Fair enough, just wondered. Didn't see anything wrong with the post other than that, just someone stating their opinion.
I disagree. I don't think we would have got good money at all for Wes. 500k max I reckon. He's too old to command a significant transfer fee and he doesn't fit into many midfields. Also replace him in January? That doesn't make much sense to me, he's been at the club for years and knows his team mates inside out. Players who play in that position generally take longer to bed in because so much of there game is knowing the players round you, knowing the runs they'll make and being on the same wavelength. You look at most attacking midfielders it normally takes a little while till they really get ticking. I agree about Russell Martin, I'd like Bennett to come in when he's back.
You may be right about Hoolahan and if we couldn't have got decent money then I guess there's no harm in keeping him. My real issue is I don't think he's good enough for the premiership and I would have liked to have seen someone brought in to replace him who was premiership quality or at least with the potential to be next season. Either way I think come the summer he'll need to be moved on and replaced by Vadis, Adreau or a new purchase. Can't dispute he seems to be playing well at the moment, but then I think the Championship is his level. Maybe wrong, but I suspect if we do sell him it'll be to a championship team.
I thought that was what Jacob Butterfield was signed for, ostensibly as an 'understudy' to Wes? What ever went tits up there I'll never know?
I think Wes is still just about PL class- the problem is many of the players around him are not at that level and the team is never going to be set up to play to his strengths in the PL Having Wes in midfield protected by either tettey or Johnson will never work, they're not good enough to protect him, and they are never going to be able to play sharp simple inter passing when they have almost no time to think about. Wes is not really designed for to partially take on their roles. In the championship, all of these players can excel as they have more time to think and there is greater scope for error.
Some of Wes' touches are just breathtaking. The Howson goal was one of them. He played the ball not only into exactly the right place but also with the precise amount of pace on it for Howson to take it in his stride and score.It was magnificent.
I agree with this, and I think that's why AN has concentrated on bringing in versatile attacking mid-fielders with good technical skills, Dorrans in particular. AN says he brought Dorrans in to play in the hole, but now sees him as the link between Tettey and Wes, with the skills to prevent other teams double-teaming Wes to block our creativity. Moving Johnson up on the left has made this possible and also brought the best out of BJ, emphasizing his strengths and de-emphasising his weaknesses, particularly passing. Hopefully this will become better and better the more Dorrans plays.
Spot on analysis Rick. I'm another who will have to hold my hands up regards Wes and say I thought he'd probably quickly become 'surplus to requirements' under AN but fair play to the wee man. It's not the first time he's been written off and come back with a vengeance either! In this division (when playing in his most natural position) he stands alone as the most creative individual in any team. He's without doubt one of the best players we've had at Carrow Road during my lifetime (and a bargain to boot) but he's always been a conundrum because fitting him into the team has proven difficult without upsetting the balance but I'm delighted AN has found a way to get the best out of him and not be detrimental to the rest of the side. Dorrans made a slow start at Carrow Road but the past two games have shown he will be vital in knitting the midfield together. Classy player, just like Wes and Tettey.
