I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away
Not just Irish managers as regards Whelan:
2004–200 Sheffield Wednesday 142 (13)
2008– Stoke City 199 (5)
He is about to play his 200th game for Stoke, most I suspect in the Premiership. Whelan can pass the ball, play in front of and protect the defence and gives 100% and plays in a different position to Hoolahan for starters. Ward is played because the options in his position are limited. Not that difficult to see.
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
Thought he did well in Georgia and can't be blamed for the goal. I think he is the new Paul Green - the player fans now vent their anger on. Green because he kept out McCarthy for a while and now Whelan because....a whipping boy is often required. A regular starter in the Premiership. This was the argument used against Trap when he was starting Championship players ahead of Premiership players. Now it's the reverse.
He's not a world beater but he's as good as anyone we have for central midfield.
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
I never had a problem with Green. I've always had a problem with Whelan. Obviously I've doubted that stance countless times with Pulis, Trap, Hughes and now O'Neill making him an ever present but I honestly find it difficult to rate him. Positional discipline seems to be his main attribute but, in my opinion, that is counter acted with many, many limitations otherwise. It seems he's there to stay though, and could theoretically play the same role well into his 60's
Whelan was alright on the night.
Wilson is a player with more abiity than Ward but is actually more (or just as) defensively dubious as Ward in the LB position.
I suppose in all the post match hindsight enhanced opinion, nobody will venture into honesty and admit to wanting McGeady replaced around the 70th minute
Whelan had a handy evening because barring about fifteen minutes in the first half, Georgia showed little or no attacking ambition. Not his fault of course and outside of a couple of misplaced passes under no pressure, he did as well as I would expect.
This was also the reason we were "in control" I think. For me, "in control" means that you have a two goal lead and the opposition is creating very little.... not (realistically) needing a winning goal but looking very unlikely to get it.
for all his faults mcgeady is our only player capable of a bit of x-factor and beating of his man / men. he is regularly double marked which should create space for others.
would like to see him tried through the middle. have suspected for years that it could be his best position.
I thought Whelan did fine on Sunday. In recent years I think he has been lucky to have kept his place. In fairness I think he suffers from lack of quality around him to some extent. But honestly, at Wembley he looked like an old player whose legs had gone.
Bump.
Closed thread.
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