Glenn Whelan

**Crosby87** · 27/01/2016, 4:43 PM

Aren't all lunges rather desperate Charlie? Who plans a lunge? It's implied.

**Charlie Darwin** · 27/01/2016, 5:46 PM

Roy Keane planned one or two to my recollection.

**paul_oshea** · 27/01/2016, 6:16 PM

Exceptions Charlie exceptions my dear Charlie.

Delorean I know its an inability. Charlie and the boys would have had ye believe it was traps game plan so for 6 years it was ingrained in his psyche, perhaps that he might not be able rid himself of such things. He is just generally very uncomfortable. He improved the last 30 mins which is fair alright but I felt that Stoke were in control around then and I wouldn't have put that down to our dean Glenn.

Walters I thought played well yesterday.

**tricky_colour** · 27/01/2016, 9:59 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

He was very bad last night especially in the first half.he got dispossessed too easily on 3 occasions and a couple of misplaced passes when he actually tried to go forward or sideways. I now realise its an inability under pressure, nothing more nothing less. As usual always going for the easy lass straight back to defence, on one ocassuon if he turned to his left there was space in the middle and a possible counter.he just goes for the simple pass back to the defender....the defender then hoofs it. Defenders look for an out ball, tbey expect the midfielder to turn and move the ball forward not send it back again especially if players around, more often than not this leads to a defender just hoofing it forward - which is what we see so often with Glenn and Ireland

John Stones has been getting some criticism for trying to be a bit to clever for Everton, maybe he should have hoofed it up the pitch rather then passing back to his keeper,
there is a fine line in these things, sometime it is better to err on the side of caution.
I think in the case of Stones his back pass was anticipated which is why it got intercepted, I think Glenn's back passes and be anticipated too
when you play top teams, didn't it happen v Italy or Spain?
It is not good to be too predictable however you play.

**SkStu** · 27/01/2016, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

As usual always going for the easy lass

Think we've all been guilty of that.

**Charlie Darwin** · 27/01/2016, 11:50 PM

Paul never goes for the easy lass. Prospective lasses are vigorously vetted by all of YBIG before an approach is made. Unfortunately said lass has been gone several hours by then.

**tricky_colour** · 27/01/2016, 11:57 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Roy Keane planned one or two to my recollection.

Mind you one or two might be classed as premeditated assaults.

**DeLorean** · 28/01/2016, 7:16 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Delorean I know its an inability. Charlie and the boys would have had ye believe it was traps game plan so for 6 years it was ingrained in his psyche, perhaps that he might not be able rid himself of such things.

Yeah, Trap wasn't responsible for Whelan's limitations but he could definitely be blamed for not attempting to compensate for them, bar the very early days when Steven Reid looked the part.

Originally Posted by SkStu

Think we've all been guilty of that.

Fantastic

**paul_oshea** · 28/01/2016, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by SkStu

Think we've all been guilty of that.

Class.an odd Croatian lass

**tetsujin1979** · 21/03/2016, 10:09 AM

Some numbers from Whelan's 300 appearances at Stoke: http://www.stokecityfc.com/news/arti...0-3008314.aspx

**third policeman** · 21/03/2016, 12:02 PM

I know our management team can hardly be characterized as flexible and imaginative, but is it worth trying Whelan at centre-back? This is a real problem area for us looking at Euro's. Clark - short of game time, Keogh - a disaster waiting to happen, Duffy - untried at this level, Wilson - injured and out of favour at Stoke. Whelan's defensive qualities and positioning sense could make him a decent option, whereas his lack of mobility and limited passing options as a midfield player could actually be a benefit. It would create an opportunity for a McCarthy / Arter central midfield combo which would give us a lot more energy and tempo as well.

For those of us who have been following Ireland for more years than we care to remember there is an interesting precedent. Before the emergence of Lawrenson, Moran, McGrath et al we had a similar dearth of reliable centre back options. Not sure whether it was Giles or Hand who converted Mick Martin into a centre back, and he proved to be a reasonably effective performer.

Whelan's only obvious weakness (apart from not having played there) is lack of height, but this may not be the most relevant consideration against most of our likely opponents.

**Stuttgart88** · 21/03/2016, 1:01 PM

No, just no.

**DeLorean** · 21/03/2016, 1:29 PM

Did Klopp's Lucas experiment give you this idea Third Policeman? Lucas did play well enough there in fairness even if it way only ever going to be short-term. Clark's alleged lack of game time isn't a concern though, he's played plenty of football this season despite not always being first choice. Keogh scares me too but overall we still have enough options to work with and, more importantly, been defending well enough up until now to avoid doing something as radical as you've suggested. I do like the idea of having more energy in midfield but McCarthy, Hendrick and Hoolahan have provided more of that anyway as the qualification campaign progressed. Daley Blind has played there effectively for Manchester United also but at least he had plenty of experience in a back four and has top class technique and composure on the ball, I don't think anybody could argue the same for our Glenn.

**SkStu** · 21/03/2016, 1:45 PM

Mascherano is another that made that move and worked out...

cough cough Roy Keane cough cough...

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/03/2016, 2:59 PM

Originally Posted by third policeman

Keogh - a disaster waiting to happen

Hi Paul

**CraftyToePoke** · 21/03/2016, 8:23 PM

You know, I have thought and said a lot of things watching GW in green over the years and uttered several two word phrases at his efforts. Never have the words center half been among those though.

**Yard of Pace** · 22/03/2016, 2:35 AM

Ireland's Paul Warhurst?

(Nah, just worst)

**tricky_colour** · 22/03/2016, 3:21 AM

He is actually not as small as he looks.

**tricky_colour** · 22/03/2016, 3:41 AM

Anyhow quite an achievement for Glenn he is basically our highest rank player in terms of league position of the club apart form Long who is not so regular a starter,
And Glenn is captain.

He has taken a lot of flak in his time but much of that has turned to compliments.

I guess his biography might be go something like Alan Partridges "Bouncing Back" with every chapter ending "Needless to say I had the last laugh".

Steve Coogan who incidently is eligible to play for Ireland although he has scuppered his chances somewhat by not playing in the qualifiers, and at 5' 9.5 he is well short of a solution to the centre back issue.