Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: PeterWithesShin on July 19, 2017, 07:08:10 PM
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As it looks all but done he gets his own thread.
The Telegraph reporting that an agreement between Stoke City and Aston Villa that could rise as high as £1.5m has been struck to take the 33-year-old to Villa Park in time for the new Championship season.
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FFS.
I just don't get what is on Bruce's mind at the moment.
oh, but welcome Glen etc, etc
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He was a decent enough player a few years ago. He's 33 now though so not sure how much he has left to offer.
Don't tell me he has a 3 year contract as well?
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Another shit one. Can't see Bruce lasting beyond December.
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I'd have preferred to have seen Tshibola given a chance as cover for Jedinak but welcome anyway and good luck.
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Just been searching for the YouTube Glen Whelan highlights, there ain't any 😳
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We've lurched from spunking vast amounts of cash on the likes of Hogan and McCormack to this. I'm yearning for a manager like Jokanović at Fulham or Smith at Brentford who could unearth a few future stars for a few quid.
Oh yeah, welcome and all that.
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Did we need cover for Jedinak? 100% yes - we're so vulnerable when he's out
There is no other player in the squad who could do this, except maybe Lyden. Tshibola can't. And I don't think Lansbury offers enough protection.
He played 30 times for a pretty decent premie league team last year
The negativity about EVERYTHING is starting to piss me off a bit to be honest
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We've lurched from spunking vast amounts of cash on the likes of Hogan and McCormack to this. I'm yearning for a manager like Jokanović at Fulham or Smith at Brentford who could unearth a few future stars for a few quid.
Oh yeah, welcome and all that.
Yeah why didn't we go in for that James bree or Jacob bedeau? Or give green a chance? Or get that Sam Johnstone from Man Utd?
Fucking Bruce. Every poster on here is a better manager
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Q) How do you make a one dimensional, flat, ponderous midfield even more one dimensional, flat and ponderous?
A) By signing Glenn Whealan.
He's well and truly putting his stamp on the club now, unfortunately too many people have already brought into it.
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Q) How do you make a one dimensional, flat, ponderous midfield even more one dimensional, flat and ponderous?
A) By signing Glenn Whealan.
He's well and truly putting his stamp on the club now, unfortunately too many people have already brought into it.
Or maybe
Q) How do you ensure the midfield doesn't crumble when Jedinak is out, while also allowing Lansbury and / or hourihane to concentrate on what we bought them for?
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Still a regular for Ireland, isn't he? Can't be that bad a buy for the Championship if he is.
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He scored the goal that left me in possibly the most foul mood I've ever been in after the football.
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He scored the goal that left me in possibly the most foul mood I've ever been in after the football.
RDM for me.
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Q) How do you make a one dimensional, flat, ponderous midfield even more one dimensional, flat and ponderous?
A) By signing Glenn Whealan.
He's well and truly putting his stamp on the club now, unfortunately too many people have already brought into it.
Or maybe
Q) How do you ensure the midfield doesn't crumble when Jedinak is out, while also allowing Lansbury and / or hourihane to concentrate on what we bought them for?
What exactly did we buy them for?
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His strategy is seemingly fill out the squad with seasoned aging pro's as they need little coaching and hope that the experience rubs off on a few of the others.
As another poster said a signing as lazy and in ambitious as his brand of football.
Yesterday's man using yesterday tactics
If we make it this year it will be luck rather than judgement
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He scored the goal that left me in possibly the most foul mood I've ever been in after the football.
RDM for me.
Not a bad call. I get narky but I went full Arsenal fan with my self entitlement after MON's nadir.
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Q) How do you make a one dimensional, flat, ponderous midfield even more one dimensional, flat and ponderous?
A) By signing Glenn Whealan.
He's well and truly putting his stamp on the club now, unfortunately too many people have already brought into it.
Or maybe
Q) How do you ensure the midfield doesn't crumble when Jedinak is out, while also allowing Lansbury and / or hourihane to concentrate on what we bought them for?
What exactly did we buy them for?
You beat me to it. Whatever it was they haven't done much of it, regardless of whether Jedinak is playing.
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Goals and assists I'd have thought - both got half a dozen goals for other teams and hourihane got more assists than anyone last season, almost all before he joined us
I don't know if they're promotion material but they're both clearly capable of more than we've seen to date
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Goals and assists I'd have thought - both got half a dozen goals for other teams and hourihane got more assists than anyone last season, almost all before he joined us
So we agree that Bruce isn't getting the best out of them then?
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Hourihane and Lansbury couldn't get goals and assists when we didn't have cover for jedinak but know we have that they'll be totally different players? Is that the suggestion here?
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Goals and assists I'd have thought - both got half a dozen goals for other teams and hourihane got more assists than anyone last season, almost all before he joined us
So we agree that Bruce isn't getting the best out of them then?
Yep. And if he continues not to then he's gonna be in trouble. But I'm not making that judgment after 3 weeks of pre season.
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Goals and assists I'd have thought - both got half a dozen goals for other teams and hourihane got more assists than anyone last season, almost all before he joined us
So we agree that Bruce isn't getting the best out of them then?
Yep. And if he continues not to then he's gonna be in trouble. But I'm not making that judgment after 3 weeks of pre season.
Neither am I, i'm making it after 7 months of them being with us.
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I'd have preferred to have seen Tshibola given a chance as cover for Jedinak but welcome anyway and good luck.
Tshibola is absolute WANK though.
Whelan and Elmo are fine, but we look like we could do with a player of real quality in addition for the midfield. Someone who can beat a man and get to the by line would be good.
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I'd have preferred to have seen Tshibola given a chance as cover for Jedinak but welcome anyway and good luck.
Tshibola is absolute WANK though.
Whelan and Elmo are fine, but we look like we could do with a player of real quality in addition for the midfield. Someone who can beat a man and get to the by line would be good.
I don't think Tshibola got enough of a run to be honest, although saying that he didn't get too many games at Forest either.
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I'd have preferred to have seen Tshibola given a chance as cover for Jedinak but welcome anyway and good luck.
Tshibola is absolute WANK though.
Whelan and Elmo are fine, but we look like we could do with a player of real quality in addition for the midfield. Someone who can beat a man and get to the by line would be good.
I don't think Tshibola got enough of a run to be honest, although saying that he didn't get too many games at Forest either.
Probably because he's WANK ! :-)
As pointed out, Whelan good cover for Jedinak, for £1m or so I think it's a wise one. It makes more sense than the Elmo one in actual fact, but I'm not against that either as Bruce knows him and it's probably worth a punt for the money as well.
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Three at the back of Terry, Samba and Chester with Jedinak and Whelan in front of them.
Dynamic.
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Three at the back of Terry, Samba and Chester with Jedinak and Whelan in front of them.
Dynamic.
We won't concede too many though, look on the bright side!
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His strategy is seemingly fill out the squad with seasoned aging pro's as they need little coaching and hope that the experience rubs off on a few of the others.
As another poster said a signing as lazy and in ambitious as his brand of football.
Yesterday's man using yesterday tactics
If we make it this year it will be luck rather than judgement
I very much doubt a team has ever won the league by being lucky.
We've lacked a spine for years. We've lacked nous and experience and teamwork too. Terry and Whelan give us that. I tell you what else they give us, and that's basic honest football. Not the bullshit spouting of Champions League Bacuna, or the shisha playboy Agbonlahor, not the fat lazy Richards etc etc. The players we've signed have been doing what they've done for a good while and done it well.
Do we need some more flair? Yes, but what we need more is the right attitude and approach.
Do we need a front player? Yes I think we do, and an attacking midfielder.
*edited because i forgot to answer my own question at the end....
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Whelan is nails. He adds punch as well as a spine. A brilliant attitude as well it seems.
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His strategy is seemingly fill out the squad with seasoned aging pro's as they need little coaching and hope that the experience rubs off on a few of the others.
As another poster said a signing as lazy and in ambitious as his brand of football.
Yesterday's man using yesterday tactics
If we make it this year it will be luck rather than judgement
I very much doubt a team has ever won the league by being lucky.
We've lacked a spine for years. We've lacked nous and experience and teamwork too. Terry and Whelan give us that. I tell you what else they give us, and that's basic honest football. Not the bullshit spouting of Champions League Bacuna, or the shisha playboy Agbonlahor, not the fat lazy Richards etc etc. The players we've signed have been doing what they've done for a good while and done it well.
Do we need some more flair? Yes, but what we need more is the right attitude and approach.
Do we need a front player?
Agreed
The amount of games we lost last season due to being spineless
RDM's spine was only partially successful (Gollini, elphick, Tshibola and McCormack failed)
I'm much more confident about our spine this year
But yes we do need more flair and I'd take a proper number 9
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Three at the back of Terry, Samba and Chester with Jedinak and Whelan in front of them.
Dynamic.
Doubt it. Would be Wheland and Hourihane I would have thought, as I'm not sure Bruce is a fan of Jedinak. Not a very inspiring signing, but I do hope he'll add a bit more bite in midfield.
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I doubt he'll start Whelan and Jedinak in the same midfield, well I hope not anyway.
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Three at the back of Terry, Samba and Chester with Jedinak and Whelan in front of them.
Dynamic.
You missed out Elmo and Taylor as wingbacks.
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I doubt he'll start Whelan and Jedinak in the same midfield, well I hope not anyway.
The problem is any combination of Whelan, Jedinak, Hourihane, Lansbury and Gardner is just so flat and one paced.
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We currently have so little pace, to counter that you need to move the ball quickly and have players making runs into space etc. Something we seem determined not to do. Far too often a player's second touch is the ball going backwards, or him turning his back and facing our own goal.
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I honestly don't think the problem is the combination of players in midfield, it's the fact that we almost always have 2 midfielders sat 10 yards in front of the centre backs and none of them show for the player in possession, especially if we're being pressed, it's just back, back, back, hoof (or sometimes gets intercepted). Whelan isn't a terrible player but I don't really see much difference between him and someone like Westwood, he's just anonymous.
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I can fully understand why people think this is a boring signing to go with a boring squad shaped by a boring manager.
I didn't/don't want Elmohamady but I'm o.k with Whelan coming in. He's been a decent player for Stoke and still think he's got enough to offer at this level. I imagine him and Jedinak will rotate especially with Mile having his pre season disrupted by injury so he'll probably be a doubt for the opener.
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Wish his name was Glen welan clarke
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Another sensible, and needed signing. Welcome Glenn
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I can't say I know anything about Glenn Whelan, for some reason I thought he was Jon Walters but they are two different players I take it?
I thought Bruce was a great appointment. I don't think he'll still be the Aston Villa manager in February. Bound to be Jaap Stam or the Brentford manager.
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Yeah he was the one who scored the infamous goal for Stoke in the 2-2 in 2009 that arguably started the downward spiral. He owes us a performance or two to start our climb back up the league tables.
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Just google imaged him to see who he is.
I'm none the wiser.
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He scored a great goal against Italy once and Eamon Dunphy regularly berates him.
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Good signing, welcome Glenn.
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If anyone has 10 minutes to spare read what Stoke fans think of him on Oatcake Fanzine.. Were getting a goodun..
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Does anyone what his length of contract is?
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If anyone has 10 minutes to spare read what Stoke fans think of him on Oatcake Fanzine.. Were getting a goodun..
Have you seen the posts by iloveglennwhelan? Clearly a big fan.
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Q) How do you make a one dimensional, flat, ponderous midfield even more one dimensional, flat and ponderous?
A) By signing Glenn Whealan.
He's well and truly putting his stamp on the club now, unfortunately too many people have already brought into it.
