Wes Hoolahan (M Cambridge Utd b.1982)

[tetsujin1979]

Because everyone deserves applause for having a shot saved. I'm with the 'Hoolahan for McGeady switch' camp.
No he deserves applause for being directly involved in the goal, if the keeper hadn't pulled off an excellent save, it was certain goal

[The Scientist]

going on 30.

got his call up in the past! forget him!

better off calling up young players and blood them

[OwlsFan]

going on 30.

got his call up in the past! forget him!

better off calling up young players and blood them

Ageist. You should always pick the strongest team for competitive games. The future is always the future. It never comes. You don't "blood" young players in vital qualifying games. In any event at 30, he would be good for at least one more qualifying campaign.

[Charlie Darwin]

I'm guessing Hoolahan will have a few more years in him than the average midfielder.

[Kingdom]

Does anyone remember when Dario Hubner got called up for Italy? I was watching Serie A week-in week-out at the time, and he was banging the goals in for Brescia. He got his call up at 34! Who called him up?

Something I'd always be wary of is players like Doyle, Wes, Brian Murphy etc, they might have an edge in longevity over their peers, as they haven't been through the grind in the UK as long. Even more so Hoolihan - he never crossed me as being particularily pacy, more gifted with the ball, so his age is irrelevant.

[Drumcondra 69er]

Does anyone remember when Dario Hubner got called up for Italy? I was watching Serie A week-in week-out at the time, and he was banging the goals in for Brescia. He got his call up at 34! Who called him up?

Something I'd always be wary of is players like Doyle, Wes, Brian Murphy etc, they might have an edge in longevity over their peers, as they haven't been through the grind in the UK as long. Even more so Hoolihan - he never crossed me as being particularily pacy, more gifted with the ball, so his age is irrelevant.

Martin Palermo got called up by Maradonna for Argentina 11 years after his previous caps at the age of 37 and scored the goal that qualified them for the 2010 World Cup. think he scored in the finals as well.....

[Sullivinho]

Martin Palermo got called up by Maradonna for Argentina 11 years after his previous caps at the age of 37 and scored the goal that qualified them for the 2010 World Cup. think he scored in the finals as well.....

He did indeed. (http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/matches/round=249722/match=300061455/analysis.html) Apparently the goal made him the oldest Argentinian player to score in a world cup.

[tetsujin1979]

I'll post the exact quote later on, but Trapattoni did mention Hoolahan, along with Tierney, in the press conference yesterday

[theworm2345]

Bump.

[theworm2345]

Assisted on Norwich's winner today only three minutes after coming on

[OwlsFan]

I'll post the exact quote later on, but Trapattoni did mention Hoolahan, along with Tierney, in the press conference yesterday

Did you find the quote?

[geysir]

Could have been the Tardelli quote on the Norwich 2. When he uses the royal "we", that's just as valid as a direct Trap quote.

[tetsujin1979]

Did you find the quote?sorry, completely forgot about it. Think he just mentioned them as players he was watching, with a view to bringing them into the squad in the new year. Nothing that hasn't been reported already, but it was good to hear the manager mention the players by name

[theworm2345]

Goal for Hoolahan to put Norwich 1-0 up. Corner comes in, Crofts heads it goalwards, blocked on the line but the ball comes out, hits Hoolahan on the leg about 2 yards out, and trickles in. Doesn't care, a goals a goal.

[Stuttgart88]

Worm should be on Gillette Soccer Saturday. That was delivered just like Phil Thompson. :)

[Philly]

Brilliant assist from Hoolahan v. Wolves tonight. It's the first goal in this video:

http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/wolves-2-norwich-2/

Also got a round of applause off the home fans coming off towards the end of the game. I think I'll joing the Hoolahan Fan Club now.

[freewheel30]

Brilliant assist from Hoolahan v. Wolves tonight. It's the first goal in this video:

http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/wolves-2-norwich-2/

Also got a round of applause off the home fans coming off towards the end of the game. I think I'll joing the Hoolahan Fan Club now.

Great that the mic picked up all the shouts as well. Looks like he wants a seat on that plane!

[Charlie Darwin]

I only saw the second half (and the goals) but he had a stormer.

