Norwich City vs Reading (home) Saturday 17th March.

[morty]

Assuming Tettey won't be available, and hoping young Reed is up to it, as we really don't have too many defensive midfield options. I think I remember them saying Oliviera is out for a few games so assume we'll see Sir Benny. If you're going to the game, wear a hat, its going to be cold!

 

[Fenway Frank]

I’m sort of hoping Edwards might make the bench, if Watkins starts instead of Sir Benny then that really doesn’t look good

 

[morty]

Sounding like Oliviera could make it, Tettey back after the international break, Zimmerman just about okay. Farke being cagey about Hoolahan, but saying he prefers him off the bench.

 

[dj161]

Farke being cagey about Hoolahan, but saying he prefers him off the bench.

I don't get that, we're at home to Reading and likely to have plenty of the ball, Wes is creatively as good as anyone in the league, give him an hour plus to dictate the game and cast his magic, then take him off when he's tired or if it isn't working, I know it's a year later and the sides are different but last year we were 6-1 up at half time with Wes starting, oh and he scored twice that day

here's the highlights to get you in the mood

 

[morty]

 

[morty]

I don't get that, we're at home to Reading and likely to have plenty of the ball, Wes is creatively as good as anyone in the league, give him an hour plus to dictate the game and cast his magic, then take him off when he's tired or if it isn't working, I know it's a year later and the sides are different but last year we were 6-1 up at half time with Wes starting, oh and he scored twice that day

here's the highlights to get you in the mood

Being brutally honest, Hoolahan is past it. Folk cry about our sideways passing, then want Hoolahan, the master of sideways passing, to be recalled. He has been pretty ineffective virtually all season, and who would you drop? Maddison? Or play Maddison out of position to accommodate a player who we get all misty eyed about.

He has been a great player for us, but its time to come to terms with the fact that his time is nearly done.

 

[dj161]

Wes-Maddison-Hernandez

let Lewis provide the width and let Wes do whatever the hell he wants, he's Wes and I still love him no matter what, they can give him a new 10 year contract as far as I'm concerned

 

[Canaryboy]

Hoolahan has actually looked better off the bench to be honest, e.g. against Arsenal.

Could get behind the Wes 'super sub' idea a bit more if Farke made his subs earlier though, the bloke can put in a good half hour shift as he has shown a few times this season.

Hope Wes goes and does 12 months somewhere sunny though, bit of a sad way to end his career... a bit part player in a mediocre side. Should go and boss things in the A-league for a year or something.

 

[Canaryboy]

And also, Wes may not have the legs anymore and struggles to do a 90.... but he'd still have offered more than Watkins did out on the right against Hull.

 

[Din]

I love Wes and wouldn't be against us starting him at all. He is a great player to have off the bench though and considering that he probably couldn't play 90 minutes any more, and that Maddison being in the team would mean that we'd be a bit unbalanced with Wes in the side as well. I was thinking the other day actually obviously a lot of people in Ireland support Celtic so it wouldn't overly surprise me if he ended up over there maybe after his contract is up? Just a thought.

As for this game. Would like to see us play a 4 at the back which I imagine we will. We've done it for the last two home games and have played well in the first half of both just haven't taken our chances. Reading aren't having a great season so if we can move the ball about as well as we did in those games then hopefully this time we'll actually manage to grab a goal (though I wouldn't bet on it). Farke hinted that Edwards will be involved tomorrow which will be interesting.

Team I'd go for:

Gunn
Pinto Hanley Klose Lewis
Reed Vrancic
Hernandez Maddison Murphy
Srbeny

Subs: McGovern, Zimmermann, Husband, Edwards, Hoolahan, Watkins, Oliveira
​

The two holding midfield places pick themselves seeing as they're the only two options we have in that position. I like both Reed and Vrancic but even so it's not an ideal position to be in only having two fit centre mids. The subs pick themselves as well really as, apart from Raggett, they're literally the only other fit players we have. Could maybe put one of the younger lads on the bench, like that Mourgos who I've heard is doing alright this season. Obviously though the likes of Cantwell and Phillips are out on loan.

