Central Midfield Problems??

**Slash/ED** · 13/02/2005, 4:16 PM

Miller plays a different role to Whelan in fairness.

And I really disagree that Keane ever lacked physical strenght and presence any more than anyone else his age would have. Keane could always impose himself on a game which Whelan can't do as well though Whelan does play a different role.

**1MickCollins** · 13/02/2005, 4:24 PM

Originally Posted by Slash/ED

Miller plays a different role to Whelan in fairness.

And I really disagree that Keane ever lacked physical strenght and presence any more than anyone else his age would have. Keane could always impose himself on a game which Whelan can't do as well though Whelan does play a different role.

Keane has unusual stamina and endurance, he started as a box-to-box player, non-stop Energizer-bunny action for 90 minutes, he was small originally but never lacked strength. There are few who can be compared favourably to Keane so we would be better off looking for the next Kinsella or Townsend.

Unless Whelan has significantly improved his conditioning in the past 12 month I don't see him ever playing regularly in the top half of the premiership, he certainly could become as good as Mark Kinsella.....

**eirebhoy** · 13/02/2005, 4:35 PM

I doubt Whelan is lacking strength anyway. He's partnering an 18 year old in the 3rd tier of English football (believe me, there's more beasts in that division than there is in the premiership). If he was lacking in strength Sheffield Wedensday would not be 3 places away from the Championship as central midfield is probably the most important part of any team.

Anyway, I'll let Mr.Potential do his work and see how Whelan turns out.

**Ralph** · 14/02/2005, 9:51 AM

I happened to be in sheffield and saw wednesday versus Swindon last month, O'brien scored, whelen was very good, he keeps it simple and doesn't concede possession, he settles the play when he gets the ball, i suppose he isn't the biggest but the likes of Kinsella have shown that at international level physique isn't always an issue, the swindon midfielders were donkeys n comparison to the irish boys.