Wes Hoolahan (M Cambridge Utd b.1982)

[DeLorean]

Great little piece and interview with Wessi on Super Saturday. Stelling said he was one of his 'favourist players' although I suspect I missed a not so private joke. He also called him Hot Lips Hoolahan! Paul Merson made a good point in criticising Norwich for taking him off when they're winning as that's the time a game becomes stretched and he could pick a pass to finish the game. Phil Thompson concurred.

[Charlie Darwin]

Feck. He wasn't a like for like replacement but he did more than his contemporaries did in traps system, he proactively tried to break down opposition attacks by harrying and chomping and trying to get tackles in.
Thing was that wasn't Green's natural game, but he did it brilliantly. One of Trap's better judgements seeing he could do that job, even if the system he was working in was regressive.

[tetsujin1979]

Hoolahan's Short Turnaround - the last time Wes Hoolahan played two games in a such a short period: http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Blog?id=6795200050165686179

[Fizzer]

I just can't help thinking that he'll be central to our prospects for qualification.
His fearlessness in possession reminds me of duffer in his pomp,taking the ball out of our box at his feet and winning a free/setting up a chance and hopefully this permeates his teamates minds to give them the confidence to play likewise.without fear.i think the key to winning against bosnia will be possession,if they have enough ball they'll eventually get quality to dzeko,but if we're brave and we starve them possession and make them chase it and foul us...then we'll win.i would love to see Wes at a major championship where a little streak of quality and form in a two week window gets you to a quarter/semi final.i just hope o'neill is brave enough to trust him to go for it.i'd love to see a diamond of mccarthy, with hendrick and coleman wide (christie at right back) and wes at the apex.

[gastric]

Don't get a chance these days to watch much football, but watched him against WBA at the weekend. I know I am repeating what has been said before, but Hoolahan continues to be so creative and brings other players into the game. Brady a the weekend was able to get forward a lot and dispatch crosses as Hoolahan draws him into the game with deft touches and passes. Pity he is getting on and has been previously mentioned he is integral to our success in the play offs. It was good to read that Carsley thinks Judge is the young Wessi, he will be hard to replace when he retires. So good is Hoolahan to watch that if Norwich are playing I will find the time to view the game!

[zero]

Hoolahan's Short Turnaround - the last time Wes Hoolahan played two games in a such a short period: http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Blog?id=6795200050165686179

i've been thinking about this. do we expect wes to play both legs of the playoff? that's 2 pressure games in 4 days with a reasonable amount of travel in between. he'll likely have played for norwich on the 7th aswell.

and if we can reasonably only play him in one, then which?

my guess is he won't start in bosnia (cue 'dunphy on the warpath') - maybe come on with 20 to go. then start in dublin.

[Olé Olé]

Yeah, that's what I reckon too. O'Neill has been adverse, in the past, to playing Hoolahan in away fixtures. With what happened with Poland, I think O'Neill will take the opportunity to rest him for the home leg and maybe bring him on late enough in the second half of the away one.

I'd say we'll be playing for a draw away and hope to nick it at home.

Nice to see someone like McClean playing regularly and well. His stamina will be invaluable for the two legs. Walters would have been another but is suspended. Hopefully Long is recovered from injury too.

[geysir]

Wes is good but he's no Richie Towell. Richie wouldn't be grumbling about playing two games in a few days.

[Yard of Pace]

"You don't feel tired when you're winning, Bill. Don Revie used to say to us when I was at Leeds that etc. etc."

[Fixer82]

"You don't feel tired when you're winning, Bill. Don Revie used to say to us when I was at Leeds that etc. etc."

Billy Bremner etc etc

[DeLorean]

Hoolahan obviously deemed capable of playing 120mins all of a sudden as Norwich make their third substitution at the beginning of extra time. 1-1 at Goodison Park.

[paul_oshea]

McClean is a 20 minute man at the end of the game I don't care how good his stamina is he has shown time and again to be only effective coming off the bench with 20 to go.

[tricky_colour]

Hoolahan missed his peno then Redmond iirc, Everton through

[tetsujin1979]

Hoolahan obviously deemed capable of playing 120mins all of a sudden as Norwich make their third substitution at the beginning of extra time. 1-1 at Goodison Park.

Be interesting to see if he starts this weekend away to Manchester City

[DeLorean]

I'd be shocked if he does.

[DeLorean]

I doubt Hoolahan would start away to Manchester City regardless of tonight really. He even said himself that he accepts there'll be some games that Neil will feel he's less suitable for. If Anfield against a defensively vulnerable and offensively tame Liverpool side is deemed such a game, then it would seem inevitable that so too is the Etihad.

