Announces Adams, apparently: https://www.clubcall.com/norwich-city/hoolahan-out-for-weeks-1744941.html This is a funny one - a lot of posters have said things along the lines of "blessing in disguise". I think there's something in this line of argument, particularly as it looks like Vadis O-O will finally get some game time and, long term, if he can settle, may well be our best ACM by all accounts. However, losing a major player to injury is always massively disappointing. The game on Tuesday was begging for Hoolahan to come on and unlock the defences. And as an impact substitute (much like Murphy at the moment) I actually think is Hoolahan's best role where we are desperate to pick apart a defence. So the "blessing in disguise" comment I don't agree with, but hopefully the injury will mean Hoolahan, when he's fit again, will get a place on the bench.
It's a tough one Rob, like you say, the Leeds games (by all accounts) was screaming for someone to unlock the defense and Wes seems to be the obvious person to fulfill that role BUT he only does it 'sometimes', and perhaps not consistently enough to be able to say that he would have made the difference on the night. His injury, while obviously unfortunate, does at least offer the opportunity for NA to have a closer look at some other players.
Nobody likes to see the longest serving member of the squad badly injured but hopefully forcing Adam`s hand will give Howson or Vladis a shot in the side. He probably had to give Hoolahoops assurances that he would get game time when he took over and at the start he was sensational, Adams has to introduce and rotate the squad until it clicks into place so it may be blessing in disguise hopefully.
We have a big squad and Adams will be forced to try something else rather than stick to the same 11. Maybe we will start Howson or the Belgian and we play better and win.
I think persisting with 2 up top and 2 wingers is hurting us. When teams are packed tightly in their own half we need open spaces and runners from deep to move the defence around and with 4-4-2 it's hard to do that. I really want to see Jerome upfront with 2 of Murphy/Laf/Redmond/Grabban around him and 3 of Howson/Vadis/Tettey/Johnson/O'neil/Wes in behind. But less of Johnson and Tettey in the same team.
I was just trying to put a positive spin on it DM ,you are right without Hoolahan we will probably go down.
Whilst I would never wish injury on anyone. I'm firmly in the 'blessing in disguise' camp. I think Hoolahan's only role at the club should be as an impact sub. He just goes missing in too many games.
I have seen a couple of games this season where it could have been argued "he went missing" but a) he was the only player who made telling passes, b) other players didn't read the pass so it seems the format of the team was set up incorrectly, c) he was played out of position. I don't think he "goes missing", rather the style of play doesn't necessarily play to his and other players strengths. The team could be set up much more flexibly so that players interchange positions with greater fluidity
I think this is the key - if the team is being set up a specific way for tactical reasons, Hoolahan shouldn't just be shoe-horned into the formation simply because he is our most creative player. Similarly, if he's going to come on, we need the team to be working round him.
Sorry, that is the most ludicrous statement on this board for a long time. Wes has not been "sensational" since our league one year. He is at best a very good choice for starter/sub. It is time fans moved on and recognised the true facts of his abilities. To paraphrase , or almost, Life of Brian " he is not the saviour, he is just an erratic part of the equation".
I probably wouldn't have wanted him to start tomorrow anyway. It's going to be a battle tomorrow and would rather have Vadis/Johnson/Howson in. We've got a terrible recent record against Wednesday. Great away day though. Got a few friends who went to Uni there so am on my way up tonight to relive the glory days. WE ARE NORWICH, WE ARE HERE...
Not a 'blessing in disguise' for me, but, as Worthy used to say, 'an opportunity for others'. I'd like to see a 4-2-3-1: Ruddy Martin Turner Hooiveld Olsson (or Garrido) Howson Tettey Grabban Odjidja-Ofoe Redmond Jerome With Grabban and Redmond switching sides and Howson linking up with Odjidja-Ofoe while Tettey covers in front of the defense.
Exactly - we have better all round player in the squad and IMO, his appearances should be limited to being a sub, unless we suffer a string of injuries!!!!
When we were winning back to back games i considered his input sensational at times also he was sensational for Rep Of Ireland too . You must be able to get some good streams out there mate .
We may well have a big squad, and indeed a lot of midfielders, but not to many that have his ability to pick a pass.