KeiranShikari
New Member
I wonder if Wes was actually the one writing the article. 
h34r:
h34r:
morty
Moderator
Staff member
Ha! It is VERY complimentary!I wonder if Wes was actually the one writing the article.
The Great Mass Debater
New Member
With regards to the 'risky pass' comment, I've often thought people place far too much importance on passing statistics. Take Swansea for example, in our mutual first season, Swansea were lauded was Swansalona because they made 200 more passes than other teams and many of their players had superb pass completion statistics.
No-one seemed to care that many of these passes were unnecessary sideways, safe passes. For a defensive midfielder and a centre-back, good pass completion stats show you are playing a safe, sensible game and not wasting possession. That is good, as their job is not to make something happen. However, for me, if a playmaker has too successful a pass completion ratio it means theyre not trying hard enough, they're not playing the risky passes, theyre not trying things, trying to pick the lock - and thats what you want from your Wes. Yet people will highlight low pass completion statistics for forward players like its a negative
No-one seemed to care that many of these passes were unnecessary sideways, safe passes. For a defensive midfielder and a centre-back, good pass completion stats show you are playing a safe, sensible game and not wasting possession. That is good, as their job is not to make something happen. However, for me, if a playmaker has too successful a pass completion ratio it means theyre not trying hard enough, they're not playing the risky passes, theyre not trying things, trying to pick the lock - and thats what you want from your Wes. Yet people will highlight low pass completion statistics for forward players like its a negative
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The Great Mass Debater
New Member
An interesting comment on the team being flat with Hoolahan not in it, and the 4-4-2 formation discussion. I feel the same about Norwich. With Wes on we have less direct threat on goal, but without him we're flat with no creativity - we always look a better team with him in the side. Without him we seem to have no ideas. It would seem this chap thinks the same is true of Ireland. I must admit there is a general concencus about Wes which is perhaps unfair. Having seen him play central midfield he didnt do as bad a job as was perhaps made out. No he doesnt have the physical presence you might hope for, but actually his position and defensive cover seemed more than adequate.
Best of both worlds was Wes at the tip of the diamond with two strikers ahead of him. He then has an option to pick rather than the sole striking threat and his lack of direct threat is less important. What a shame we couldnt get away with the diamond again.
Wes has been written off and under-estimated/under-appreciated for many years - even by us
Best of both worlds was Wes at the tip of the diamond with two strikers ahead of him. He then has an option to pick rather than the sole striking threat and his lack of direct threat is less important. What a shame we couldnt get away with the diamond again.
Wes has been written off and under-estimated/under-appreciated for many years - even by us
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The Great Mass Debater
New Member
"No-one is disputing that O'Neill's hands aren't tied; that he doesn't have a lot to work with or that Ireland are not devoid of a game-winner. But it makes it more incredulous then that a player like Hoolahan would be whipped off, taken out of the battle, sidelined in our hour of need.
It makes it more frustrating that, when the chips are down, we aren't looking for a player to inspire magic.
We're looking for a safety net. We're looking to the comfort of a solid system, the luck of a break, or the unpredictability of a set-piece.
We don't win these games because we don't try to. We don't let players go out and win them for us.
We don't win big games because we're crippled with fear of losing them.
The treatment of Wes Hoolahan, not just tonight or by Ireland but throughout his whole career, shows a classic flawed in these footballing systems that they have been trying so hard to fix for over a decade.
It shows fear.
It shows that football in the north west of Europe isn't ready to fully embrace a Wes Hoolahan. Not yet anyway.
And it's a crying shame that we have wasted his talent."
This reminds me a little of what was said during the Hughton era, when Wes found himself not playing much. Coincidence that Hughton is Irish? (technically, not sure how Irish he really is with his cockney accent)
It makes it more frustrating that, when the chips are down, we aren't looking for a player to inspire magic.
We're looking for a safety net. We're looking to the comfort of a solid system, the luck of a break, or the unpredictability of a set-piece.
We don't win these games because we don't try to. We don't let players go out and win them for us.
We don't win big games because we're crippled with fear of losing them.
The treatment of Wes Hoolahan, not just tonight or by Ireland but throughout his whole career, shows a classic flawed in these footballing systems that they have been trying so hard to fix for over a decade.
It shows fear.
It shows that football in the north west of Europe isn't ready to fully embrace a Wes Hoolahan. Not yet anyway.
And it's a crying shame that we have wasted his talent."
This reminds me a little of what was said during the Hughton era, when Wes found himself not playing much. Coincidence that Hughton is Irish? (technically, not sure how Irish he really is with his cockney accent)
The Great Mass Debater
New Member
Wes Hoolahan has assisted three goals in the first two games of the Premier League season. Still vital to the cause. Was surprised to see him start today, expected a Hughton-esque dropping, in favour of a more solid and defensive midfield, but credit to Alex Neil. He who dares, wins.
Indy_Bones
New Member
I personally thought he was our best player today, a constant threat, always looking for either a clever ball through or to go on a jinking run.
dj161
Well-Known Member
Just signed a new 2 year deal, which should he see it out (and he bloody well better) would take him to 10 years with us
http://www.canaries.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/wes-hoolahan-norwich-city-contract-3219551.aspx
http://www.canaries.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/wes-hoolahan-norwich-city-contract-3219551.aspx
ZLF
Well-Known Member
Morty - you ok? ;-)
Din
Well-Known Member
It's strange with Wes, because even if he does complete 10 years with us, it's still debatable whether he's actually a Norwich City legend.
Personally I would say he is, particularly if he sees out a decade with the club. Easy to forget because the likes of Holt and Lambert and even Simeon Jackson get recognition for the success we achieved between 2009 and 2012, but Hoolahan was so crucial throughout that time, and without him I don't doubt we wouldn't of done as well as we did. I think it's because that he hasn't really been used regularly since the Hughton days that people don't consider him to be a legend.
Anyway, delighted he's signed a new deal. He may be 34 but he's still a really important player for us.
Personally I would say he is, particularly if he sees out a decade with the club. Easy to forget because the likes of Holt and Lambert and even Simeon Jackson get recognition for the success we achieved between 2009 and 2012, but Hoolahan was so crucial throughout that time, and without him I don't doubt we wouldn't of done as well as we did. I think it's because that he hasn't really been used regularly since the Hughton days that people don't consider him to be a legend.
Anyway, delighted he's signed a new deal. He may be 34 but he's still a really important player for us.