Or maybe
Q) How do you ensure the midfield doesn't crumble when Jedinak is out, while also allowing Lansbury and / or hourihane to concentrate on what we bought them for?
For some reason this has cheered me up a bit.
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He scored the goal that left me in possibly the most foul mood I've ever been in after the football.
Yes! I was watching that game in a pub in Taipei. I had to take a four hour bus back to the place I was living afterwards, too. His name just reminds me of our top 4 hopes crumbling during the 2008-09 season.
I don't think he's a bad signing, however.
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We were 5 points clear with a game in hand. Hold on, 11 to go...
It was Moscow. It was Stoke. It was Arnhem it was a bridge too far.
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What did it was our home form. That Stoke game made it 2 wins from 9 home games. By the time we won the last 2 we'd been on a run of 2 wins from 12 home games.
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We were 5 points clear with a game in hand. Hold on, 11 to go...
It was Moscow. It was Stoke.
Been rapidly downhill ever since that week.
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We had 51 points after the Blackburn game on 7th February.
We ended with 62 points on May 24th.
Even by our standards it was an extraordinary collapse in the last 3 months to even finish below Everton who were miles behind us at one point. Just the usual MON burning out the 12 regular players (Gabby had nothing left by March) and the unused squad players not being good enough.
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Does anyone what his length of contract is?
Knowing our record 5 years wouldn't be beyond the reckoning
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Welcome Glenn! If he's good enough for MON and Tony Pulis....
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We had 51 points after the Blackburn game on 7th February.
We ended with 62 points on May 24th.
Even by our standards it was an extraordinary collapse in the last 3 months to even finish below Everton who were miles behind us at one point. Just the usual MON burning out the 12 regular players (Gabby had nothing left by March) and the unused squad players not being good enough.
I walked out of that Blackburn game convinced we could make a charge at the title, never mind the top four. We'd just delivered the kind of routine swatting of a pretty strong side that suggested we were serious players.
I should know better really, I was at White Hart Lane in 1990 as well.
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If Whelan really is going to be used as a platform for us to play a 4-3-3 that frees up other midfielders to get into the box, then fair enough.
The thing is, based off what we have seen so far (preseason and most of last season), I don't have an iota of faith in Bruce to play anything other than a turgid 4-4-2 with the midfield two positioned barely in front of the back four.
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Played 30 games in top flight last year. Not an exciting signing but comfortably good enough for us and more importantly the Championship.
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Bloke at work whose Brother watches the Republic play football all over the world, says that Whelan would be a fantastic signing.
Just hope that it is only a 2 year deal, at 33 we don't want to be giving him a 3 year contract, but knowing Villa it will probably be a deal for life!
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Guy in IT at work is a stoke ST holder. He is absolutely gutted and frustrated he is leaving and Delph is coming in.
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According to his Wikipedia page GW is 33 years 6 months.
His hero was Paul McGrath, and he has a son called Jack.
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I think the only question is whether he's fallen off a cliff fitness wise
If it's a more moderate decline it looks great value to me. If he can pass the ball better than Jedinak id put him in ahead of him, definitely for home games.
Hoping they don't both play too often!
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He's an honest, grafting Dubliner like Fatty Dunne before him. Does he still score the odd scorcher from outside the box? He had quite a hit on him.
Better brace ourselves for the regular return of MON and Keane to VP as they check-out his form along with that of his new midfield sidekick and compatriot, Hoorihan.
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Guy in IT at work is a stoke ST holder. He is absolutely gutted and frustrated he is leaving and Delph is coming in.
Knows nothing of Delph then - the Delph in his last season or two at Villa became an England regular. Stupid move to man City (and injuries) cost him dear (open goal coming for anyone...).
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According to his Wikipedia page GW is 33 years 6 months.
His hero was Paul McGrath, and he has a son called Jack.
Has eastie been editing Wikipedia again?
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I am not particularly bothered one way or the other with this signing, but I do worry a bit that our midfield is so short of energy and creativity that we might as well introduce a few armchairs into it. Perhaps a hammock.
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Signed on a 2 year deal - Welcome to AVFC Glenn
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Confirmed https://www.avfc.co.uk/News/2017/07/20/transfer-news-whelan-joins
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I like his statement, very refreshing after the usual 'uum yeah it's massive' type cliched bollocks.
Welcome Glenn.
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Not a bad player, but at 33 he certainly isn't going to add anything in terms of dynamism.
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I like his statement, very refreshing after the usual 'uum yeah it's massive' type cliched bollocks.
Welcome Glenn.
That'll be battered into him before his first video interview.
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I am not particularly bothered one way or the other with this signing, but I do worry a bit that our midfield is so short of energy and creativity that we might as well introduce a few armchairs into it. Perhaps a hammock.
Yes, you could definately see Lansbury lying in a hammock on the centre circle, a leg and arm flopped over the side and a Panama hat over his face.
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Not a bad player, but at 33 he certainly isn't going to add anything in terms of dynamism.
In our team he definitely doesn't have to show any dynamism so he suits us perfectly!
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Barry Fry would be proud of us having a 45 player first team squad.
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I just do not know how a Championship club can keep paying all these players! it is ridiculous we need to move players on and quickly.
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Just asked a Stoke ST holder who I do some website work for about him and he said:
"I’ve always quite liked him mate. Does the hard graft and kept players signed to replace him out of the first 11. I wouldn’t have minded if he started our first game. My fear is we are signing no one and selling 1) our best player 2) the players who seemed to keep the team together (Walters, Whelan)."
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Stoke fans aren't suggesting he was past it as a PL player so as long as he has one more season at that level left in the tank he'll donfine for us.
FFP has clearly affected our transfers this summer along with players not being sold. So to bring in 4 for £2.5m is pretty good overall. What I'm most concerned about is what we've seen so far. We lack cohesiveness and creativity so hopefully that will come in time. We must get off to a fast start.
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Welcome to Villa Glenn I think he will do a job for us short term another with experience which is only a good thing.
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Initially massively underwhelmed but I'm now warming a bit to this. 2 years is sensible and a bit of graft and nous in the middle of the middle of the park may be no bad thing. Surely an upgrade on Gardner and we did struggle when Jedi was out.
I still wonder who's going to create goals though and we don't seem to have addressed this at all.
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Charlie Adam next hopefully
Welcome Glenn anyway , think he will be alright .
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Doesn't that make 10 Central Midfielders and 5 right backs competing for 3 spots (assuming a two man holding midfield)?
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Initially massively underwhelmed but I'm now warming a bit to this. 2 years is sensible and a bit of graft and nous in the middle of the middle of the park may be no bad thing. Surely an upgrade on Gardner and we did struggle when Jedi was out.
I still wonder who's going to create goals though and we don't seem to have addressed this at all.
The middle of the middle, that's a pretty central role.
I agree that the final purchase should be a really good left winger who can create for the front 2. Someone who can take the ball forward quickly with purpose and actually beat a man.
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He'll provide the cover that hopefully allows hourihane to get on with what he is supposed to be good at, creating chances. I've not been his biggest fan in an Ireland jersey but funnily enough I think he's a decent fit for us.
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Welcome, Glenn.
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I like Jedinack, but he can't play in a 4-4-2 effectively and looks knackered every time he plays for Australia. Hopefully Whelan can play 4-4-2 and allow Hourihane or Lansbury to get forwards more.
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Our signings this Summer aren't exactly designed to set the pulse racing are they?
That said, we looked crap without Jedinak in the side last year so if he provides cover for him then it's probably worth doing. I do wish Tshibola would be given a chance though as I think he's got that role in him.
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Initially massively underwhelmed but I'm now warming a bit to this. 2 years is sensible and a bit of graft and nous in the middle of the middle of the park may be no bad thing. Surely an upgrade on Gardner and we did struggle when Jedi was out.
I still wonder who's going to create goals though and we don't seem to have addressed this at all.
The middle of the middle, that's a pretty central role.
I agree that the final purchase should be a really good left winger who can create for the front 2. Someone who can take the ball forward quickly with purpose and actually beat a man.
Grealish?
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Surely this is the end for Gary Gardner? Like Whelan he's not got much pace and has a decent hit on him, unlike Whelan he's not proven at PL level. Sad given his early potential and local boy status.
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I can't say I know anything about Glenn Whelan, for some reason I thought he was Jon Walters but they are two different players I take it?
I thought Bruce was a great appointment. I don't think he'll still be the Aston Villa manager in February. Bound to be Jaap Stam or the Brentford manager.
I would more bet the replacement would be a "refreshed" Alladyce - god forbid
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Bruce is going for the 'tried and trusted' player route rather than developing potential. Can't blame him really as his brief is to get us up and nothing else. We have enough in our own ranks of the latter catagory in any case.
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Initially massively underwhelmed but I'm now warming a bit to this. 2 years is sensible and a bit of graft and nous in the middle of the middle of the park may be no bad thing. Surely an upgrade on Gardner and we did struggle when Jedi was out.
I still wonder who's going to create goals though and we don't seem to have addressed this at all.
The middle of the middle, that's a pretty central role.
I agree that the final purchase should be a really good left winger who can create for the front 2. Someone who can take the ball forward quickly with purpose and actually beat a man.
Grealish?
Snigger. I said 'quickly with purpose'.
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Surely this is the end for Gary Gardner? Like Whelan he's not got much pace and has a decent hit on him, unlike Whelan he's not proven at PL level. Sad given his early potential and local boy status.
You can probably add Jordan Lyden to the list too. I thought he could have shadowed Jedi and eventually made the position his own. That said, if the last two games are anything to go by Bruce sees him as more a box to box/attacking central midfielder. He's not. Maybe neither Jedi or Whelan have the legs to last a full season even if they alternate the defensive midfield role and Lyden can pick up a few minutes here and there across the season.
All that said, I'm assuming that Bruce has binned his idea of playing Jedi as a centre half?
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Stoke fans aren't suggesting he was past it as a PL player so as long as he has one more season at that level left in the tank he'll donfine for us.
FFP has clearly affected our transfers this summer along with players not being sold. So to bring in 4 for £2.5m is pretty good overall. What I'm most concerned about is what we've seen so far. We lack cohesiveness and creativity so hopefully that will come in time. We must get off to a fast start.
Problem is, how much are we paying in wages for those players. We have to get a lot of players off the books cover their wages, let alone reduce the wage bill (which is our main issue with FFP).
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You're Lyden's biggest champion on here Mark, fair play :) I've not seen him play enough to express much of an opinion on him. Looks like he will struggle to get game-time this season too.
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We had 51 points after the Blackburn game on 7th February.
We ended with 62 points on May 24th.
Even by our standards it was an extraordinary collapse in the last 3 months to even finish below Everton who were miles behind us at one point. Just the usual MON burning out the 12 regular players (Gabby had nothing left by March) and the unused squad players not being good enough.
I walked out of that Blackburn game convinced we could make a charge at the title, never mind the top four. We'd just delivered the kind of routine swatting of a pretty strong side that suggested we were serious players.
I should know better really, I was at White Hart Lane in 1990 as well.
Likewise or champs league at least
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Good signing IMO. Think his attitude means he's more of a 'young' 33 in football terms, and will be a good player at this level, a real asset.
People were more excited last year with signing the likes of Tshibola in this position, but that got us nowhere fast.
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Welcome Glenn
That's the keeper, defence and defensive midfield sorted.
We also have two of the leagues top assist/creators in Adomah and Hourihane. Plus Lansbury and Grealish should also be in that bracket if playing at their best. Green is more than capable of creating as well. I'm told the Iceman also usually chips in with a few over the course of a season as well.
