http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/tra...-new-deal-to-hang-onto-him-article787568.html Glenn Whelan is poised to pen a new deal at Stoke â finally killing off interest from West Ham. The Republic of Ireland international is in talks with Potters boss Tony Pulis regarding a contract extension and is expected to sign next week. Stoke, who have handed forward Jon Walters improved terms, have now moved to offer midfielder Whelan a pay-hike. West Ham have been interested in taking the former Sheffield Wednesday star this summer to help them make an instant return to the Premier League, but Pulis is keen for the 27-year-old to remain at the Britannia Stadium. Hope Glenn does sign an extension, would be fantastic news
Cant argue with much of that to be fair, but i think he better then Whitehead (certainly going forward) and 3 leagues better than Delap, Diao, Pugh, Tongue, Soars etc! I dont profess that he is great, I just think as a squad player he is OK and saves us going and spending a few million to by one. The problem is, all our midfield is ****e and is either made up of championship players or Prem cast offs, oh - except for the Irish hurling champion! Anyway, no point falling out over this one because we really are wasting oxygen even discussing our midfield - ITS JUST NOT GOOD ENOUGH ALL ROUND! Oh by the way, I like your quote at the bottom of your posts and sort of sums up our approach to the recruitment and development of our midfield!
I completely disagree. Whelan has got decent touch, can pass the ball, can shoot from distance when given space, has got good set piece delivery and can tackle. Admittedly he didn't score last season (his last goal I think was against Man City in the 1-1 draw at the Brit the season before). If you watch him in the warm up before the games he has got far more technical ability than most of our players. The reason he doesn't score enough if his total lack of pace means he can't get forward enough to support the attack (add to that the fact that Pulis likes both CMs to play almost as defensive midfielders). Being slow is also the reason people make runs off him - he's not failing to track them he just can't keep up.
He is easily the least poor of a pedestrian set of central midfielders.Our current left back should be playing in the centre of the park - Ithink the majority of fans think Wilson could cut it in the middle.
Wilson isn't physically strong enough to play centre mid at the moment but that can change. I think today has shown Shotton should play more, he's better at right back than Huth, maybe time for Woody to have 1 or 2 game break.
Sgt, I'm pretty sure that OldNicky is referring to my description of GW as being "the least poor of a pedestrian set of central midfielders".
Sorry I wasn't clear. I didn't mean what was Nicky referring to, I meant what did the phrase he said mean?
Sorry Sgt, In the context to say: The best of a bad bunch: I.E. - the least poor. Basically saying (very politely) - not very good. It originally comes from Hamlet. C'mon Sgt - do keep up.
Sorry Nicky. I'm autistic so i'm pretty slow/insanely stupid. I didn't study Hamlet. I studied Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet. Mind you I doubt my pea brain would've registered it had I studied Hamlet.
Alas poor yorock!! I say to thee thus.. Whelan would be fantastic IF he had another footballer to play alongside him.. Over to thee Mr Pulis... for the record I know Hamlet very well Nick.. I smoked them until I packed in about three years ago years ago!
Whelan is poor, just my opinion, but then again all the rest of our CM's are worse than Whelan. 4th year in the prem, let's give our scouting system not even a D
Sgt - you are NONE of those things you mentioned. I know that a lot of the time I come across as a smart arse, so SORRY! Re Shakespeare I often go from Bard to Worst!! One for Pulis and our famed defence: CB which CB, that is the question, The House of Huth or the Book of Matthew Oh sod it - good point today.
Sgt YOU are NOT stupid mate... just like Nick and everyone else, YOU have an oppinion and WE respect it.. If you are Autistic Sgt, GOOD for you mate.. keep posting sometimes you make more sense on here than many of us, the Stoke fans. ME included... Keep on posting and you are doing a great job on here. Like Nicky say's great pt today when, some think we didn't play that well. Chin up, chest out Sgt Oh, and KTF too
Sgt - I have to apologise for my motormouth. Autism can be a curse, but in many cases any inbalance is outweighed by outstanding virtues, of which you have MANY
