contemporaries
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contemporaries
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.
His inclusion was no more disheartening than what was already there though, and I agree with Paul that he was a different and arguably more effective type of player than the alternatives. I think he was a default reference point for people who liked to have a go at the Irish team, mainly because he came from relative obscurity, his club status and probably even his general appearance. Anybody who actually took notice of him in the games he played for us could hardly have had many complaints. I think Andy Reid & co. being left out is a slightly separate matter, if that's what you're referring to, as very few managers would trust him as part of a two man midfield anyway. If the likes of Reid or even Hoolahan were to be accommodated, it wasn't likely to be at Green's expense anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by ifk101
What I remember finding disheartening was Whelan falling straight back into the side instead of Green, just days after he played an important part in one of our much better midfield performances in Stockholm.
Most could see he was below the standard required. He struggled to pass the ball, let alone control it. Green broke up weak play by the opposition but added zero creativity to our play. His inclusion in the team actually hampered our ability to be creative.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
What I remember finding disheartening was Whelan in the side .
Wait? He still is? Aaaarrrggghhhh!!
Around the time he was used, any creativity we had came from our wingers anyway, with or without Green in the side. We had some of our better midfield performances (post Stephen Reid) with Green in the team, most notably the trips to Armenia and Sweden. Blaming him for our lack of creativity is baffling given how little Whelan, etc. offered in that department.Quote:
Originally Posted by ifk101
I agree he's below the 'ideal' standard required.
I think he's lived a charmed life myself but I do think he's had a couple of really good performances this year, particularly against Poland and Georgia.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yard of Pace
I'm not blaming Green for our lack of creativity, merely remarking his inclusion in the side did not help the team's creativity. He said himself the following:Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
http://www.the42.ie/ireland-italy-cr...99882-Jun2014/Quote:
"Obviously with Trapattoni giving me my chance, I’m very grateful,” he said. “It was a bit more of a sitting role under himself.
The way Martin wants you to play now, it’s high tempo, breaking things up in their third. We are really pressing as a team now and it would be great for me to do that.
The central midfield partnership were asked to sit in position by Trapattoni. Trapattoni did not encourage the chosen partnership to be "playmakers". That's why Green's inclusion in the team was disheartening. Trapattoni desired to limit the creativity of our central midfielders and playing Green ensured that because his ability on the ball was not the best.
Fair enough... that was just par for the course under Trap though, not really a stick for so many to beat Green with, but I know what you're saying.
Ya and that was actually my point that was traps horrible system supposedly but yet green actually didn't do that so it was good and/or surprising that he was picked and therefore strange that people used it as a further stick to beat trap with when they all knew the type of system trap played and told those in it to sit deep. It also sort of went against what the pro trap argument was and defending players like whelan and Gibson etc from the usual suspects (recently popped up under DG case in point)because it nullified their points completely as when a player who can play it does it rather effectively.
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
Hoolahan's Short Turnaround - the last time Wes Hoolahan played two games in a such a short period: http://irish-abroad.appspot.com/Blog...00050165686179
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.
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!
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
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.
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.
Wes is good but he's no Richie Towell. Richie wouldn't be grumbling about playing two games in a few days.
"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 etcQuote:
Originally Posted by Yard of Pace
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.
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.
Hoolahan missed his peno then Redmond iirc, Everton through
Be interesting to see if he starts this weekend away to Manchester CityQuote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
I'd be shocked if he does.
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.
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.
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.
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.
think we need an away goal. would settle for an away 1 all draw at this stageQuote:
Originally Posted by 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.
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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by 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!
Quote:
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’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, 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/...PYAeeh_JtMjF3A
Hoolahan not in squad today.
Was injured apparently.
Also
http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/...kce-wKLXy6NiMA
Quote:
Why Wes Hoolahan is more effective than Alexis Sanchez, and 11 other interesting stats
Hoolahan to consider his international future after the Euros. 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.
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.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheOneWhoKnocks