Apologies, I haven't really read much of the Palace match thread where this has no doubt been discussed, but what's the general consensus on how Wes got on? Do people reckon he'll get a run in the team even when Snoddy and Pilks recover?
on motd they highlighted him as the player we have been missing in recent weeks. his assist for the goal was excellent i'd say from what i heard of the match on the radio and the injuries to our wide men, then yes he will get a run in the team.
I think the big question will be, should he start or should he be brought on as an impact sub? The game against Palace did show that he can't do 90 minutes any more!
As I say, I didn't see the Palace game, but Wes has never quite struck me as an 'off-the-bench, impact-type player'. I take your point that maybe he can't manage 90mins at full tilt, but if he does play I think I'd rather see him start the game and try and get a hold of the ball early on.
A fair comment and it could be that he starts and gets subbed after say the hour mark, or he comes on as an 'impact sub' - I prefer the latter once all our injuries are behind us!!! But please CH - not for just 10-15 mins!!
I am a great fan of Wes,bit if he plays how do you play Snodds,Bennett,Pilks,Tettey.Fer, Howson,Johnson Redmond when all are fit? Personally I would not have a clue!!
Personally I think his game was helped by the quality fo the opposition. I'm afraid to say it but Palace are about his limit these days. We will not see a performance like that if he plays against Liverpool or West Brom. Having said that he has been out of the team for a while, so his performance did impress me on saturday, I just dont believe he is capable of producing that against most of the teams in this league.
He's still the man. Second start for us this season, can hardly have any match fitness and playing out of position still provides us the cutting edge against a team who may have frustrated us as they pile men behind the ball. Offers us something no one else in our team does, until we get someone better i'd play him he can unpick a lock, he makes things happen and however much people think he gives the ball away, i'd rather see him do it than johnson constantly over hitting passes over the top or nonchalantly mis passing out of play. I find that much more frustrating. If he gets dropped after this week he's been harshly treated in my eyes.
This is what I think too. He was effective against Watford in the cup but when we are playing really top teams with no disrespect to Palace/Watford then he is just always losing the ball which means we never get the ball anywhere near the opposition goal. Palace is a level he can play at, but if he plays vs Liverpool tomorrow I don't think he will be anywhere near as effective. Would love for Wes to make me eat those words of course.
Yes, but we need players that can perform at the Palace kind of level, we need to be beating those teams as they will determine how our season ends up. We were great first half on Saturday and yes Palace let him have too much time on the ball but he was the creative spark that we have been crying out for all season and a link between the midfield, wingers and strikers. Hooper showed that given a chance he can score and I think Wes still has a roll to play at NCFC, and I am glad because he is a really nice bloke as well.
I have not seen motd, just going by what I heard on the radio. Still think he has a role to play, especially at home against lower table sides.
I think Wes is better starting to be honest. His game is not based around pace it's based around his footballing brain and tricky feet. If he can get on the ball as he did in the first half against Palace and dictate play from the offset it gives us a better chance of scoring, then when he tires and hopefully we are winning bring on DM or winger for the last 20 mins or so. Or if we are still drawing bring on some pace.
I think you have to take into account just how much ground Wes covered against Palace plus his lack of matches for why he was shattered around 65/70 mins. 1 second he was defending deep on the left the next thing you know he's rushing through the middle to chase a ball up field or picking it up on the right. It was great to see him covering every area of the pitch and he even put in some important tackles!
I have only seen highlights so would welcome other's opinions, but does anyone else think that with the excellent Olsson offering a wide threat on the left, hoolahan might be more effective than before in a wide midfield role? It'd never work with Garrido, but Olsson could cover that wing and allow hoolahan to drift more. I don't think 4-4-2 will work at Liverpool, so perhaps drop Elmander for Johnson in an attempt to shore things up a bit?
Wes is better against the stubborn teams which park numbers behind the ball, I think the Cardiff game etc would of been a different story if he was included as he would of found a way through them.
Wes drifted a lot and was given more of a free role whilst Redmond switched and populated wings a lot, Ollson did push up to a wing back position when Redmond was on the right. Tactically it worked well in the midfield but Fer was off form big time.
have to agree about Fer. He was pulling out of tackles and looked completely devoid of ideas on how to get the ball forward. It was strange. I think if he'd been at his best we'd have been far more comfortable.
It was the biggest mistake of the summer not buying a creative midfielder in his mould. Not convinced Wes can do it against better opposition but happy to be proved wrong
