Jim Smith 2,610 Posted January 29, 2015 Every manager comes in and tries to play without Wes. Every manager realises sooner or later that they need to bring him back into the side. i really, really hope that last weekend was the moment that dawned on Neil.The need is particularly acute given our midfield injuries at the moment but in my opinion we desperately need Wes in the side on saturday whether its in a 4-3-3 with jerome moving wide left or a 4-5-1 with one of the midfielders having to make way. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fiery Zac 1,066 Posted January 29, 2015 Agreed. Saturday''s midfield had no leadership or anyone that could retain the ball and link defence to attack. Wes works hard both in attack and defence (though obviously isn''t the strongest) and is still the most gifted on the ball and at spotting a pass - Cue the posts about his assists and goals stats.....yawn - he scares oppositions in this league, drags defenders away creating space for others and works a damn sight harder than I''ve seen hooper do in the same position (though I think Hooper is and should always be played as a striker).Saturday was all hoof ball (''oh look, jeromes offside again''), now we need level heads and good link up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tetteys Jig 851 Posted January 29, 2015 Thing is, the role Wes specialises in is covered by Hooper at the moment.I would honestly consider the Johnno/Wes left side of midfield partnership though. Neither is a winger as such, but their styles compliment each other and both have performed on the left well before. They could alternate at different points of the game depending on how we''re doing. Redmond and Tettey would provide balance on the right. Howson would be the unfortunate casualty but we don''t have to worry about him on Saturday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Jenkins 0 Posted January 29, 2015 ANneeds to be exploring all options Jimmy, for me though Wes on the left has always looked lost. I know he has played there but not for me.I really fancy he Garrido Ollsen combination and think that''s well worth a start on Saturday. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 335 Posted January 29, 2015 I agree jimmy; its is either wes or hooper - and hooper has been playing well. Neither offer much defensively but a midfield 5 of redmond, hooper, wes, lafferty/bennet & BJ is really not viable.I wouldnt have wes left - every manager has tried it and it has failed. However I would prefer BJ on the left than Benno - but really not going to happen this week; next week maybe... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
havemyhowsonit 0 Posted January 29, 2015 Wes hoolahan has long past his best and isn''t the answer. Neither is the ''hero'' Elliott Bennett. Both should be shipped out and replaced Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Smith 2,610 Posted January 29, 2015 [quote user="alartz"]Wes hoolahan has long past his best and isn''t the answer. Neither is the ''hero'' Elliott Bennett. Both should be shipped out and replaced[/quote]Each to their own opinion but I seem to recall we were doing rather well in this league when we had Hoolahan playing in his best position and starting regularly. Strangely since he;s not been playing (or been shunted out of position) then things have gone downhill.Strange also that this "past his best" player is now getting called up regularly by Ireland and is regarded by most of their fans as their best creative player. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Great Wall Of Tettey 0 Posted January 29, 2015 People seem to forget hoolahan is at his best behind 2 strikers. He had his best time with holt & martin, and a more narrow choice of wingers.We played quite negative football with hoolahan in a 4411 and if anything he isolates the striker when he stops to hold the ball up. Also if he''s playing this role he simply has to contribute with more goals, You can talk about how creative he is but will never contribute 10+ a season which we need from that position,.He can do as many twists and turns as he wants and I think he''s ideal if we''re getting overrun during a game and need someone to come on and get a foot on the ball, but im of the opinion his time is passed to completely change our formation again to suit him, and hooper does a far better role with the goals and assists he''s provided from the deeper role. Jerome has scored 15 goals so why would you even consider moving our best player out of his best position to accommodate him? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lessingham Canary 108 Posted January 29, 2015 Hoolahan is definitely at his best behind 2 strikers, as Great wall of Tettey pointed out, I think dropping Hooper back into the "No 10 role" is a mistake, and hopefully AN will see that. We need the creativity of Wes, but also miss Tettey badly IMO, Some big decisions for our manager, play Wes and 2 up front ? 