this report and Pilkington is going okay too in the preseason games. Hopefully both will be regular starters come the season proper.

http://www.pinkun.com/norwich-city/video_goals_galore_for_norwich_city_but_neil_adams _will_want_more_1_3692482

[BonnieShels]

Still would rather him move on at this stage.

[gastric]

It looks like Hoolahan will stay at Norwich and sign a new two year contract.

http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city-fc/rumour_mill_norwich_city_s_wes_hoolahan_poised_to_ sign_a_new_deal_as_ricky_van_wolfswinkel_prepares_ to_wave_goodbye_1_3713445

[Charlie Darwin]

New two year deal for Wes: http://www.canaries.co.uk/news/article/wes-hoolahan-signs-new-norwich-city-contract-1811043.aspx

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

So if Norwich get promoted, he will go back to being a marginalised figure.

It's already being strongly hinted several times that the club didn't see him as being a PL player, even though the one season they marginalise him, they get relegated strangely enough. Go figure.

[paul_oshea]

Nathan Redmond linked with Stoke, i wonder is he one of the players Mon was on about. If he goes to stoke would increase the "Irish" contingent.

Connor Wickham linked with West Ham. Is he still eligible, think its fairly obvious he won't be getting an England call up.

[dr_peepee]

Wickham is still only 21. Finished the season very well last year. I wouldn't write him off making the England squad.... Is he eligible for us??

[paul_oshea]

He did and they lack and out and out striker but i think for the moment sterling/sturridge/rooney and welbeck are the 4 from 2/3 options. He is well down the pecking order for a few years, unless he has a great season next year.

I'm assuming he is, his first name is more than obvious even if spent with a double n ; )

[Olé Olé]

Wickham is still only 21. Finished the season very well last year. I wouldn't write him off making the England squad.... Is he eligible for us??

His father is from the North but was or is in the British army so I would imagine that he'd be more disposed to playing for NI if he doesn't attain his England ambitions.

[Fixer82]

Yes he's very proud of the British Troops so can't imagine he would have a huge affinity with the Republic / the fans would have a huge affinity with him

[Charlie Darwin]

I doubt that would really come into it. If he decides he no longer has a chance with England and wants to play for another country for which he's eligible, I'd imagine he'll choose for practical reasons, ie whoever either wanted him more or who he feels he has the best chance of achieving his goals.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

An average English footballer, whose only roots to Ireland is an English father stationed in NI as a soldier, who has categorically stated that he has no interest in playing for Ireland on the thread of a very talented Irish footballer who dreamed of playing for Ireland ever since he was a child and only got a chance to do so, for all intents and purposes, at age 30.

Jesus we have no standards.

[paul_oshea]

TOWK, i couldnt find a nathan redmond or norwich thread, my search capabilities only go as far as page 2 of returned results.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Never mind me. I'm in an even more contrary mood than I usually am because I just found out about Robin Williams.

[DannyInvincible]

An average English footballer, whose only roots to Ireland is an English father stationed in NI as a soldier, who has categorically stated that he has no interest in playing for Ireland on the thread of a very talented Irish footballer who dreamed of playing for Ireland ever since he was a child and only got a chance to do so, for all intents and purposes, at age 30.

Jesus we have no standards.

His father, Stefan, isn't English; he's from the north. Anyhow, nobody's been pushing for Wickham's inclusion - POS just made a query - nor have the FAI been chasing after him, so I don't see why you think the last few posts are in any way indicative of our "standards".

[paul_oshea]

I think everyone woke up this morning a bit shocked*. Hopefully the good that can come out of this is that people seek help when they see someone like Robin Williams suffering. I suppose the character and being in character meant he was able to hide it, but then the depths of low occurred when out of character. Truely alone.

*Everyone but me, as i had read it last night.

I've always believed that gambling/addiction of any sort drugs/drink/strange fetishes are a form of depression just the escape mechanism is different.

Reminds me of that Richard Kuklinski thing, I believed watching him that he was lying about most of his mafia boasts, yet the phsychologist, a renowned one I might add fed his narcisstic imagination - later i found out through google that the stories had been taken from media, when infact what really happened was found out in the courts and the pictures he painted were wholly incorrect, even the turncoats and informers denied him.

[DannyInvincible]

I think everyone woke up this morning a bit shocked*. Hopefully the good that can come out of this is that people seek help when they see someone like Robin Williams suffering. I suppose the character and being in character meant he was able to hide it, but then the depths of low occurred when out of character. Truely alone.

*Everyone but me, as i had read it last night.

In spite of the sombre subject matter, I have to admit that made me laugh. You truly are the king of self-parody, Paul. :)

[Charlie Darwin]

Indeed, Paul is never shocked by these things as he predicted years ago that everybody will die eventually.