Would like to see Edwards off the bench if Farke thinks it's right. Really hoping Srbeny gets the nod tomorrow, as neither Oliveira or Watkins deserve to be starting. Really like the idea of Murphy and Hernandez hugging the touchline with Maddison in the middle. Obviously we've done it the last couple of home games and Hernandez has impressed so hopefully now Josh has got a goal his confidence will be boosted and we'll have two really dangerous wingers.

This will probably be 0-0. Hopefully we win 12-0 though. OTBC.

 

[morty]

Yup, like the look of that Din.

 

[Canaryboy]

Can't really imagine Brendan Rodgers signing a 36 year old to be honest, he doesn't seem to be the type to sign for the short term. He even turned his nose up at Snodgrass on a bosman didn't he?

Hibs for Neil Lennon a bit more realistic? Or Shamrock Rovers if he feels he's got enough dosh? He's a League of Ireland legend.

By the way, I met a man on holiday in Menorca many years ago who played for the Shelbourne Rovers first team. I was 17 at the time, so would have been around 2002. I can even remember his name, and did verify at the time that he was telling the truth via the internet (plus it was a resort and he bossed the football games).

Random memory, but only just twigged that also playing in that side would have been a young Wes Hoolahan!

 

[Canaryboy]

Blimey, that random bloke actually has a wikipedia entry... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Byrne_(footballer,_born_1979)

Think his solitary appearance for Dundee United qualifies him for that, (you have to play 1 game in a fully professional league to get a wikipedia entry as a football player, an editor told me that).

 

[hogesar]

Wes is much more of a forward passer than 90% of our current team.

However his form hasnt been great this season. Still has something to offer whilst our attack is sooo one dimensional though

 

[Canaryboy]

Also, lots of forward passing can be over rated... Hoofball is forward passing isn't it?

Watched a James Maddison compilation on youtube earlier, and some great little interplay between Maddison and Hoolahan. Then Pritchard came into the side and worked well with Maddison.

Now Pritchard has gone, and we've got Marley Watkins in the side

I know that Hernandez has come into the squad, but we've lost Wildschut and Pritchard so you'd expect Wes to be getting more minutes than he is.

Personally I think we should announce his testimonial now, tell the fans that he's leaving at the end of the season (its obvious, but lets make it formal) and then play him regularly until the end of the season. Probably get some decent form and a couple of goals out of him if we make the rest of the season about saying goodbye to Wes.

Would be a complete let down if we do a Huckerby on him and he goes without fanfare, he's rightfully achieved legend status and a lot of the players in our squad at the minute simply aren't fit to lace his boots.

 

[morty]

Wes is much more of a forward passer than 90% of our current team.

However his form hasnt been great this season. Still has something to offer whilst our attack is sooo one dimensional though

What do you base "He still has something to offer" on? A fancy flick or a nutmeg in a totally meaningless position of the pitch?

*If* Wes were to be used then his best position would be the one that Maddison occupies, that will be James Maddison, the best player in the entire league. If Wes was in better form it could well be worth working out a formation where you get the best out of both players. But he's not.

 

[GJP]

In fairness in a couple of home matches recently Wes has come on to inject some urgency which Maddison hadn't been able to do.

 

[morty]

In fairness in a couple of home matches recently Wes has come on to inject some urgency which Maddison hadn't been able to do.

And we went on to win the game, with him providing assists and maybe a goal?

 

[GJP]

No but we didn't win them with Maddison either.

Don't get me wrong, I have been saying for quite a while that Wes has had his best days. But that doesn't mean he can't offer something.

Last couple of home games all the drive has come from Leitner and then Wes.

 

[morty]

No but we didn't win them with Maddison either.

Don't get me wrong, I have been saying for quite a while that Wes has had his best days. But that doesn't mean he can't offer something.

Last couple of home games all the drive has come from Leitner and then Wes.

But without actually changing the outcome of the game?