[tricky_colour]

So basically they think Wes can only play against carp team?
The idea seem to be is that he can't defend, however the best form of defence is attack.

Lets face it they will lose v Man City even if they go defensive they need to be positive
and stick Wes in and hope it does not go to penalties.

[DeLorean]

Yeah I totally agree, but that seems to be the thinking. I wouldn't necessarily say he'll only play against the crap teams though, but it seems that he'll be left out away to the perceived top teams anyway. They haven't played anybody of note at home yet, so it will be interesting to see if he plays in those games at least. The fact that they drew 1-1 at Anfield without him probably won't help his case, short term anyway.

[Kingdom]

There's two sides to every coin. Personally I'd prefer to see Wes in the side from the start if he's fit for the first leg. What's the point in keeping the powder dry when all manner of bad luck usually affects us.

Do we be attack minded in the away leg, or sit in for the draw? If we're attack minded, and there is no reason no to be, as they are not sound at the back, then he has to start. If we sit in for the draw, and as a result he doesn't start Wes, then we are more likely to cede possession, then it's going to be a long, and consequently a tiring night. That is what made the Germany performance so good. Sure we were under the cosh, but when we got the ball we looked like we wabted to be purposeful in possession, and Wes is/was central to that. Not having someone capable of retaining the ball in tight spaces will be a killer for us: however Gibson returning could be perfect timing.

I'd be ok with a triumvirate of McCarthy, Gibson and Whelan/Hendrick.

[jbyrne]

Do we be attack minded in the away leg, or sit in for the draw?

think we need an away goal. would settle for an away 1 all draw at this stage

[Kingdom]

I don't think we'll keep a clean sheet in either leg. so I'd be very happy with a 1-1 first leg.

[Charlie Darwin]

We're going to approach the away game like we approached Germany and Poland away and try to open up a bit in the home leg. The order of the ties gives us an advantage there, I think.

[DeLorean]

The fascinating story of Wes Hoolahan, Norwich City's longest-serving player. (http://mobile.canaries.co.uk/news/article/norwich-city-wes-hoolahan-2786739.aspx)

[Olé Olé]

The fascinating story of Wes Hoolahan, Norwich City's longest-serving player. (http://mobile.canaries.co.uk/news/article/norwich-city-wes-hoolahan-2786739.aspx)

That's a cracking read. Really in-depth and biographical in the space of a web article. Recommended to anyone with an interest in Wes and how his career has unfolded.

[DeLorean]

Hoolahan makes it 2-0. Brady & Wessi show.

Edit- might have to share that with Payet, goal and assist to make it 2-2!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

That’s enough negativity for now (we’ll have more later). It’s time to pay tribute to the forgotten men creating and converting goals at a healthy rate. All hail Norwich (http://fourfourtwo.com/norwich-city)’s Wes Hoolahan. The 33-year-old playmaker is enjoying an Indian summer ahead of his Irish summer at Euro 2016, racking up 11 goals and assists in comparatively little match time. His superb ratio of 134 MpGA matches that of the deservedly lauded Dimitri Payet. Even if you discount the penalty he scored against Liverpool (http://fourfourtwo.com/liverpool), Hoolahan is, on average, more efficient going forward than Philippe Coutinho, Ross Barkley, Sterling, Theo Walcott, Sanchez, Pedro, Oscar... we could go on.


http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-wes-hoolahan-more-effective-alexis-sanchez-and-11-other-interesting-stats#:PYAeeh_JtMjF3A

Hoolahan not in squad today.

[tricky_colour]

Was injured apparently.


Also
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/why-wes-hoolahan-more-effective-alexis-sanchez-and-11-other-interesting-stats#:kce-wKLXy6NiMA

Why Wes Hoolahan is more effective than Alexis Sanchez, and 11 other interesting stats

[DeLorean]

Hoolahan to consider his international future after the Euros. (http://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/everything-is-up-in-the-air-wes-hoolahan-to-decide-on-international-future-after-euros-34577570.html) It's a horrible thought that in a few months time we might not get to see him in an Irish shirt anymore. Damn you Trap for all that time wasted.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

It's a pity himself and Reid are the same age.

[triggsrevenge]

It's a pity himself and Reid are the same age.

it's a pity Reid has had such a long term injury, i'd imagine himself, with Reid coming on after 60 minutes (vice Versa) would've been a great option.

[seanfhear]

it's a pity Reid has had such a long term injury, i'd imagine himself, with Reid coming on after 60 minutes (vice Versa) would've been a great option.Would Alan Judge not fit that role at the moment .