2 wingers, if so who do play on the left ? like sound of Olsson with Garrido at LB.Interesting times, with the play off clock ticking..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Bristol Nest 597 Posted January 29, 2015 Has AN played or coached anyone with Wes'' unique skill set. You have to see the full picture to know what to do with it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jim Smith 2,610 Posted January 29, 2015 [quote user="The Great Wall Of Tettey"]People seem to forget hoolahan is at his best behind 2 strikers. He had his best time with holt & martin, and a more narrow choice of wingers.We played quite negative football with hoolahan in a 4411 and if anything he isolates the striker when he stops to hold the ball up. Also if he''s playing this role he simply has to contribute with more goals, You can talk about how creative he is but will never contribute 10+ a season which we need from that position,.He can do as many twists and turns as he wants and I think he''s ideal if we''re getting overrun during a game and need someone to come on and get a foot on the ball, but im of the opinion his time is passed to completely change our formation again to suit him, and hooper does a far better role with the goals and assists he''s provided from the deeper role. Jerome has scored 15 goals so why would you even consider moving our best player out of his best position to accommodate him?[/quote]Why would I move Jerome? Because I think he can play that role and still score goals from there, because i think Hooper will score just as many goals as Jerome if played regularly as a striker but mots importantly because the balance of the side and the quality of our performances have generally deteriorated a bit since Jerome came into the side and we went 4-4-2. I think 4-3-3 (in some games at least) would give us a better hold in the midfield whilst allowing us to still play Jerome, Hooper and Redmond. Might not work against teams who are very strong down the wings but in most games I think this would work well.The other player we really need back is Tettey. he is our best/most important player in my book. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nutty nigel 7,902 Posted January 29, 2015 Always happy to see Wes on the team sheet. Either behind the strikers or on the left. But what I''ve noticed on here is how folk always clamour for him to be playing when he''s on thebench but when hhe''s in the team they clamour to replace him. Probably not the same people though because that would be a rum old kettle of fish. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tetteys Jig 851 Posted January 29, 2015 Would love to see a front 6 of tettey, johnno, wes, Redmond, Jerome and hooper. Not sure what formation but they are our best attacking 6 players. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Great Wall Of Tettey 0 Posted January 29, 2015 Our front line isn''t really the issue of you look at the amount of goals scored and chances created. Fitting Wes anotjer attacking player in isn''t what we need in my opinion. Leaky defence and missing tettey/Howson for midfield stability, not to mention bassong Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 335 Posted January 29, 2015 ?Redmond Tettey Johnson Wes Hooper Jerome Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 335 Posted January 29, 2015 Well said GWOT; resolving- how far forward both full backs (wingers?) are at the same time- Finding the best cb partner for seb - having def cms that can do the job is the key to our season pretty much whichever combination of forwards has been creative for us - its the back six that is the problem Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
birchfest 401 Posted January 29, 2015 Assuming Tetty isn''t back I''d be tempted for the diamond; Johnson Redmond. Bennet Hoolahan Hooper. Jermoe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Herman 11,136 Posted January 29, 2015 Is Johnson disciplined enough to play sole DM? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZLF 335 Posted January 29, 2015 Love a rhetorical question herman.cm this week - left flank next. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
barclay_boy111 0 Posted January 29, 2015 [quote user="Jim Smith"]Every manager comes in and tries to play without Wes. Every manager realises sooner or later that they need to bring him back into the side. i really, really hope that last weekend was the moment that dawned on Neil.The need is particularly acute given our midfield injuries at the moment but in my opinion we desperately need Wes in the side on saturday whether its in a 4-3-3 with jerome moving wide left or a 4-5-1 with one of the midfielders having to make way.[/quote]Really? During Adams reign more often than not we could only score once Wes had gone off.Wes was a good player however he is too light weight and is now well past his best Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