And we have three PROVEN championship goalscorers, regardless of what happened last season.
Now. We can either be all doom and gloom or take all that on board and just get behind them now as far as I can see
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Welcome Glenn
That's the keeper, defence and defensive midfield sorted.
We also have two of the leagues top assist/creators in Adomah and Hourihane. Plus Lansbury and Grealish should also be in that bracket if playing at their best. Green is more than capable of creating as well. I'm told the Iceman also usually chips in with a few over the course of a season as well.
And we have three PROVEN championship goalscorers, regardless of what happened last season.
Now. We can either be all doom and gloom or take all that on board and just get behind them now as far as I can see
Throw them all into a pot, quick stir with the magic spoon, promotion guaranteed, simple. There is of course, one missing ingredient.
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A coherent plan on how to use them effectively?
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Stoke fans aren't suggesting he was past it as a PL player so as long as he has one more season at that level left in the tank he'll donfine for us.
FFP has clearly affected our transfers this summer along with players not being sold. So to bring in 4 for £2.5m is pretty good overall. What I'm most concerned about is what we've seen so far. We lack cohesiveness and creativity so hopefully that will come in time. We must get off to a fast start.
Problem is, how much are we paying in wages for those players. We have to get a lot of players off the books cover their wages, let alone reduce the wage bill (which is our main issue with FFP).
Cissokho, Sanchez, Veretout are all going hopefully with a transfer fee involved. Problem is that none of them help improve the wage bill over last season as they were all out on loan so were not on it last season.
Gil will stay off the wage bill, but no fee. Doesn't improve over last seasons finances at all, just stays the same and reduces as an asset as his transfer fee is amortised another year.
We could do with shifting some players that can fetch a fee (Amavi, Elphick, Hutton, McCormack, Gardner) and that are useless and on big wages (Richards, Gabby). I think we will probably see a Elphick and Amavi move on, maybe Hutton but probably not the rest of them. We might be able to cash in on Grealish still (though I would rather we kept our own young talent).
I hope this does not mean that we have to let someone like Kodja go in January to avoid an FFP penalty at the end of the season.
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You're Lyden's biggest champion on here Mark, fair play :) I've not seen him play enough to express much of an opinion on him. Looks like he will struggle to get game-time this season too.
Ha! I think he's nails. Great attitude, can run all day, not scared to put a foot in, a real fighter that gives everything and can play a bit. Such a shame he suffered with injury just as he was breaking into the first team. Apparently he was "teacher's pet" with RDM thinking very highly of him but since returning from injury hasn't had a look in.
I can understand the logic of Bruce bringing in Whelan even if his legs are going. We were lost without Jedi last season, so it makes sense to have cover and competition. Just as long as he's not playing them together at the same time. It will be interesting to see how he manages it. With so many games maybe there is still space for Lyden coming off the bench.
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6 goals in nearly 10 years for Stoke, he'll fit in well
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Comparison to last season:
Gollini Johnstone
Elphick Terry
Richards Samba
Amavi Taylor
Tshibola Whelan
This is a definite improvement in our solidity, surely?
On the flip side. This time last year we had ayew and now it's hogan; and we were excited about McCormack and gestede in this division
One quality attacking player please. Even a loanee
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6 goals in nearly 10 years for Stoke, he'll fit in well
His goal against us had more significance for us than any of his goals for them did for them. Appalling syntax there, but I'm sure you get my point.
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Official Stoke site has him on a two year contract.
'The 33-year-old Republic of Ireland midfielder has brought the curtain down on his nine-year career at the bet365 Stadium by signing a two-year contract with the Championship club after Villa agreed to pay an initial £1.25million, which could rise to £2million, for his services.'
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Alot of my mates watch Stoke home and away, week in week out.
They are gutted he is leaving.
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Throw them all into a pot, quick stir with the magic spoon, promotion guaranteed, simple. There is of course, one missing ingredient.
Supporters supporting them ?
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He played 30 games last year
I think it's a really good signing - provided we don't pair him with Jedinak in front of a back five . . .
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Comparison to last season:
Gollini Johnstone
Elphick Terry
Richards Samba
Amavi Taylor
Tshibola Whelan
This is a definite improvement in our solidity, surely?
On the flip side. This time last year we had ayew and now it's hogan; and we were excited about McCormack and gestede in this division
One quality attacking player please. Even a loanee
Samba isn't our player. Thankfully. He would get run ragged by any nippy strikers in this league!
If we do sign him, i'll cross my fingers it's only a last last gasp emergency freebie to come on in only the most dire of situations
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He played 30 games last year
I think it's a really good signing - provided we don't pair him with Jedinak in front of a back five . . .
Could Jedinak play behind him in a back 3?
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He played 30 games last year
I think it's a really good signing - provided we don't pair him with Jedinak in front of a back five . . .
Could Jedinak play behind him in a back 3?
Bruce tried that with some success last season, although not in a 3 IIRC. Had thought about that myself, remember Bruce saying Jedi dropping back might be something to consider, given his age.
On reflection, I think its a good signing. I don't like the idea of Hourihane and Lansbury playing as a midfield two and Jedinak can't play 46 games now.
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This reads well from Stoke fan in the Evening Mail:
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villas-glenn-whelan-remembered-13360268
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While not an exciting signing I think he'll be a pretty decent signing. Assuming he doesn't get crocked after 3 games!
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Happy with this one. You need solid, hard midfielders in the championship.
Know a couple of Stokeys, like others on here have said, they're gutted he's left them.
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Welcome Glenn. Don't be shit.
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Solid signing. We've pulled him out of their first team. We did the same to Jedinak. Both Palace and Stoke fans respectively were gutted to lose them (despite the advancing years). He's going to dominate in this division. He's still in very good nick. You need a solid base to allow our more exciting players to have more freedom. We were fucked when Jedinak didn't play last season as our midfield turned to warm butter and you can't expect Jedi to play 46 games.
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Surely this is the end for Gary Gardner? Like Whelan he's not got much pace and has a decent hit on him, unlike Whelan he's not proven at PL level. Sad given his early potential and local boy status.
I don't think it will be, didn't he sign a lengthy contract last season?
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He'll provide the cover that hopefully allows hourihane to get on with what he is supposed to be good at, creating chances. I've not been his biggest fan in an Ireland jersey but funnily enough I think he's a decent fit for us.
Glenn is a solid pro fair enough but will add zero with regards to taking the ball off the back four. Definitely a pointer in that regard. Solid positional play, picking up breaks etc but I dread to think of the football we will play if he is partnered with Jedinak.
It might suggest Bruce is considering direct football this season, with Elmo in aswell but that certainly won't suit some of the better footballers in the squad, some of which were signed in Jan.
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Alot of my mates watch Stoke home and away, week in week out.
They are gutted he is leaving.
Erm..doesn't Ads go home and away, week in week out?
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Welcome Glenn, give 100% when you play wearing the Villa shirt please.
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From an Irish family i take a keen interest in the boys in green and Glen Whelan has never let the side down always looks happy to play and is a better footballer than a lot of people think, in my humble opinion
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Welcome Glenn.
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Comparison to last season:
Gollini Johnstone
Elphick Terry
Richards Samba
Amavi Taylor
Tshibola Whelan
This is a definite improvement in our solidity, surely?
On the flip side. This time last year we had ayew and now it's hogan; and we were excited about McCormack and gestede in this division
One quality attacking player please. Even a loanee
Samba isn't our player. Thankfully. He would get run ragged by any nippy strikers in this league!
If we do sign him, i'll cross my fingers it's only a last last gasp emergency freebie to come on in only the most dire of situations
How many nippy strikers run Baker and Chester ragged last season?
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There isn't that many but that Reading guy had a really good game at VP and Jota at Brentford ran the show at Griffin Park.
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I can't really remember him being a holding midfielder, more a player who would play in a two. It will be interesting to see what Bruce does with the midfield this season. Will he go with a flat two, one holding with two more advanced or two holding with one in front of them?
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About time we had a few nasty bastards at the club.
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Top signing. Well done Stevie Bruce. Exactly the kind of player we need.
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Welcome Glenn, give 100% when you play wearing the Villa shirt please.
This please
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About time we had a few nasty bastards at the club.
There's plenty on here for starters (winky thing)
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I tell you what, this "holding the shirt while already dressed in full kit" business is really doing my head in.
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I tell you what, this "holding the shirt while already dressed in full kit" business is really doing my head in.
This made me laugh.
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Top signing. Well done Stevie Bruce. Exactly the kind of player we need.
Agreed
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To be fair most Stoke fans are a mixture of the following- Too slow for the top flight to be fully effective now but fantastic work rate, positioning, decent on the ball, brilliant professional and a battler.
I can see Bruce playing him in a 2 with Jedinak
Johnstone
Terry Samba Chester
Elmohamady Taylor
Jedinak Whelan
Hourihane Lansbury
Hogan Kodjia
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To be fair most Stoke fans are a mixture of the following- Too slow for the top flight to be fully effective now but fantastic work rate, positioning, decent on the ball, brilliant professional and a battler.
I can see Bruce playing him in a 2 with Jedinak
Johnstone
Terry Samba Chester
Elmohamady Taylor
Jedinak Whelan
Hourihane Lansbury
Hogan Kodjia
These sort of formations require outstanding wingbacks. I don't think ours are good enough. If Amavi had fulfilled his promise he could have been perfect and I wonder if we should persist with him if this is the plan.
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I'll leave it to someone else to point out what's wrong with that line-up. ;)
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To be fair most Stoke fans are a mixture of the following- Too slow for the top flight to be fully effective now but fantastic work rate, positioning, decent on the ball, brilliant professional and a battler.
I can see Bruce playing him in a 2 with Jedinak
Johnstone
Terry Samba Chester
Elmohamady Taylor
Jedinak Whelan
Hourihane Lansbury
Hogan Kodjia
If it is to be a back three, I could see something like:
Johnstone
Chester Samba Terry
Elmohamady Whelan Hourihane Taylor
Lansbury / Grealish
New signing Kodjia / Hogan
When everyone is fit, I would prefer to see:
Johnstone
De Laet Chester Terry Taylor
Whelan
Lansbury Hourihane
Elmohamady New Signing Kodjia
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I'll leave it to someone else to point out what's wrong with that line-up. ;)
Is it possible only you and I noticed?
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I'll leave it to someone else to point out what's wrong with that line-up. ;)
Is it possible only you and I noticed?
I noticed as well.
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I'll leave it to someone else to point out what's wrong with that line-up. ;)
Is it possible only you and I noticed?
I think it is :D.
Bruce should try it anyway, see how long we can get away with it for, we might actually dominate a few games with an extra man on the pitch.
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I'll leave it to someone else to point out what's wrong with that line-up. ;)
Is it possible only you and I noticed?
I noticed as well.
You're all coming out of the woodwork now.
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I'll leave it to someone else to point out what's wrong with that line-up. ;)
Is it possible only you and I noticed?
Maybe refs won't either.
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I'll leave it to someone else to point out what's wrong with that line-up. ;)
Is it possible only you and I noticed?
I noticed as well.
Shhhhhh don't tell the FA - we might just get away with it ;)
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My biggest concern (other than Bruce being inept) is that if we fill our team with aging players to get us out the changes needed if we ever get back to the Premiership will be huge
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I'll leave it to someone else to point out what's wrong with that line-up. ;)
Is it possible only you and I noticed?
I noticed as well.
Shhhhhh don't tell the FA - we might just get away with it ;)
Why not? We have tried everything else.