[tricky_colour]

The Hoolahan goal must be the longest one-two in history.
The guy who puts the ball through for him is the same guy who heads home the return cross.
In fact it is a 1-2-1-2, a bit like Barcelona except on a massively expanded scale.
Turned out to be a valuable point for Wolves in the end.

Hoolahan get man of the match from sky sports.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11709/7389241/Zubar-rescues-Wolves

[Stuttgart88]

Yep, hopefully he'll be considered. I think Fahey's place in the squad might be looking less secure.

[pineapple stu]

Ha! Norwich wearing an away jersey. I remember then getting slaggings for that on Fantasy Football back in the day. "Who would they wear it against? Brazil?!"

[harry crumb]

Yep, hopefully he'll be considered. I think Fahey's place in the squad might be looking less secure.

Fahey playing the holding roll atm for Birmingham. Good practice for the Trap system.

Very solid vs Palace. Sweeped up any loose ball in front of the back 4 and kept it simple.

ideally he would be playing higher up the pitch. Why curb his natural instincts?

[tricky_colour]

Ha! Norwich wearing an away jersey. I remember then getting slaggings for that on Fantasy Football back in the day. "Who would they wear it against? Brazil?!"

Not sure I understand the meaning of your post, but I think you mean they were playing in green?
Anyhow I found it a bit weird watching Norwich in their green kit, I think subconsciously I thought they were Ireland or something like that.
It is pretty unusually to see a premiership team wearing green I can't remember it ever happening before but that probably says
more about my memory than reality.

Incidentally with Wolves wearing orange all you needed was the ref and lines mean wearing white to complete the Irish flag!

It's mentioned here.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/mobile/football/9665534.stm

Norwich are wearing a green kit for some unknown reason.
Perhaps they were making a hint to Trap about Wes?

They did have green in 2004-2005 though

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1375998/PREMIER-LEAGUE-NEW-KIT-SPECIAL-The-strips-2011-12.html

[DannyInvincible]

Not sure I understand the meaning of your post, but I think you mean they were playing in green?
Anyhow I found it a bit weird watching Norwich in their green kit, I think subconsciously I thought they were Ireland or something like that.
It is pretty unusually to see a premiership team wearing green I can't remember it ever happening before but that probably says
more about my memory than reality.

Liverpool have had a couple of dark green away kits down through the years.

[pineapple stu]

Not sure I understand the meaning of your post, but I think you mean they were playing in green?

Well, yeah. Norwich's home kit is yellow. Can't think of any other league club that wear yellow (maybe one of the more recently promoted sides - possibly Burton). So who would they need to play in change colours against?

[BonnieShels]

Watford spring to mind.

[Kingdom]

Oxford wore yellow didn't they?

[centre mid]

Torquay also

[pineapple stu]

So you're all saying Fantasy Football lied to me?!

Part of me has just died inside...

[DannyInvincible]

I think Cambridge United also wear yellow jerseys, although they play non-league football at present.

[theworm2345]

Nice assist there from Hoolahan to set up Norwich's opener. Bursts in to the box on the right side, pulls it back to Surman who is standing at the 18 yard line with a chip, and Surman blasts it in to open the scoring

[SkStu]

Nice assist there from Hoolahan to set up Norwich's opener. Bursts in to the box on the right side, pulls it back to Surman who is standing at the 18 yard line with a chip, and Surman blasts it in to open the scoring

a chip or a crisp?

[theworm2345]

a chip or a crisp?
Actually, it was a pretty crisp chip.

[mark12345]

He's taken to the Premire League like a duck to water. He's worth a place on the plane to Poland, if not in the starting eleven.

[Stuttgart88]

I can't see him making the starting XI in a 4-4-2, but I think he'd be a shoo-in if we played 4-5-1.

I'd probably have him on the bench.

If Trap was less loyal I reckon Fahey's place would be most under threat. McCarthy still has work to do to make the plane.

Whelan, Andrews, Gibson are all certainties if fit.

Fahey very likely, McCarthy good chance, Hoolahan deserving but unlikely. Fair assessment?

[shakermaker1982]

I'd take him. That cross was sublime. He has an engine on him as well which should appeal to the Trap. He's not one of those flair players who can't be bothered to track back.

