FAI...New Manager Hunt continues

[balladmaker]

Wes Hoolahan is a class act, adds something special to most Irish performances when he lines out.  Usually makes a classy pass or run that unlocks defences.  Yet he seems to be way down the Martin O'Neill pecking order.  Also, as noted by Damian Duff last night, O'Neill seems to find it difficult to praise Wes Hoolahan.

Thoughts, what is going on with Martin O'Neill when it comes to Wes Hoolahan?

[imtommygunn]

His workrate is questionable.

[muppet]

His workrate is questionable.

He is 34 and O'Neill has given him more caps than anyone else afaik.

[thewobbler]

Hoolahan.

I'd love to punch every pundit who breathes his name.

A journeyman with a half decent pass and truly awful fitness levels.

He never was the answer unless the question was "who is Stephen McPhail's modern equivalent?".

[general_lee]

That's a bit harsh, for a start McPhail still plays afaik and is only a few years older

[yellowcard]

Dunphy on the radio this evening said that Hoolahan is as good if not better than anything England or France have to offer after watching them over the weekend. Basically he thinks they have no one at the level of Hoolahan. The man has lost his marbles. This is a player who has been in and out of the Norwich starting team and is now 33/34 who has played not an awful lot of football in the top flight of English football. A skilful player yes, but his complete lack of athleticism has held him back.

[seafoid]

Dunphy on the radio this evening said that Hoolahan is as good if not better than anything England or France have to offer after watching them over the weekend. Basically he thinks they have no one at the level of Hoolahan. The man has lost his marbles. This is a player who has been in and out of the Norwich starting team and is now 33/34 who has played not an awful lot of football in the top flight of English football. A skilful player yes, but his complete lack of athleticism has held him back.

Dunphy is paid by the circus

[laoislad]

Dunphy on the radio this evening said that Hoolahan is as good if not better than anything England or France have to offer after watching them over the weekend. Basically he thinks they have no one at the level of Hoolahan. The man has lost his marbles. This is a player who has been in and out of the Norwich starting team and is now 33/34 who has played not an awful lot of football in the top flight of English football. A skilful player yes, but his complete lack of athleticism has held him back.

He would have said the same about Andy Reid a few years back ffs.

[general_lee]

Fitness levels aren't as important to an international team as they are to a club side. So so long as they are match fit and can last 60/70 mins at 34 what more do you want?

[thewobbler]

Fitness levels aren't as important to an international team as they are to a club side. So so long as they are match fit and can last 60/70 mins at 34 what more do you want?

A history of making those 60/70 minutes count would be a great start.

[keepherlit]

Fitness levels aren't as important to an international team as they are to a club side. So so long as they are match fit and can last 60/70 mins at 34 what more do you want?

A history of making those 60/70 minutes count would be a great start.

He certainly offers alot more than Whelan and McCarthy combined - suppose that wouldn't be hard.

[seafoid]

Why Venezuela? Colombia would be a better option. I don't think Venezuela have ever qualified for a world cup.

Fair enough. Venezuela would be a bit cheaper

[seafoid]

Hoolahan.

I'd love to punch every pundit who breathes his name.

A journeyman with a half decent pass and truly awful fitness levels.

He never was the answer unless the question was "who is Stephen McPhail's modern equivalent?".

"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong." - H. L. Mencken
Dunphy is truly fascinating.

[muppet]

Fitness levels aren't as important to an international team as they are to a club side. So so long as they are match fit and can last 60/70 mins at 34 what more do you want?

A history of making those 60/70 minutes count would be a great start.

He certainly offers alot more than Whelan and McCarthy combined - suppose that wouldn't be hard.

Yes a midfield of two Wes Hoolahans, instead of McCarthy + Whelen would be defensively rock solid, wouldn't it?

[Esmarelda]

Hoolahan.

I'd love to punch every pundit who breathes his name.

A journeyman with a half decent pass and truly awful fitness levels.

He never was the answer unless the question was "who is Stephen McPhail's modern equivalent?".

There's no doubting that Dunphy exaggerates most of his points for effect but to say Hoolahan is not the answer is completely wrong in my opinion.

He's unique to the squad in that he can control the game from the middle of the field. This is obvious from the game on Sunday night. I'm not sure how anyone watching couldn't see that.

His workrate is questionable.

This is beyond my understanding. His work-rate for a player of his age, and of his supposed fitness, is remarkable. If anything, he needs to pace himself throughout a game.