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I can't really remember him being a holding midfielder, more a player who would play in a two. It will be interesting to see what Bruce does with the midfield this season. Will he go with a flat two, one holding with two more advanced or two holding with one in front of them?
I think Bruce has tended to play with two deeper players, whether in a 352 or 442 or 4411. E.g. Huddlestone and Livermore
But I think he might rotate between two more defensive minded and including the likes of hourihane or lansbury in those positions at home
But i think it's what he does with the attack that will dictate our formation(s) this season and I'm still guessing there
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My biggest concern (other than Bruce being inept) is that if we fill our team with aging players to get us out the changes needed if we ever get back to the Premiership will be huge
My biggest concern is getting there in the first place.
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I'll leave it to someone else to point out what's wrong with that line-up. ;)
It needs a couple more attackers? ;o)
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I'll leave it to someone else to point out what's wrong with that line-up. ;)
Is it possible only you and I noticed?
I noticed as well.
Shhhhhh don't tell the FA - we might just get away with it ;)
We would have too if it wasn't for you pesky kids.
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And the opposition managers after match press conf "That was tough, it was like Villa had an xxxx xxx"
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I'll leave it to someone else to point out what's wrong with that line-up. ;)
Is it possible only you and I noticed?
I noticed as well.
You're all coming out of the woodwork now.
We're making a move, we're making it now, we're coming out of the sidelines!
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Just had a word with Bruce and explained to him that his preferred formation has 12 players. He didn't notice either, anyway he said we're transfer listing Whelan as of today.
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One thing I will say is we appear to at last be buying proper men to bully teams in this division. I think it could be quite interesting to watch.
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I would imagine a team with Terry, Samba, Whelan and Jedi in the starting 11 would make up for their lack of speed by flattening all the outfield players of the opposition. We won't score though. If those 4 can't keep the rest of the team on their feet we might as well give up.
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Is there a brute striker we can buy to go with the rest of our new heavyweight spine?
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Is there a brute striker we can buy to go with the rest of our new heavyweight spine?
Adebayo Akinfenwa.
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Chester, Samba and Terry - The good the badass and the ugly. We are going to let a lot less goals in than a 3 of Chester, Baker/Richards and Elphick would.
Whelan can actually play in a midfield 2 with a more attacking player, or in a 3-5-2 with Jedinak and Hourihane, or in 4-3-3 in that sense it opens up the ability to play three formations without having a horrible balance in midfield. Before it was like trying to make a jigsaw with pieces from three different puzzles.
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Is there a brute striker we can buy to go with the rest of our new heavyweight spine?
Adebayo Akinfenwa.
What's Grant Holt doing these days ?
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Can we stop all talk of playing Whelan and Jedi together please. Especially in front of a back 5. I can't imagine a more depressingly defensive formation than that. The introduction of Terry and Whelan should be freeing us up to play more attacking players, not fewer.
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Agreed Ad@m. The reason we bought players like Lansbury and Hourihane is that they liked to get forward. We need to provide them the ability to do that and get them attacking and not play so deep and be concerned with defence duties.
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Johnstone
Bree Samba Terry Taylor
Elmo Angela Whelan Conor Amavi
Hogan Kodja
No idea if that would work.
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Actually what I have just put is balls.
Johnstone
Bree Samba Terry Chester Taylor
Angela Whelan Hourihane
Hogan Kodija
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Kippax it was balls and had 12 players!!
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Johnstone
Bree Samba Terry Taylor
Elmo Angela Whelan Conor Amavi
Hogan Kodja
No idea if that would work.
A new banner in the Holte End and we can have 13. Promotion guaranteed.
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Agreed Ad@m. The reason we bought players like Lansbury and Hourihane is that they liked to get forward. We need to provide them the ability to do that and get them attacking and not play so deep and be concerned with defence duties.
Lets get Adama back and run riot.
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Is there a brute striker we can buy to go with the rest of our new heavyweight spine?
Ulloa is the one I like at villa or even afobe who is big man
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Is there a brute striker we can buy to go with the rest of our new heavyweight spine?
Ulloa is the one I like at villa or even afobe who is big man
According to my Leeds supporting mate, we can have Chris Wood for £15m.
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Is there a brute striker we can buy to go with the rest of our new heavyweight spine?
Ulloa is the one I like at villa or even afobe who is big man
According to my Leeds supporting mate, we can have Chris Woods for £15m.
He's getting on a bit now, but he'd still probably give Bunn a run for his money.
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Is there a brute striker we can buy to go with the rest of our new heavyweight spine?
Ulloa is the one I like at villa or even afobe who is big man
According to my Leeds supporting mate, we can have Chris Woods for £15m.
He's getting on a bit now, but he'd still probably give Bunn a run for his money.
Well I heard he was off to forest though don't think so myself can't see the woods for the trees
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Is there a brute striker we can buy to go with the rest of our new heavyweight spine?
Ulloa is the one I like at villa or even afobe who is big man
According to my Leeds supporting mate, we can have Chris Woods for £15m.
He's getting on a bit now, but he'd still probably give Bunn a run for his money.
**snigger**
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Is there a brute striker we can buy to go with the rest of our new heavyweight spine?
Ulloa is the one I like at villa or even afobe who is big man
According to my Leeds supporting mate, we can have Chris Woods for £15m.
He's getting on a bit now, but he'd still probably give Bunn a run for his money.
Took me longer than it should have.
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Is that Frank Bunn?
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Epic fail on team selection.
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Q) How do you make a one dimensional, flat, ponderous midfield even more one dimensional, flat and ponderous?
A) By signing Glenn Whealan.
He's well and truly putting his stamp on the club now, unfortunately too many people have already brought into it.
Or maybe
Q) How do you ensure the midfield doesn't crumble when Jedinak is out, while also allowing Lansbury and / or hourihane to concentrate on what we bought them for?
For some reason this has cheered me up a bit.
Whelan has been a good consistent playe in the Prem....and he ain't got a sicknote..he'll start ahead of Jedinak
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Whelan is a solid player who has been comfortably good enough in the top flight. He'll be fine.
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Don't have a massave problem with this either. Don't think he should be starting every game, but he's a good enough pro with the experience to add something to the team and squad when he does appear. Won't set the world on fire, but think he's a solid hand who might score a few goals too.
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Whelan is a solid player who has been comfortably good enough in the top flight. He'll be fine.
It's not greatly exciting but when you look at our sides in the last 6-7 years, we've woefully lacked commitment. One thing we can say now, is that with Chester, Hutton, Terry, Jedinak and Whelan, is that we've got a grouping of players who won't shirk. There's 3-4 others you could hopefully put into that camp and a selection of youngsters you would hope become inspired to do the same.
We're not going to set the world alight, but hopefully we'll see the last of game upon game of gutless performances. And indeed, if the solid base we've now got means that Hourihane, Green, Grealish etc can express themselves with a little more freedom, that will help address the front end of the pitch. In a weird way, having a solid defensive base you can rely upon should in theory make us less negative on the pitch. Should...
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I've only just realised that I have been mixing up Whelan with Dean Whitehead who is now at Huddersfield.
I feel a lot happier about his signing now.
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If he manages to repeat yesterday's performance on a regular basis we'll have got ourselves an absolute bargain. A proper midfielder running around Villa Park like he owns it.
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Was impressed by what I've seen. He's better on the ball than I thought, we do lack someone who can win the ball back and move in on quickly, he seems very capable of doing this.
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Liked what I saw
Much much better passer than Jedinak, who was a rock last season but also a problem (awful passing, meant we had to play three in midfield)
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If Hourihane and Lansbury could work as hard and contribute as much as Whelan then we'd have a very strong midfield.
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Looked really good. He gave the impression he is one of those players who just isnt going to do something stupid. Not only that but he tackles and passes very well.
We have been missing someone like him for a while.
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I think good signing for where we are at.
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Such a massive disappointment so far
I'm just hoping he finds his feet after a few games like Jedinak did
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I think good signing for where we are at.
Trapdoor?
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Oohhh what a feeling, when you start with Glenn Whelan!
Need to get that song going properly at Brizzle. About time we had some new player songs.
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Thought he did well today, kept it simple most of the time and won the ball a fair few times.
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I've been pleased with what I've seen of him in the home games. I'd like to see his running stats as he gets round the midfield a lot. His range of passing is impressive and positive, helped today by having a proper target man to aim at.
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Great game. Mopped up in front of defence. Played a lot of quick balls to change defence into attack
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Great game. Mopped up in front of defence. Played a lot of quick balls to change defence into attack
Good point.
There are games when mopping up and progressive quick balls are needed, and other times when cruching tackles and winning aerial contests are more important. The top defensive midfielders have it all, but they are usually in the top divisions.
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Great game. Mopped up in front of defence. Played a lot of quick balls to change defence into attack
Good point.
There are games when mopping up and progressive quick balls are needed, and other times when cruching tackles and winning aerial contests are more important. The top defensive midfielders have it all, but they are usually in the top divisions.
Agreed. Right now he's been asked to do too much. Get those in front of him putting in a shift and I think he'll conduct the game. He's no spring chicken but his experience is priceless. We just need to use it correctly.
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As much as we've bemoaned the lack of attacking football, it's also true we had a weak underbelly away from home all last season; and we've conceded a lot of goals already this
I reckon Whelan and Jedi will start together in a lot of away games maybe starting with Bristol
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Just listened to the Guardian podcast where they discussed the Ireland game. One of the journalist made the point that in the Irish press, it is being discussed, " What is the point of Glenn Whelan? " as they say he doesn't screen the back four. Wonder how long till that's being discussed on here ?
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I would expect Jedinak to be taking his place anyway sometime soon. Not sure what the point was in signing him, I would have gone for someone a bit younger myself with potential sell on value.
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I would expect Jedinak to be taking his place anyway sometime soon
I hope you're right (starting with the Brentford game)
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I think he's been okay so far, played well against Norwich anyway.
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Is he on a 1 or 2 year deal?
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I think he's been okay so far, played well against Norwich anyway.
Me too. He went missing against Hull second half, we were universally rank from 20 minutes on at Cardiff, but beyond that, he's done fine.
I have absolutely no interest in how well he plays for Ireland.
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How about if he forges a good partnership in green with Hourihane? Might have a good knock-on effect at club level.
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Fair enough he may, but I've never been concerned about how our players get on internationally.
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I think he's been okay so far, played well against Norwich anyway.
Me too. He went missing against Hull second half, we were universally rank from 20 minutes on at Cardiff, but beyond that, he's done fine.
I have absolutely no interest in how well he plays for Ireland.
It became immediately clear that he hasn't got the legs to play in a two man midfield. He has been fine playing in the holding role with Onomah and Hourihane in front of him though and is far better on the ball than Jedinak.
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I've been a bit underwhelmed - tho agree he's a much better passer than Jedinak
I had hoped we'd finally actually be able to play a two man midfield
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I literally could not believe how poor Glen Whelan was. Part of it might that he's been asked to do too much, but even so he was utterly dreadful today.
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He looked knackered. International football and being asked to run around like a headless chicken out of position for 90 minutes is too much for him. What happened to the composed ball winner that we all saw on his debut, running the shop rather than chasing shadows?
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I literally could not believe how poor Glen Whelan was. Part of it might that he's been asked to do too much, but even so he was utterly dreadful today.
100% agree.
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Whelan is nothing. A nothing sort of player. Adds nothing to the team and far too old to be playing for us.
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Bit worrying as I would say of our options at the club Whelan-Hourihane-Onomah is our most balanced midfield trio at the club.