[Carrigaline]

He's not one of those flair players who can't be bothered to track back.
Anytime I have watched him, he almost never tracks back. Still, I would still have him in the squad as his decent form has gone beyond just being a purple patch. Although I wouldn't start him (it's too late to move away from two defensive midfielders), I would use him as an impact sub if we were chasing a game.

I think it's all moot at this stage anyway. The only way you could accomodate Hoolahan is by dropping Fahey, and Trap ain't going to do that.

[Carrigaline]

Swansea City may be in for him if Scott Sinclair leaves - http://www.squeakybumtime.com/premiership/3277/swansea-manager-brendan-rodgers-looking-to-poach-wes-hoolahan-from-norwich/

[theworm2345]

Goal Hoolahan...Simeon Jackson chips in a little cross from the left side of the box, Hoolahan nips in front of Caldwell and lifts the ball over Al-Habsi on the volley from about 6 yards...1-0.

[geysir]

The operational word in that goal is that defensive statue called Caldwell, but even if Caldwell did actually move his foot a few inches closer to the ball, there was a 50/50 chance of him slicing the ball into his own net.
Wes did well to stick his foot in but that has to be a prime example of the most inept defending ever seen by a centre half.

[Stuttgart88]

Caldwell is a donkey alright, but it was a very skillful finish and he timed his arrival well. Didn't see much else of the game, how did he do?

[geysir]

Like Caldwell, I drifted in and out of consciousness, afaia both Hoolahan and McCarthy did very well.
I'm biased (should go without saying) but I thought McCarthy actually looked a class player out there, he had personality.

[tetsujin1979]

Like Caldwell, I drifted in and out of consciousness, afaia both Hoolahan and McCarthy did very well.
I'm biased (should go without saying) but I thought McCarthy actually looked a class player out there, he had personality.
should have scored with a very Gerrard-esque break through in the second half too

[CraftyToePoke]

should have scored with a very Gerrard-esque break through in the second half too

He should but I thought having to take it on his left foot made this less likely, he didn't seem to hit it clean or with much confidence. I thought as well, just going by M.O.T.D. highlights and having had the game on in the background on the radio earlier, that McCarthy wasn't bossing the game in any way but that Hoolahan was causing his opponents more trouble, with some clever pass selection in the final third.

[geysir]

Obviously the radio commentary didn't do justice to McCarthy's game, he was central and looked very confident, always getting into position to receive the ball, shouting for the ball and directing the build up play.

[Carrigaline]

Goal for Hoolahan against Arsenal, don't think he will get an easier goal than that. Hoolahan seems to be playing a central and advanced role for Norwich in a five man midfield.

[Carrigaline]

Assist for Hoolahan to put Norwich 2-1 up. Norwich break from the back with Hoolahan receiving the ball in the midfield of the pitch. He makes a run deep into the Arsenal half and lays the ball off for Holt, who then chips in with an audacious goal.

[mark12345]

Goal for Hoolahan against Arsenal, don't think he will get an easier goal than that. Hoolahan seems to be playing a central and advanced role for Norwich in a five man midfield.

Goal for Hoolahan today and put Norwich's second on a plate for Holt. They're talking about Holt getting into the England team and many of his goals this season have come from Hoolahan's graft.

It's not too late for Trap to have a rethink (he won't we all know) but he is the best midfielder we have. And if you don't believe that then ask yourself who of Whelan, Andrews, Gibson could have done what he's done for Norwich today at Arsenal? None of them have the guile to do it. McCarthy maybe, but none of the above and yet all are considered before Hoolahan.

In the final analysis there's no substitution for quality and Hoolahan is the classiest Irish midfielder out there right now.

[Carrigaline]

It's not too late for Trap to have a rethink (he won't we all know) but he is the best midfielder we have.
I think Irish fans are looking at Hoolahan all wrong. He is not an alternative to the likes of Andrews, Whelan, Fahey, etc. because you can't play him in a 4-man midfield. We should actually be looking as taking him as a second striker, which is the kind of position he seems to excel in for Norwich.

[drummerboy]

Wes nearly scores again