[paul_oshea]

I did better than that I gave a clear time line.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Piece on Wes from today's Independent.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/european-championships/late-bloomer-wes-hoolahan-making-up-for-lost-time-30566191.html

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Interview with Wes.

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/wes-hoolahan-interview-ireland-norwich-1714639-Oct2014/

Playing on the left side doesn't augur well if Norwich get promoted does it. They aren't going to play him in the hole (that's clear) and they won't play him on the left when their in the PL.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I love how Martin says that Hoolahan is unlikely to play against Germany because he's more important for the home games when we try to score goals.

What is the point of keeping up this pretense of selecting Hoolahan and pretending that he's ever going to have a tangible role in the team?

It will be the same old story against Poland and Germany at the Aviva. On the bench.

[Stuttgart88]

Football managers work in cliches these days. Hoolahan being a home game player is a cliche. Not a very informative cliche.

[Kingdom]

He was a joy to watch tonight. If we're to have a chance on Tuesday of keeping the ball, he's got to start.

[OwlsFan]

I love how Martin says that Hoolahan is unlikely to play against Germany because he's more important for the home games when we try to score goals.

What is the point of keeping up this pretense of selecting Hoolahan and pretending that he's ever going to have a tangible role in the team? .

Is that not a "tangible role" to unlock defences at home? It was singularly lacking under Trap at home where we really struggled to break down teams. If he does nothing else but help us win our home games, I'd be happy with that tangible role.

One thing puzzles me though. Why does every manager substitute him after about 70 minutes? To my untrained eye he still seems to be buzzing and getting on the ball but without fail, the board goes up and off comes Wes. Bizarre. He must be the most substituted player in history.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Hoolahan's a doubt for the Scotland game.

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/norwich-await-results-of-wes-hoolahan-scan-1.1969066

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Back on the bench today.

[DeLorean]

Came on an assisted Norwich's fifth.

[DeLorean]

The curious case of Wes Hoolahan (http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/the-curious-case-of-irelands-wes-hoolahan-308975.html)

[Stuttgart88]

The curious case of Wes Hoolahan (http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/the-curious-case-of-irelands-wes-hoolahan-308975.html)
...which might all be very true, but only as true as the fact that whenever he plays for us he brings good things to the table, almost always.

If club form or reputation was ever a reliable guide players like Kenny Cunningham and Sledge might never have been capped.

[eitoof]

...which might all be very true, but only as true as the fact that whenever he plays for us he brings good things to the table, almost always.

If club form or reputation was ever a reliable guide players like Kenny Cunningham and Sledge might never have been capped.

Can't believe he's 32!

[DeLorean]

Hoolahan started the East Anglian derby today as Norwich beat Ipswich 2-0 to move within three points of leaders Derby. It was their sixth successive win. Hoolahan was heavily involved in the first goal with a really classy turn around midfield before playing a one-two and feeding Grabban to cross into the box. I think it was his ball over the top that assisted the assist for the second goal also.

[Lukenho]

Hoolahan has been in good form recently, constantly involved in Norwich's build up and seems to be involved in most of the goals as well when he is on the pitch. hope martin is keeping his eye on this cause we need all our form players playing

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Good to see that Neil is showing more trust in him than his predecessors and it's paying off in spades. Hopefully he can stay fit.

[SkStu]

<MOD EDIT> infraction awarded for unacceptable language

[KK77]

32 but I suppose he was around the LOI for a long time. Heard he never really looked after himself so maybe that's why the break never came earlier.

[Charlie Darwin]

Hoolahan gets Norwich's fourth at Millwall and puts the final nail in Ian Holloway's coffin.

[Charlie Darwin]

Goal for super sub Wes pulls Norwich level in Huddersfield.

[DeLorean]

Inexplicably left out of the starting line-up after running the show against Derby on Saturday. Came on after 62 minutes with Norwich losing to Huddersfield and has just equalised after 67 minutes.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I think this manager values him more than Hughton & Adams. The only times he doesn't start are when they play twice in a week.

[DeLorean]

Oh yeah he's definitely getting more of a look in. He should be well enough rested at this stage to manage two games a week though.

[OwlsFan]

I think this manager values him more than Hughton & Adams. The only times he doesn't start are when they play twice in a week.

It's something I never quite understand re managers' treatment of Hoolahan. Does he have some sort of fitness issue? He is perpetually subbed and now rested for a midweek game. To my untutored eye he still seems to be going strong when the hook comes out and he is dragged in.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

3 in 4 games for Hoolahan as he comes into peak form at the right time for club and country; assist too.