For Whelan to work effectively he needs legs around him and Onomah currently provides that.
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He was like an oil tanker turning around in that midfield today.
I hope we're not paying him lots of money to do that.
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Whelan is nothing. A nothing sort of player. Adds nothing to the team and far too old to be playing for us.
Mate, I watched Huddlestone last night. The same sort of player at this stage of his career. No pace, you wonder what he's there for? Then you realize he is simply asked to keep the play moving. Not asked to run around. To chase balls. He is just asked to a job based on his ability and limitations, and he does it well. Whelan was asked to do the job of a 25 year old, in his defence. What I was amazed about was how inaccurate he was in his passing, how indecisive he was in his decision making, how off the pace he was in his football knowledge.
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Lescotted. A year past his sell bye date.
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Lescotted. A year past his sell bye date.
Gabbed superseded Lescotted as an adjective some while ago.
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Every manager makes one cock up with a purchase, Whelan along with Hogan I dare to add is Bruce's
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Every manager makes one cock up with a purchase, Whelan along with Hogan I dare to add is Bruce's
Whelan, Hogan, Terry, Lansbury, Elmohamady, Bjarnason...
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My only hope with Whelan is that Jedinak was terrible at this stage last season
Maybe he'll grow into it
But I'd definitely play Jedi v boro
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Whelan is nothing. A nothing sort of player. Adds nothing to the team and far too old to be playing for us.
Mate, I watched Huddlestone last night. The same sort of player at this stage of his career. No pace, you wonder what he's there for? Then you realize he is simply asked to keep the play moving. Not asked to run around. To chase balls. He is just asked to a job based on his ability and limitations, and he does it well. Whelan was asked to do the job of a 25 year old, in his defence. What I was amazed about was how inaccurate he was in his passing, how indecisive he was in his decision making, how off the pace he was in his football knowledge.
It was embarrassing how easily Brentford kids got in there before him despite being a couple of yards ahead of them. He is ponderous both in body and mind.
Sorry you had to watch a shit game on your return but this is what we have been seeing at VP since last October😥
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A poor man's Ashley Westwood.
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A poor man's Ashley Westwood.
Jesus. Is he that bad?
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Whelan is nothing. A nothing sort of player. Adds nothing to the team and far too old to be playing for us.
Mate, I watched Huddlestone last night. The same sort of player at this stage of his career. No pace, you wonder what he's there for? Then you realize he is simply asked to keep the play moving. Not asked to run around. To chase balls. He is just asked to a job based on his ability and limitations, and he does it well. Whelan was asked to do the job of a 25 year old, in his defence. What I was amazed about was how inaccurate he was in his passing, how indecisive he was in his decision making, how off the pace he was in his football knowledge.
It was embarrassing how easily Brentford kids got in there before him despite being a couple of yards ahead of them. He is ponderous both in body and mind.
Sorry you had to watch a shit game on your return but this is what we have been seeing at VP since last October😥
October 2010, that is.
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Whelan is nothing. A nothing sort of player. Adds nothing to the team and far too old to be playing for us.
Mate, I watched Huddlestone last night. The same sort of player at this stage of his career. No pace, you wonder what he's there for? Then you realize he is simply asked to keep the play moving. Not asked to run around. To chase balls. He is just asked to a job based on his ability and limitations, and he does it well. Whelan was asked to do the job of a 25 year old, in his defence. What I was amazed about was how inaccurate he was in his passing, how indecisive he was in his decision making, how off the pace he was in his football knowledge.
If he was portrayed as a player in a remake of the football match from Bedknobs And Broomsticks, based on what I've seen of him in a Villa shirt, he'd be a slug.
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Same as Elmohamady - simply not good enough.
Looks like another one stealing a living
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He's another one who probably should have been left out yesterday after playing for Ireland. He tried his best to break up the play and he succeeded at times but overall, an off day like the rest of them bar the keeper.
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Not an off day. When the off days are more common than good days. Playing poor is the rule not the exception.
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Not an off day. When the off days are more common than good days. Playing poor is the rule not the exception.
An off day as in all of them together were shite. Normally you get one or two stinking the place out. Yesterday they were all poor.
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Whelan has played 6 games for us. Brentford showed more desire in midfield and won nearly every 50/50 ball. So not just whelan having an off day. I'd have whelan in the side above jedinak as I believe he offers more to the team.
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Not an off day. When the off days are more common than good days. Playing poor is the rule not the exception.
An off day as in all of them together were shite. Normally you get one or two stinking the place out. Yesterday they were all poor.
Like against Reading and Cardiff?
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Not an off day. When the off days are more common than good days. Playing poor is the rule not the exception.
An off day as in all of them together were shite. Normally you get one or two stinking the place out. Yesterday they were all poor.
Like against Reading and Cardiff?
Yep, they were all shite then as well.
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Not an off day. When the off days are more common than good days. Playing poor is the rule not the exception.
An off day as in all of them together were shite. Normally you get one or two stinking the place out. Yesterday they were all poor.
Like against Reading and Cardiff?
Yep, they were all shite then as well.
So the entire team have had off days in 50% of our league games so far?
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Not an off day. When the off days are more common than good days. Playing poor is the rule not the exception.
An off day as in all of them together were shite. Normally you get one or two stinking the place out. Yesterday they were all poor.
Like against Reading and Cardiff?
Yep, they were all shite then as well.
So the entire team have had off days in 50% of our league games so far?
I thought they were crap yesterday, crap against Reading and fucking crap against Cardiff. I'm not sure what else you want me to say?
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He's another one who probably should have been left out yesterday after playing for Ireland. He tried his best to break up the play and he succeeded at times but overall, an off day like the rest of them bar the keeper.
Agree with that. Knowing we have a game on Tuesday night, he really should have been rested. The other point is he is not being used correctly by Bruce who needs to focus on what Whelan does well, defensive midfielder that shields the defence and can distribute a ball either long or short. Expecting him to run around all day chasing shadows is a complete waste of his talent nevermind his energy.
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Not an off day. When the off days are more common than good days. Playing poor is the rule not the exception.
An off day as in all of them together were shite. Normally you get one or two stinking the place out. Yesterday they were all poor.
Like against Reading and Cardiff?
Yep, they were all shite then as well.
So the entire team have had off days in 50% of our league games so far?
I thought they were crap yesterday, crap against Reading and fucking crap against Cardiff. I'm not sure what else you want me to say?
My point is it isn't really an off day if they all play shit the majority of the time. We've had arguably 2 good halves of football out of 12.
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I thought Whelan was very 50/50 yesterday. Actually did a lot of good things but also a lot of ponderous bad things
Chester was shocking as well mind, and don't start me on Elmo
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Chester has been really bad from what I've seen this season
I'd play Samba on Tuesday especially against gestede (if fit)
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Good grief
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Chester has been really bad from what I've seen this season
I'd play Samba on Tuesday especially against gestede (if fit)
Samba hasn't been fit since about 2009.
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Not an off day. When the off days are more common than good days. Playing poor is the rule not the exception.
An off day as in all of them together were shite. Normally you get one or two stinking the place out. Yesterday they were all poor.
Like against Reading and Cardiff?
Yep, they were all shite then as well.
So the entire team have had off days in 50% of our league games so far?
I thought they were crap yesterday, crap against Reading and fucking crap against Cardiff. I'm not sure what else you want me to say?
Just say it's your fault Clampy. That will do it.
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Not an off day. When the off days are more common than good days. Playing poor is the rule not the exception.
An off day as in all of them together were shite. Normally you get one or two stinking the place out. Yesterday they were all poor.
Like against Reading and Cardiff?
Yep, they were all shite then as well.
So the entire team have had off days in 50% of our league games so far?
I thought they were crap yesterday, crap against Reading and fucking crap against Cardiff. I'm not sure what else you want me to say?
Just say it's your fault Clampy. That will do it.
FFS Clampy.
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I’ve watched him the last two games and considering the physical battle he withstood on Sunday and tonight’s performance he deserves a lot of praise. Very protective of the back four and not a hoofballer in possession.
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He played well tonight
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I’ve watched him the last two games and considering the physical battle he withstood on Sunday and tonight’s performance he deserves a lot of praise. Very protective of the back four and not a hoofballer in possession.
He's been top drawer the last week. Two different types of game but he's been excellent in both. He came out looking like Bruce Willis at the end of every Die Hard film at the weekend. Today wasn't as physically demanding but he marshalled everything well and nullified their threats. Very solid indeed.
He seems to have settled into the club now. Hopefully he keeps it up because he's a class apart at this level. Along with Terry, and some quality young players throughout the side, I think we'll be a good bet for pushing into the top 2. Xmas is key and how the legs of Terry, Whelan etc hold out.
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He does the simple things and he does them very well. And Jedinak is a great player to bring on to kill a game off.
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He’s been much better with Onomah beside him. Not having to do more than just break up play and be a nuisance. Before he was doing way too much, was unfit and making a lot of errors. Much improved.
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He goes about his business without much fuss stays out of the limelight and does the job which is asked of him played well recently.
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Starting to really come good now. He'd be in my best starting 11 even with everyone fit. Id play him alongside Jedinak with Hourahane, Adomah and Kodjia further forward playing off Davis.
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It's counter intuitive but in the last two games, once we've brought Jedi in alongside Whelan, we've actually stepped up our attacking
Might be a coincidence, or perhaps they form an impenetrable barrier that allows us to break from higher up the pitch?
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I like the Whelan, Jedinak combo. Would love to see Albert, Hourihane and Kodjia playing off Davis. Snodgrass, Onomah and Grealish as back up. What a decent side.
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I work with a Stoke fan. He was absolutely gutted that Whelan left, and keeps showing me the form for Stoke and villa since he left. Hard working, and he takes the hits ok
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I think Glenn Whelan does a thankless job for us. There. I’ve said it
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When they both play it allows the attacking 4 to move 15 yards further up the pitch.
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Still not sure about him playing in a two man midfield and not sure about him and Jedinak starting a game together. Either of those two playing the defensive midfield role in a three man midfield would be fine though, especially away from home.
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Honestly......I just don’t think he’s very good.
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He's still a crap box to box midfielder. Once again, Hourihane was dropping deep whilst Old Man Glenn went chasing the ball.
Well done, Steve.
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Excellent second half v Leeds
Excellent v Ipswich
Not getting enough credit at the moment
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He's still a crap box to box midfielder. Once again, Hourihane was dropping deep whilst Old Man Glenn went chasing the ball.
Well done, Steve.
10 points out of the last 12 I make it though.
Well done, Steve.
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As for Whelan, I think he's been decent so far. You need players are going to sit deep and break up play and he's good at that.
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Never hides, just stays on the ball for too long and that is where he makes his mistakes. The only player of suitable standard we have though to cover that position just in front of the back four.
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Never hides, just stays on the ball for too long and that is where he makes his mistakes. The only player of suitable standard we have though to cover that position just in front of the back four.
That is true and you could say the same of Snodgrass. If we allow the opposition to press us and then play too deep, any midfielder in this division will be found wanting. The spirit is willing but they don't have the chops.
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Snodgrass is limited, thats the major difference. Whelan needs some credit having to play in front of Samba at the moment, its not as if he is being spoon fed.
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Apart from the mistake still one of our best performers today.
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Snodgrass is limited, thats the major difference. Whelan needs some credit having to play in front of Samba at the moment, its not as if he is being spoon fed.
Snodgrass hasn't been to good has he? Feel a bit for Whelan tbh
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Whelan had a brain close down for one moment today, that cost us big, but up to then and to be fair afterwards he still did a decent job, he will never get much attention for what he does right, only for what he does wrong, he is our water carrier, problem being we do not have anything that he can pass the water onto.