[Stuttgart88]

I think both Judge and Arter can fill the advanced midfield role, in different ways.

[DeLorean]

Brian Kerr agrees (http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/brian-kerr-wes-hoolahan-s-creativity-fills-me-with-hope-for-the-summer-1.2591480)

[tetsujin1979]

I was listening to the radio commentary for both friendlies, and Kerr was on co-commentator duties each time. I know he's a great player, and has a lot of respect from teammates and media alike, but he really went over the top in his praise for Wes.

[seanfhear]

How could Wes Hoolahan retire from international football . Sure, he has only just started international football.

[CraftyToePoke]

How could Wes Hoolahan retire from international football . Sure, he has only just started international football.

My thoughts upon reading it too. Time to put an arm around him, tell him he is needed and the qualifying campaign will be build around his wizardry while mentoring Judge being phased in. Please.

[DeLorean]

Ronnie Whelan 'not buying it' (http://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/ronnie-whelan-the-clamour-around-wes-hoolahan-is-foolish-34598255.html)

Awful piece I think, pure waffle.

[Stuttgart88]

Wes oozing quality so far v Man United.

[DeLorean]

Brady not doing too bad either, snazzy crew cut too.

[DeLorean]

Big opportunity for Norwich actually. United seem to have left the likes of Rashford and Martial out of the squad completely for whatever reason. They look completely one paced without them.

[Closed Account]

Rashford and Blind 'rested', Martial was named in starting XI but pulled up in warmup.

[paul_oshea]

Olsson on last week about how they are not worried by Wessi at all, that he isn't that strong so can easily be bundled off the ball physically. For the big tall swedes that will be childs play then.

I never understood why he didnt seriously bulk up, I had this argument on here around the Italy game when i felt he got bundled off a few times too many and too easily. I think the general consesus now is that he does have a tendency to get dispossessed too easily due to his phsyicality or lack thereof. Hopefully he proves us wrong, but i dont see it Monday anyway.

[Stuttgart88]

Was this the same Italy game where you thought he was poor but then changed your mind when you saw on TV that he actually dominated things and won two very physical challenges? :)

I'm not concerned with his lack of physicality. He always seems to be able to make time and space for himself. He has done very well at club level against better defenders than Sweden have.

And bulking up only does so much good. It's not rugby. Size is useful if you're a centre back or centre forward, much less so if you're a playmaker. Technique and awareness can protect the ball far better than a couple of kilos of muscle.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Yes. It's the less heralded facets of Hoolahan's game that were perhaps most impressive in that game. He won tackles, chased things down and showed a willingness to win back the ball whenever he lost it.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36498740

Norwich have taken up the option to extend his deal by another year.

[DeLorean]

Hoolahan often has maybe one moment in a game where he gets himself into a bit of trouble and can't recover due to his lack of physicality. It happened against Georgia off the top of my head and I've seen it plenty of other times, but it is usually only an average of one per game at most I think. It's usually deep in opposition territory as well. A tiny price to pay considering everything else he gives us. It's no worse than a loose pass really but he does kind of look like a little kid when it happens, but a non-issue overall I think.

[Stuttgart88]

Funny, but I was thinking France really lacked a player like Wes tonight, someone capable of getting between the lines. I thought France looked flat and leggy but they were bailed out by a moment of quality.

[tricky_colour]

If he gets bundled off the ball he should fall over and claim a foul :)

[Yard of Pace]

If he gets bundled off the ball he should fall over and claim a foul :)

Someone do him up a Duffer compilation. He's probably the best I've seen at winning fouls. I always loved the scowl he'd have after to show that if he hadn't been bundled over he'd have gotten himself out of the cul de sac he'd found himself in with two defenders behind him and probably gone and scored.
A genius. A world-class winger who was never a luxury in any Ireland team. God, I miss him.

[tetsujin1979]

cracking finish from Wes tonight against Coventry: https://twitter.com/NorwichCityFC/status/758022793099304960

[OwlsFan]

Someone do him up a Duffer compilation. He's probably the best I've seen at winning fouls. I always loved the scowl he'd have after to show that if he hadn't been bundled over he'd have gotten himself out of the cul de sac he'd found himself in with two defenders behind him and probably gone and scored.
A genius. A world-class winger who was never a luxury in any Ireland team. God, I miss him.

Terrible but like most players/people, once they retire, they're soon forgotten. I can remember his goal against Saudi Arabia obviously but I am hard pressed to remember the other 7. No doubt there is an anorak out there who can remember them without the use of Google. Delorean ?