It's getting more difficult with every passing week to single out a City man of the match. Yesterday was no exception, but whoever gets the accolade, one thing nobody can deny is the value to the current set up that Wes brings. OK, he's in acres of space, with Holt so often playing the lone striker role under Hughton's preferred system, but in the last 4 or 5 games, my god has he exploited every inch of the space afforded to him by holding the ball up and bringing Holt, the wide men, plus the overlapping full backs into play. I'd say his last 4 games have been his best - and most consistent for us since he joined in June 2008. Less prone to taking too many touches recently, too. My one concern is that the vultures may well start to circle as we approach the January window but I guess Hughton will face that as and when it arises. Wes is contracted until 2014 but that counts for little if/when £££ start talking Well played, Hoolers - long may it continue
Ah Wesley, yes, I was fortunate enough to have played for the same club in Dublin; only difference between us was that I was pretty useless and he was rather good. Great to see him getting the recognition he deserves, and lining up in a system that suits him and with a manager who knows how to use him properly. Can't see him having much of an international presence with Trap remaining in charge, but that's Ireland's loss. He's still very highly thought of and warmly remembered at Shelbourne.
I have to say that I am having to 'eat my words' re Hoolahoops. He has always added something to the team and for me used to be guilty too often of tryig to beat one player too many, but he brings a huge amount to the team and I'll happily forgive him the odd misplaced pass etc. I heard he got MoM yesterday, but IMO and others I was talking to after the game agreed that JR deserved it (I'm NOT biased, but I have always liked JR!!!!)
Yup, I am also a bit guilty of not signing his praises but in fairness, as Cromer points out, he has not been this good or consistent often enough in the last couple of seasons and I thought he was past his best and ready to be off-loaded. A total revelation this season, especially since the Liverpool game. As good as PL did for us, he clearly didn't know how to play Wes, or if he didn't he just didn't want to play to his strengths.
There was an interesting statistic before the game apparently Hoolahan is the fourth most creative player in league and set's up a chance every 30 minutes on the pitch. Not bad considering some of the skill in this league. I'm glad to see Wes is back in, this might sound crazy but sometimes I don't think he isn't appreciated enough by our fans. There is always someone having a whinge about him, this season I've heard nothing so far though.
One fan behind me summed him up perfectly yesterday - "I'll forgive him occasionally giving the ball away for what he brings to the team!!!" If anything, he seems to be thriving more inder CH than he did under PL.
He plays such a difficult position, he is so open to criticism because he is so heavily relied upon when he plays. People forget how hard his position is and if he gets isolated in a match he seems to get lambasted. When he does it right, he makes it look easy, that could be his downfall in a way, a player like Wes will always lose the ball a few times in a match because he is the playmaker. He's such a good player, must be a good feeling for him to have torn apart his childhood team yesterday.
One fan behind me summed him up perfectly yesterday - "I'll forgive him occasionally giving the ball away for what he brings to the team!!!" If anything, he seems to be thriving more inder CH than he did under PL.
Nobody has ever questioned Wes's talent; what has held him back has been a tendency to over-elaborate and over-complicate, together with a lack of consistency. Chris Hughton is not just a good manager, he is an experienced and knowledgeable coach. Wes's game has improved through working with CH and his staff. Same is true of Bradley Johnson IMO. In fact, even allowing for the greater quality of the players CH has brought in, everyone on the pitch now has an improved understanding of the team's play and their role in it.
Wes does still tend to give the ball away in the wrong place sometimes, but with the present system, he has a minder to back him up. And when he does do it right, we score as we did yesterday. I expect him to flourish under this system and he will become one of the division's MVP.
Exactly, his the architect of our team we've got some intelligent and crafty players in our midfield, but Hoolahan just adds that extra dimension the same could be said about Fox too.
I agree RobbieBB that Bradley Johnson has come leaps and bounds under Hughton. His passing is improving too, yesterday he played a brilliant ball out wide I think to Pilkington, he and Tettey are really creating a great partnership in the middle. I think Wes gets more freedom under Hughton, he's been giving protection with Tettey and Johnson behind him so he can play with that bit more confidence if we lose the ball. In all fairness yesterday, we defended near perfectly, I honestly can't think of a clear cut chance United got yesterday, media give it that United were poor when I seriously think a lot of teams would have struggled to have broken us down yesterday.
Very much thriving, lamberts formation tinkering didn't suit him. Let's hope it lasts - his form. There will be injuries and I assume we wont always play one striker up top especially at home
Grant Holt is the secret to Hoolahans sucess, my god does he work hard, he pushed Uniteds defence all over the place, and it gives Wes the space to work his magic. I just wish he'd ****ing well shoot when he has the chance, (which he does quite often), come on Wes smash a few in. Everyone of our team was FANTASTIC, they all deserved 10!
Relax...Wes is going nowhere. McNasty will make damn sure of that! Norwich aren't in the position of needing to sell, we will be clear of external debt at season's end, so unless a £20m Henderson silly-bid comes in, none of our lads will be leaving in January.
I'll criticise alot of players if I think they are making mistakes or playing badly but I can hold my hands up and say I have never criticised Hoolahan once for giving the ball away. I don't think I've ever seen a City player want the ball as much as him, even when he might be playing badly he doesn't shirk or go into his shell. In my mind he deserves just as much legendary status at the club as Holt because those two players are the only true constants from our rise from League One. Our present status has been built on their performances and they are a fundamental part of how we play.
Wes is the player I most love to watch, some of his first touches and control is just sublime, if he played for Chelsea or man city pundits would be fawning over him every week! I get so frustrated with people on the pinkun who just can't see his value and complain constantly about him giving the ball away or getting caught on the ball. It's always a breath of fresh air to come back on to here and see reasonable opinion from knowledgeable fans! Wes is a class act and I feel lucky we have him!
Exellent apprisal of what both players have brought to NCFC. I think I'm right in saying that Wes is NCFC's longest serving player isn't he??
Yeah, pretty sure he is. He certainly beats Holt, who I believe is now the only other player not brought in by PL or CH.