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Actually, we have Jack.
The problem then is that he has no-one to pass the ball onto; literally, for the first hour yesterday!
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Just listened to Stevie's post Sunderland comments. He said Whelan's calf injury is 'nasty' and he could be out for 'weeks'.
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Just listened to Stevie's post Sunderland comments. He said Whelan's calf injury is 'nasty' and he could be out for 'weeks'.
To be fair, Whelan should be third choice behind Jedi and Thor anyway.
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Snodgrass is limited, thats the major difference. Whelan needs some credit having to play in front of Samba at the moment, its not as if he is being spoon fed.
😯
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Just listened to Stevie's post Sunderland comments. He said Whelan's calf injury is 'nasty' and he could be out for 'weeks'.
To be fair, Whelan should be third choice behind Jedi and Thor anyway.
For Wolves I hope he goes with the latter, we need the legs.
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balls in a bag for me
Midfielders the lot of them together don’t amount to much no matter which ones play
apart from the wonder boy obvs
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Well, for a start they can have Glenn Whelan, he's a Glenn Whelan type player
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-transfer-news-gossip-1550474
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1st match of season was fit willing and able . I think he was a great performer and used wisely plays the part well . However Bruce must also leave him out when necessary and be ruthless with the midfield at times this season
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Agree
Starting with Wigan at home where bjarnason should play - assuming he's still here
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Our best player against Hull, but I wouldn't start him at home.
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Yes I agree today v wigan a more dynamic approach needed however I feel Bruce will play with whelan today .
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Our best player against Hull, but I wouldn't start him at home.
I think he might get this Ipswich game again away from home
Feel he started season well
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Yeah I'd have thought so
But he played against Yeovil with bjarnason and jedinak rested so I'd assume it's one of them
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Another solid performance by Whelan and does what he does .
Worked well in midfield with the Mcginzemann or Mcginesta however we call him .
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Did well tonight.
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He played really well last night, fair play to him.
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Has he got two games a week in his legs though? Good performance tonight up to 70 mins when he seemed to tire. I’d have no hesitation in playing Thor on Saturday.
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Whelan was excellent last night.
He has suddenly become far more positive with his passes being made quicker and (mainly) forwards.
I wish he was brave enough to shoot though. He was in a great position twice in the second half and backed off.
This midfield set up Jack and Mcginniesta suits him though.
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Has the passing for me to play at the base of that midfield 3. Always looks better when players are given him options. Gets a lot of criticism for playing back to the defence but often it retains the ball when there is usually no movement ahead of him.
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Excellent again last night.
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I've moaned about him in the past, but he was really good last night, anticipated their play really well and made some really good passes. Could be important in some away games, but I wouldn't always play him at home against the lesser teams.
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I've moaned about him in the past, but he was really good last night, anticipated their play really well and made some really good passes. Could be important in some away games, but I wouldn't always play him at home against the lesser teams.
Agree with that but I understood why he played him last night and yes, he had a really good game.
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Definitely Clampy, I'd have Brentford as one of the better sides. I wouldn't play him on Sat for example, id bring Hourihane in.
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I'd play Bjarnasson ahead of Hourihane in a two with McGinn.
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Starts today v Sheff utd for me
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Kept his passing accuracy at 90% yesterday v Norwich did simple things and feel he will be used by Smith in keeping ball and moving whilst allowing other midfielders to express themselves
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Glenn Whelan cited in the Press conference before QPR "covered highest distance for a while" and showed "hunger, desire, enthusiasm"
Fair play to Whelan clearly showing signs he's performing to abilities .
Hard working and enthusiastic thing he's one smithy will look to include on regular basis , fine to rotate as knows his role and a dependable pro.
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It’s a lonely road you are travelling on footyskillz.
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Just saying till end of season he's out of contract but can be used effectively and Whelan epitomizes what he wants from a midfielder in his position as does mcginn . Smithy cited him and name checked him for praise outside of any other in the press conference anyone else mentioned he was asked about .
Just going on what Smith likes as qualities and he's had great passing stats too.
He's a valued member of squad I feel and think Deano does too.
Just don't give him pens
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I know I’m going to get pelters for this but sod it.....
We all know he isn’t the type of player we really want and Ian Taylor he certainly isn’t , but the bloke is a limited but thoroughly honest pro who always works his nuts off for us. He lasted the course today and was just what we wanted to grind out an ugly win. Give the guy a break some people ....!
Let the abuse begin.... :)
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It's not abuse. I think he's a massively limited footballer that changes the way we play because he likes to sit deep. But he's no longer the player he was 10 years ago and because of his lack of pace and age, he cannot be as dynamic as he once was. Thus when he plays we play deeper and it's not helped by having Hourihane and McGinn in there who are better suited to that role because they are also able to get forward faster. I don't have a massive issue when he comes on late, but as a starting option I don't like it. Next game, I am hoping BB gets the start because he will at least push forward a bit more.
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Agree TV , I think potentially BB is a much better player and please don’t get me wrong , I’d rather watch Jack G , SJM and someone like Ryan Woods or James Maddison pinging it around in triangles for fun all day long in midfield. However occasionally I do admire effort, honesty and professionalism and if sometimes to get results fugly, sweaty and grinding it out does it , then that’s good enough for me. And Ben Dover. Allegedly .... ;)
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Whelan adds absolutely nothing. He isn't great in the air, great in the tackle, great at passing, quick at closing down and neither does he really protect the back four. This is one of those signings that simply hasn't worked out and for me, he is the player we most need to replace in our midfield. He is ok, but in a season where ok will not get you promoted, ok is not good enough.
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Just fuck off
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I honestly don't think he's as bad as made out this season.
However bringing him on a game when you're 1 down is bonkers and when he makes an error for the penalty you just leave yourselve open to all sorts of criticism I'm afraid.
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enough already
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He's fucking shit. Absolute, fucking shit.
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Thank god he’s out of contract come June
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I honestly don't think he's as bad as made out this season.
However bringing him on a game when you're 1 down is bonkers and when he makes an error for the penalty you just leave yourselve open to all sorts of criticism I'm afraid.
Yeah, I'm with you on both the points you make.
And: Hourihane has been so remittingly bad that any other midfielder is having to do the work of others; accentuating any mistakes made.
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the only people responsible for this mess is successive owners and managers of the club. Whenever I saw something dire when I was in marketing - particularly advertising - I never blamed the agency, it was the client for accepting shite. NSWE need to be as tough here as they are in every other business they have an interest in.
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I honestly don't think he's as bad as made out this season.
However bringing him on a game when you're 1 down is bonkers and when he makes an error for the penalty you just leave yourselve open to all sorts of criticism I'm afraid.
Yeah, I'm with you on both the points you make.
And: Hourihane has been so remittingly bad that any other midfielder is having to do the work of others; accentuating any mistakes made.
Exactly
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the only people responsible for this mess is successive owners and managers of the club. Whenever I saw something dire when I was in marketing - particularly advertising - I never blamed the agency, it was the client for accepting shite. NSWE need to be as tough here as they are in every other business they have an interest in.
When you say need to be tough, what do you mean?
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Thing is I don’t think it’s that he’s terrible or doesn’t try or anything, but he’s completely unsuited to Smith’s gameplan and he completely undermines that style of play.
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Powderpuff that's our midfield not one of them can tackle so they get bullied every game. What is Terry doing? I thought he would have some influence to improve our defence but we are worse than ever. Smith needs to get two or three in and at the same time offload some of the rubbish, easier said than done.
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With the alarming lack of options in midfield, giving Doyle Hayes a few minutes if and when fit must make more sense than giving minutes to Whelan, or even BB who form has plummeted in recent times. As others have said, Whelan isn't terrible but his lack of mobility and tendency to pass backwards or sideways won't suit Smiths way of playing.
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It's not abuse. I think he's a massively limited footballer that changes the way we play because he likes to sit deep. But he's no longer the player he was 10 years ago and because of his lack of pace and age, he cannot be as dynamic as he once was. Thus when he plays we play deeper and it's not helped by having Hourihane and McGinn in there who are better suited to that role because they are also able to get forward faster. I don't have a massive issue when he comes on late, but as a starting option I don't like it. Next game, I am hoping BB gets the start because he will at least push forward a bit more.
Whelan was never dynamic I'm afraid, even 10 years ago. Used to last the 90mins a lot better obviously but always had the same limitations. Did a solid job for Pulis at Stoke and arguably Trappatonis Ireland but had a very defined role in never getting beyond the ball and staying within 10-15 yards of the centre halves.
What worries me all season with him in that he has been pushing forward quite a bit, leaving us wide open when we lose the ball. Hourihane also has no recovery pace and our wingers can't be arsed in many cases. Recipe for our defensive disaster.
I do feel Whelan has become unfairly a bit of a fall guy on here. For one, he has played a lot more than he should, given injuries and also the form of Jedinak and Bjarnsson who he rotated well with last year. Critically, tactically we have been a shambles all year under Bruce/Smith where individuals like Hutton, Chester and Whelan are being exposed but the fault lies more with the coach than those players.
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whelan elmo hutton taylor Jedi Bolaise Kodja Adomah
all need f***ing off
Houriane should only be bench
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the only people responsible for this mess is successive owners and managers of the club. Whenever I saw something dire when I was in marketing - particularly advertising - I never blamed the agency, it was the client for accepting shite. NSWE need to be as tough here as they are in every other business they have an interest in.
When you say need to be tough, what do you mean?
He means they need to come out and say ‘yo man I ain’t gonna fall for no banana in no tailpipe no more.’
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Credit to him last night seemed to do his best to get us going. Noticed him talking to Green when they came on together.
A limited footballer yes but our best option in front of the back 4 at the moment.
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He a really did ok when he came on. Well he passed it to a Villa player more than once.
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For all the bad press he gets from villa fans, I thought he was good last night. Calming, pass completion and took control of things when needed
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Whelan can at least pass a ball, something Jedinak has never been very good at.
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He changed our midfield when he came on. Gave us real impetus
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I think he gets unfair criticism.
As I have said before, at least you know what he does and sadly we have no one else that can do that job at the moment.
I then look at Hourihane who does absolutely fuck all with the exception of the occasional decent pass or dead ball.
Playing both of them is a disaster.
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I'm not sure it's unfair, when he starts a game he's fucked by half time and slows down more and more through the game, yesterday is a much better way to use him but it relies on us having someone starting who isn't a liability and yesterday Jedinak put in one of the worst central midfield performances I've seen for years, he was so far short of the pace of the game it was scary.
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I thought Whelan was excellent today. He could actually be a key player next Sunday.
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Could it be that part of the problem is that Whelan simply doesn’t have the legs to play 2/3 games per week? We have 8 days until the Blose game so good time to be fully rested, and now being able to utilise a fully fit squad could be the best way to squeeze the best out of him even if that’s just to steady the ship as a a sub with his experience.
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My "Man of the Match" yesterday. Sorry Jack. Whelan was everywhere. At the right time. Gives such confidence to the defence when he plays like that.
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Also my man of the match yesterday
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He was superb yesterday, I struggle to see how SJM will get back in next week.
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Doff my hat to you Glenn.
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Doff my hat to you Glenn.
Agreed. Excellent today.
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Great to see you he is being respected for his footballing ability and am sure he is a top bloke in the dressing room. Jack Grealish made one comment, Kante, says it all
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Chuffed for Whelan because despite what others claim, he has been one of our better players all season, even during the poor run. He is just a lot more appreciated when we win. That said, Derby and today are his best two individual performances for us and he doesn't deserve to be left out next game so I hope he isn't.
