Glenn Whelan

[Junior]

I don't know, just looking at his last match and there seems to be a fair variety in his passing and movement.

In fairness Id say you could pick any midfielders chart and they'd all look pretty much the same lots of blue and red arrows......

As Stutts has said, I like his style, obviously he has a long way to go and much improvement required, but generally the simple passes out wide and an outlet for our defenders is a role we need doing well. I think Glenn can do this, we need to remember he only has about 10 caps to his name, played with various midfield partners.

Im hopeful he'll grow in to the role.

[eirebhoy]

In fairness Id say you could pick any midfielders chart and they'd all look pretty much the same lots of blue and red arrows......

I don't don't agree. Compare, say, Palacios and Gareth Barry:



Now imagine Neil Lennon, Makelele or Lee Carsley's graph. :-)

I think that guardian website shows that he rarely loses the ball and he offers more than just sideward and backwards pass. That's all I was replying to.

[NeilMcD]

To be fair Palicios is against Man Utd and Barrys is against Middlesbrough probably the best and worst teams in the Premiership.

[eirebhoy]

To be fair Palicios is against Man Utd and Barrys is against Middlesbrough probably the best and worst teams in the Premiership.

I know but the graphs aren't the same which is what Junior was joking about.

Anyway, it's a fantastic site and I'd pay to get something like that for Celtic and Ireland but I should get back to Glenn Whelan. Hopefully Reid gets back fit once and for all as they have the makings of a very good partnership.

[tricky_colour]

I was looking through that chalkboard thing at a few players it is rather slow so I did not see many but I was rather impressed with John O Shea for 13/12/08
against Spurs, I tried to post it but I can't figure out how to (easily).
Anyway it was nearly all blue, 70 passes 68 successful and 2 unsuccessful.

Not found a better one than that yet.

[irishfan86]

I was looking through that chalkboard thing at a few players it is rather slow so I did not see many but I was rather impressed with John O Shea for 13/12/08
against Spurs, I tried to post it but I can't figure out how to (easily).
Anyway it was nearly all blue, 70 passes 68 successful and 2 unsuccessful.

Not found a better one than that yet.

In fairness, John O'Shea hardly ever makes a pass longer than 10 yards, and rarely does he try a penetrating through ball (the most likely to fail).

[tetsujin1979]

In fairness, John O'Shea hardly ever makes a pass longer than 10 yards, and rarely does he try a penetrating through ball (the most likely to fail).

it would want to be some through ball if he played it from defence!

One thing that's missing from the guardian site is a list of how many passes were made to each player, but beggars can't be choosers

[tricky_colour]

In fairness, John O'Shea hardly ever makes a pass longer than 10 yards, and rarely does he try a penetrating through ball (the most likely to fail).

None the less you have blue right up the left side of the field and tonnes of possesion,it does look impresive, keeping the ball is half the game and so many passes indicates a high work rate. Anyway he will be startiinig the Champions League final and I believe he has played the most games for Man U
the Premireship winner, and possible Champions league winners so he can't be completely uselsss?

[irishfan86]

I never once said he was useless- my point was that you could hardly call him an adventurous player with the ball.

O'Shea is an average passer/user of the ball at best, and all this chart tells us is that he doesn't have the confidence or ability to be creative with the ball.

The majority of his passes are over short distances to the winger or to a centre-half.

[tetsujin1979]

United are not a long ball team so very few balls are played from defence to the front two by any defender.

[livehead1]

I never once said he was useless- my point was that you could hardly call him an adventurous player with the ball.

O'Shea is an average passer/user of the ball at best, and all this chart tells us is that he doesn't have the confidence or ability to be creative with the ball.

The majority of his passes are over short distances to the winger or to a centre-half.

Have you ever played football? He is a full back, who do you expect him to be passing to? He has someone of the ability of Cristiano Ronaldo in front of him...GIVE HIM THE BALL. That is all he has to do, no more, no less. He is a very good passer of the ball and does what any right minded full back would do, i.e. give the ball to one of the most creative players in the world.

What would you want him to do?!

[tricky_colour]

I never once said he was useless- my point was that you could hardly call him an adventurous player with the ball.

O'Shea is an average passer/user of the ball at best, and all this chart tells us is that he doesn't have the confidence or ability to be creative with the ball.

The majority of his passes are over short distances to the winger or to a centre-half.

What occured to me on the chart was that about half his passes were in the opposition half, where it is much harder to pass the ball, be it long or short.
OK most were on the wing but there is often little space there.

[elroy]

Whitehead looks to be signing for Stoke from Sunderland, could mean Whelans place is in jeopardy.

[Razors left peg]

Whitehead looks to be signing for Stoke from Sunderland, could mean Whelans place is in jeopardy.

Whitehead is a decent pro but he's not exactly Michael Essien, Whelan very much still in with chance of 1st team place if his form is good

[tetsujin1979]

Cracking goal from Whelan, shot across goal from just inside the corner of the penalty area, keeper never got near it
basically the same as the goal VS Italy, just about 10 yards closer to the goal

[elroy]

Most improved Irish player under the Trap era so far??

[centre mid]

JOS probably challenging for that also, take your point though, he has been very consistent since Montenegro away.

[DeLorean]

If not quite eating humble pie I would like to give Glenn Whelan some credit since I was so heavily on in case at times over the past couple of years. Although my evaluation of his performances back then has not changed I do see a lot more of a player in him now. Even his little flare up with Vieira a couple of weeks ago was symbolic of the more confident guy we are seeing these days. Of course, there were many of you who have seen this from day one but he has really only started winning me over since maybe Paris or so. He obviously has still some way to go but I do think he's more tenacious in his tackling and confident in his passing. Hopefully Gibson can make similar progress but I haven't seen any signs as yet.

[drummerboy]

I think he is improving all the time. His performances this season in the Premier League have been very consistant. Long may it continue.

[Duggie]

im a big fan of whelan's. loves playing for the green jersey you can see it in him. not only can he tackle but he can play a bit aswell. good passer of the ball and can score. establishing himself as a definate starter every game.