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(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D1y8nCHWwAYw05c.png:small)
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Fantastic alround performance.
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My issue with Whelan this year has been the number of games, like the Blues match, where he looks fucked after an hour and his game falls apart. By all acconuts that didn't happen yesterday and he's rightly being praised for his performance
The other side of the problem was when he was DM with Jedinak and Chester behind him they looked slow and immobile as a unit and only Jedi offered any physical presence which saw us bullied repeatedly. In a team with Mings and Hause behind and McGinn and Jack in front he's a very different player because his weaknesses are covered much more effectively.
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Is his contract up in the summer? The cynic in me wonders whether he's playing for a new deal and whether he would be same if he was given another year. Hopefully that's just because of past experience though.
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Is his contract up in the summer? The cynic in me wonders whether he's playing for a new deal and whether he would be same if he was given another year. Hopefully that's just because of past experience though.
I think his deal is up in the summer, I also think as excellent as he was yesterday it helped that everything was in front of him. Middlesbrough had no pace at all to turn him with.
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I think not having Hourihane in the same midfield helps.
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There was an interesting discussion on 5 Live last Friday with Jenas and Glen Johnson about how the dressing at Stoke was lost in the pre-season before they went down when leaders like "Wheelo" left the club and were replaced by foreign mercenaries.
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I can't see Whelan taking the dressing, doesn't strike me as a big salad eater.
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I can't see Whelan taking the dressing, doesn't strike me as a big salad eater.
:D Fair enough, I've been on the rums all day but it does show how one or two bad influences can undermine a dressing room.
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Is his contract up in the summer? The cynic in me wonders whether he's playing for a new deal and whether he would be same if he was given another year. Hopefully that's just because of past experience though.
He is 35! He might only play another 12 months max.
A great pro, not the most talented, mobile or physical. Took loads of abuse on here or even from Irish supporters for years, about his limitations. But one of those you miss when he isn't there. Great example to all our younger players about maximising every once of your talent.
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I don't think Glenn will or should be involved in the playing squad next season but there's always the option to involve him with the coaching side and helping bring through the youth players. Despite some of his limitations as a player, you can't question is professionalism and great attitude, so if he's not ready to hang up his boots yet then he should leave with our thanks, respect and best wishes.
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I don't think Glenn will or should be involved in the playing squad next season but there's always the option to involve him with the coaching side and helping bring through the youth players. Despite some of his limitations as a player, you can't question is professionalism and great attitude, so if he's not ready to hang up his boots yet then he should leave with our thanks, respect and best wishes.
It's likely to be a big turnover of players with the average age coming down. He's playing well enough to earn another year and he can be one of few older players that can help bring the young players through. Instead we need to move Jedinak and Barney on and find someone who can be first choice and take a lot of the workload off Whelan.
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He's been superb for the last month or so and has really made that defensive-midfield position his own. Another top performance on Saturday.
That said, I imagine whether he gets another year or not will also depend upon which division we are in next season.
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I hope he isn't doing a Patrik Berger and then reverting to the Whelan we have generally seen. It was quite surreal hearing his name chanted on Saturday, but long may it continue!
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I think not having Hourihane in the same midfield helps.
You mean like when he was outstanding against Derby and Blues?
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I think not having Hourihane in the same midfield helps.
You mean like when he was outstanding against Derby and Blues?
I don't think we missed Hourihane that much against Boro but he's played his part this season and in the recent good run. I can't see him getting back in against Blackburn though.
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I think not having Hourihane in the same midfield helps.
You mean like when he was outstanding against Derby and Blues?
I don't think we missed Hourihane that much against Boro but he's played his part this season and in the recent good run. I can't see him getting back in against Blackburn though.
I read it as Chicago was suggesting Wheelan was better when Hourihane wasn't playing, but I hay have go that wrong.
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I think not having Hourihane in the same midfield helps.
You mean like when he was outstanding against Derby and Blues?
I don't think we missed Hourihane that much against Boro but he's played his part this season and in the recent good run. I can't see him getting back in against Blackburn though.
I read it as Chicago was suggesting Wheelan was better when Hourihane wasn't playing, but I hay have go that wrong.
I dont like them playing together and I think that Whelans better at DM than Hourihane.
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Both Whelan and Hourihane are better players when Grealish is in the midfield
how many decent games did either have when he wasn't playing....zero
Grealish is the key to the midfield he makes them look good
Grealish was the reason we made the play offs last season
and the reason we do this season if it happens
unfortunatly we are a one man team at the moment and Smith is going to have to find away around that at some point because we were woeful without him
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I think not having Hourihane in the same midfield helps.
You mean like when he was outstanding against Derby and Blues?
I don't think we missed Hourihane that much against Boro but he's played his part this season and in the recent good run. I can't see him getting back in against Blackburn though.
I read it as Chicago was suggesting Wheelan was better when Hourihane wasn't playing, but I hay have go that wrong.
Actually I argue due the whole team looks better when Hourihane isn't playing or perhaps no worse !!
Despite Conor giving many assists and contribution of goals I rather have others ahead of him for a balanced team.
McGinn is 3 times the player and Whelan 3 times the effort.
Grealish is another level and he's lucky he gets to play with him
The record with and without him in team would be interesting
Results wise he gives something but I don't see a player who could ever run a match or control the tempo. He hasn't got the strength at least wheelo is honest and vocal with some drive.
Conor is a shrinking violet.
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Conor is a different type of player to Wheelan so comparing them is just daft. They both offer different qualities and on their day can both be very, very good with the right players around them.
The criticism Hourihane gets on here just beggars belief and that as much as anything tells me that generally blokes (or lasses) on an internet forum know very little about football.
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For me the issue is that Hourihane and Whelan have very specific strengths and weaknesses. With grealish out all their weaknesses are exposed.
That’s a product of the squad Bruce left not of their ability as players.
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Conor is a different type of player to Wheelan so comparing them is just daft. They both offer different qualities and on their day can both be very, very good with the right players around them.
The criticism Hourihane gets on here just beggars belief and that as much as anything tells me that generally blokes (or lasses) on an internet forum know very little about football.
:-[
Says a bloke on an Internet forum.
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Glenn really performing as said he perform
Glenn Whelan cited in the Press conference before QPR "covered highest distance for a while" and showed "hunger, desire, enthusiasm"
Fair play to Whelan clearly showing signs he's performing to abilities .
Hard working and enthusiastic thing he's one smithy will look to include on regular basis , fine to rotate as knows his role and a dependable pro.
It’s a lonely road you are travelling on footyskillz.
I know which path to take. Don't need everyone joining when I comment on a player and what they can bring.
I hope I'm wrong on Steer though and that he doesn't cost us in the play offs he could have come to punch collect that ball before the Bristol city scored today.
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I thought you were taking a break until Kalinic is back or the Leeds game. You came back to quote yourself
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Glen Whelan is an excellent footballer, as was proved today.
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Glen Whelan has been absolutely superb for about 6 weeks now. He was just all over the place today.
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Good choice as captain today, it's a motd cliche but he really is a calming influence.
There's not many occasions when he just hacks it clear, more often than not he takes the ball under pressure and plays a decent pass into space.
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The rehabilitation of Glenn Whelan is both a symptom and cause of the position we're in now.
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I don't know what shit he's on but its working.
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Footy, the reason people have a go at you is because you wind us up by making comments like “ I hope I'm wrong on Steer though and that he doesn't cost us in the play offs”. Having persistently slagged him off , I suspect that translates in most peoples’ minds into : “ I hope I’m right on Steer so I can come back after the playoffs and gloat about my wonderful insight.”
Don’t you get that ?
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maybe it's lost in translation?
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I quite like being talked at by a man/boy (?) with an inadequate command of English. We didn’t even have to wait for Kalinic to regain his rightful place as numero one.
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maybe it's lost in translation?
Well Google need to buck their ideas up then :) !
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Whelan pre-Match was atrocious. Now, he's consistently excellent.
Fair play to him.
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He's had his critics this season (myself included) but he's definitely stepped up his game in recent weeks. As long as Dean manages his game time correctly then hopefully we'll see this form continue to the end of the season.
It sounds like there may have been some changes and improvements behind the scenes (training methods, conditioning, nourishment and recovery) so may be we are now seeing the benefit of those changes as it takes a while for that kind of thing to impact player performance. I'd say that the team spirit and ethic is also a contributing factor.
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the going back to BH for massages etc, even after away games seems to be new. Although how useful it is if preceded by 2hrs sitting on a bus is debatable.
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the going back to BH for massages etc, even after away games seems to be new. Although how useful it is if preceded by 2hrs sitting on a bus is debatable.
Probably really useful after being on a bus for 2 hours
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Glen Whelan has been absolutely superb for about 6 weeks now. He was just all over the place today.
Have pointed it out before TV, but I am a bit sceptical when the performance and attitude levels of players suddenly increase as they approach the end of their contract!!
Not claiming that is the case with Whelan, but there have been definite cases in the past I can think of (Heskey being a prime example).
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I think Smith is encouraging him to pass the ball forward more which I think he's enjoying
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Glen Whelan has been absolutely superb for about 6 weeks now. He was just all over the place today.
Have pointed it out before TV, but I am a bit sceptical when the performance and attitude levels of players suddenly increase as they approach the end of their contract!!
Not claiming that is the case with Whelan, but there have been definite cases in the past I can think of (Heskey being a prime example).
Patrick Berger did this beautifully, the handsome devil. Never to be seen again.
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Glen Whelan has been absolutely superb for about 6 weeks now. He was just all over the place today.
Have pointed it out before TV, but I am a bit sceptical when the performance and attitude levels of players suddenly increase as they approach the end of their contract!!
Not claiming that is the case with Whelan, but there have been definite cases in the past I can think of (Heskey being a prime example).
The whole team's performances have improved: Taylor, Elmo, Kodjia, even Jedi.
I personally don't think that Whelan has ever been as bad as some make out. He does so much of the dirty work that people take for granted. This kind of role is often missed by fans who all look for Jack Grealish type of performances. My starting 11 has Whelan in it all day long.
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The criticism Hourihane gets on here just beggars belief and that as much as anything tells me that generally blokes (or lasses) on an internet forum know very little about football.
Unlike you, of course.
Both have been average > poor at various stages this season.
Both are playing very well now.
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My concern with Whelan was always about his fitness. For 18 months he looked like he was fucked after about an hour and we'd have to start plugging gaps. Whatever has happened more recently he's lasting out games much better and it means his performances have a lot less negatives.
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Glen Whelan has been absolutely superb for about 6 weeks now. He was just all over the place today.
Have pointed it out before TV, but I am a bit sceptical when the performance and attitude levels of players suddenly increase as they approach the end of their contract!!
Not claiming that is the case with Whelan, but there have been definite cases in the past I can think of (Heskey being a prime example).
It's a talking point for sure. But have you thought more on this and that consideration?
I do have to say whenever I hear these allegations of players stepping up efforts its more just bias in people commenting and ideas of thinking and not getting how it's just someone in a job. And not to mention cliche
Consider that it's not anything but rather regular in wanting to impress like one does in any work place situation when looking to see work extension .
By showing consistency and value to a work place then the deserve rewards comes.
It's another footballing myth and cliche as if it's something out of ordinary or even if it's the case. People just become more aware when a player is in form and notice that they are out of contract so make a rational decision that must be linked
As I say it's leveled against footballers however do people really not think that people don't increase and perform when there is an incentive . This case earning a new contract at a work place.
Come on it happens in alot of industry and just human nature so me always hearing it in football circles is a moot point and negligible.
It's a job and it's their job to earn security.
And while we at it it's same with some people who go on about Ramsey at arsenal who pre signed to glorious Juve in summer and is out of contract to the gunners . For me that's just insulting and shows more about peoples own thinking rather that just getting the idea that he's an elite player professional in his job.
Both scenario players out of contract and either moving or staying they still choose to perform .
Whelan anyway makes effort continuously so I don't see him as someone ultra performing though he will of course have the extra incentive if he's interested in staying
And for me one year offer . He be fine competing in prem league as squad player or reduced term in prem .
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The criticism Hourihane gets on here just beggars belief and that as much as anything tells me that generally blokes (or lasses) on an internet forum know very little about football.
The criticism may be harsh, but I can see where it comes from.
CH arrived with a reputation for being a high performer in this division; a division that rewards teams which work hard. CH rarely seems to do the hard yards. Yes, he scores goals (not to be underestimated, of course, since that is the objective of the game).
I think what is sometimes unappreciated - and I've really only noticed it in recent games - is the fact that he makes lots of runs into the opponents' area and makes himself available to the ball-carrier; often unfulfilled.
Saturday was one which was rewarded, when he scored the second goal.
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The criticism Hourihane gets on here just beggars belief and that as much as anything tells me that generally blokes (or lasses) on an internet forum know very little about football.
The criticism may be harsh, but I can see where it comes from.
CH arrived with a reputation for being a high performer in this division; a division that rewards teams which work hard. CH rarely seems to do the hard yards. Yes, he scores goals (not to be underestimated, of course, since that is the objective of the game).
I think what is sometimes unappreciated - and I've really only noticed it in recent games - is the fact that he makes lots of runs into the opponents' area and makes himself available to the ball-carrier; often unfulfilled.
Saturday was one which was rewarded, when he scored the second goal.
I would suggest that the attacking the 6 yard box is relatively new.
It’s a welcome addition to his game and the team.
He has to be creating or scoring because with out the ball he is almost useless.
Hourihane I mean.
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Any Villa fan will know what Conor's strengths are and will have known about them for quite a long time. Unfortunately we've had a succession of managers in his time at Villa who have played him as dm. As much as I'm a fan of Dean Smith, he has been guilty of this even playing Conor as dm with Whelan playing further forward earlier in the season. Thankfully this seems to have stopped. Certainly the way Glenn and McGinn are playing and with Jack back in the team it makes it difficult for Conor to start games unless Deano was to start with 4 midfielders and 1 less winger. That said Conor is a vital member of the team and squad. Any reference to terms like "useless" is a term I think is more fitting for the likes of Micah Richards.
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Hourihane deserves more love than he gets. As above, he is now popping up in the box more and presenting a goal threat every time he plays, not just from dead balls. I think we’re seeing it more lately because he is playing on front of a properly functioning defence and holding MF.
But in any event he’s continued to consistently score and assist the whole time. He’s always going to look like he doesn’t fancy it compared to SJM and jack but then 99% of players in the league would since those are two of the most ridiculous grass covering grafters you’ll ever see.
Isn’t this a Whelan thread?
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My concern with Whelan was always about his fitness. For 18 months he looked like he was fucked after about an hour and we'd have to start plugging gaps. Whatever has happened more recently he's lasting out games much better and it means his performances have a lot less negatives.
We are keeping the ball a lot better hence less running around for Whelan and the rest of our players.
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Any Villa fan will know what Conor's strengths are and will have known about them for quite a long time. Unfortunately we've had a succession of managers in his time at Villa who have played him as dm. As much as I'm a fan of Dean Smith, he has been guilty of this even playing Conor as dm with Whelan playing further forward earlier in the season. Thankfully this seems to have stopped. Certainly the way Glenn and McGinn are playing and with Jack back in the team it makes it difficult for Conor to start games unless Deano was to start with 4 midfielders and 1 less winger. That said Conor is a vital member of the team and squad. Any reference to terms like "useless" is a term I think is more fitting for the likes of Micah Richards.
Had a dream that Micah Richards became a vital part of our defence and being devastated when he got a long term injury.
I know Dean Smith is good, but think my sub-conscious is stretching it a bit there.
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Any Villa fan will know what Conor's strengths are and will have known about them for quite a long time. Unfortunately we've had a succession of managers in his time at Villa who have played him as dm. As much as I'm a fan of Dean Smith, he has been guilty of this even playing Conor as dm with Whelan playing further forward earlier in the season. Thankfully this seems to have stopped. Certainly the way Glenn and McGinn are playing and with Jack back in the team it makes it difficult for Conor to start games unless Deano was to start with 4 midfielders and 1 less winger. That said Conor is a vital member of the team and squad. Any reference to terms like "useless" is a term I think is more fitting for the likes of Micah Richards.
I think he plays better as DM, building play from the back, pinging passes. Pretty much all of his yellow cards have been for brainless last ditch hacks as he tried to get back from an attacking Position and we avoid that when he sits deeper. I also notice that he plays better after he has been dropped!
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My concern with Whelan was always about his fitness. For 18 months he looked like he was fucked after about an hour and we'd have to start plugging gaps. Whatever has happened more recently he's lasting out games much better and it means his performances have a lot less negatives.
We are keeping the ball a lot better hence less running around for Whelan and the rest of our players.
That's part of it but I think our defensive structure is better as well and we're controlling the tempo of games better, as well as most of the squad looking a bit fitter in general.
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Thanks for everything Glenn. You helped complete the job you were bought to do. Your wife and family should be very proud of you. Everybody needs a Whelan in midfield! Good bye and good luck!!
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I would have moved Whelan on in January and so was really surprised and delighted by his end of season performances.Credit to Deano and Whelan himself.
Best of luck for the future ,you have played a vital role in getting us promoted and double thanks for the penalty miss v Preston.
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How different it would have all been had he scored that penalty...
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Absolutely no problem with the guy, a first class professional, best of luck wherever you end up, you deserve as much credit as anyone in our promotion achievement.
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All the best Glenn.
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Thanks Glenn you were very instrumental in the "ten wins on the trot" which were pivotal in our promotion. Good luck in the future
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Yep, good lad, good pro and wish him well.
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He went from someone most of us were frustrated with to a critical player in our charge to the playoffs, not just in his play which improved immensely but his overall leadership and attitude. He’s still got fuel in the tank and will be a valuable member of a
Championship side next season.
Good luck Glenn
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All the best, brilliant season here since Dean arrived. Now understand why he was so popular at his last club. Top man
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Showed the player he could be with proper coaching. Wouldn't have got that record of 10 wins on the bounce without him and he clearly loves the club, just like McCafu and Mad Tom clearly do. We sure do make a good impression on a lot of players that join us.
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He changed my opinion of him the second half of this season, became a crucial part of the team. Seems a decent bloke as well so wish him all the best. Just a shame on the official site they've lumped the likes of Whelan, Hutton, Jedinak and Elphick with Richards. I'd have liked it if they'd said, we wish all these players the very best and thank them for all their efforts...oh and by the way, Richards has left too!
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In the long run his missed penalty v Preston did us a lot of good aswell.
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Bit surprised at this one. His impact off the pitch is apparently as appreciated as his work on it.
He’s not the future, but would have seen no harm in granting him a one year extension.
Don’t want to overload it this year when it comes to changes in personnel, and he would have been a decent option for the bench.
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In the long run his missed penalty v Preston did us a lot of good aswell.
Indeed. He's played some big parts in the story of our last ten years in one way or another.
If there's one "release" that's indicative of our immediate intentions, I think it's this one.
Good luck in whatever you do next, Glenn, from someone you totally won over.
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Cheers Glenn.
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Showed the player he could be with proper coaching. Wouldn't have got that record of 10 wins on the bounce without him and he clearly loves the club, just like McCafu and Mad Tom clearly do. We sure do make a good impression on a lot of players that join us.
Yep, was instrumental in that winning run at the end of the season. Probably deserved another year on the back of that, but the fact that he hasn’t shows some ambition.
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Not a player for the premiership but contributed this season.
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A brilliant professional, worked his bollocks off all his career to get the most out of his talent. But the right decision from the club.
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The one of the eight I’d have expected us to give another year, but I take his release as a precursor to the ambition we’re about to demonstrate.
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At 35 he was never going to hack it in the Prem but did a great job for us. The right decision as were all of the others in fairness.
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Right decision but like a fair few I misjudged him. Clearly a good sound player who needed better management.
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I thought we'd keep him for another year as well. Like Jedinak, he had his off games but he played his part as well.
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I thought we'd keep him for another year as well. Like Jedinak, he had his off games but he played his part as well.
I'm pleased that Smith and the rest of the management team aren't showing any signs of sentimentality to be honest. I wouldn't have minded Whelan getting another year, but they've clearly got bigger plans.
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I thought we'd keep him for another year as well. Like Jedinak, he had his off games but he played his part as well.
I'm pleased that Smith and the rest of the management team aren't showing any signs of sentimentality to be honest. I wouldn't have minded Whelan getting another year, but they've clearly got bigger plans.
Exactly my thoughts as well
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I thought we'd keep him for another year as well. Like Jedinak, he had his off games but he played his part as well.
I'm pleased that Smith and the rest of the management team aren't showing any signs of sentimentality to be honest. I wouldn't have minded Whelan getting another year, but they've clearly got bigger plans.
Yep. Sounds harsh I know, given what he contributed last season, but I'll take cold, harsh reality over sentimentality
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Playing regularly he was likely to make mistakes so at the top level sorry to say would have been a liability
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I thought we'd keep him for another year as well. Like Jedinak, he had his off games but he played his part as well.
I'm pleased that Smith and the rest of the management team aren't showing any signs of sentimentality to be honest. I wouldn't have minded Whelan getting another year, but they've clearly got bigger plans.
Yes this is good. Reminds me of Brian Little approach.
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Whelan played his part in our 10 match winning run so thank you but other than that he was a liability. Good luck to him wherever he ends up.
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Whelan played his part in our 10 match winning run so thank you but other than that he was a liability. Good luck to him wherever he ends up.
A bit harsh, there were some MOTM performances during that run.
Admittedly a few fuck ups but he did a good job and was a real pro.
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He was excellent in the second part of the season, became a real crowd favourite. Surprised we didn't offer him another year but maybe he has been offered first team football elsewhere. Regardless, thanks and good luck Glenn.
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Where we're going, you don't need Whelan's.
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Should've give him a one year extension. As much as anything he could've helped the younger players with no PL experience.
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I suspect there's a player coach role on offer at Stoke that they have all decided is the best route forwards.
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I don't think a years deal really suits either party. He would barely play. He might as well stay in the championship and get a few games. There's no knowing how many players years he's got left. At 35, he'd struggle in the top flight I think.
Players like Grealish and Hourihane, Chester, Elmo and a few more are all pretty experienced now. We're bound to sign 6-7 players, some of whom will have played in the Prem. So I don't think we necessarily need Whelo's experience. If we were still in the champ, I'd have signed him for another year for sure, but we've got to be a little more ruthless and progressive (which given the releases, Smith has been).
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Should've give him a one year extension. As much as anything he could've helped the younger players with no PL experience.
Whelan was binned by Stoke two years ago because they didn't think he was up to the job in the top flight We have Chester, AEH, Taylor, Mings (hopefully), all of whom have played in the Premier and can do that role but contribute on the pitch too. Not to mention Terry on the coaching staff who is quite recently retired.
The last thing we need to be doing having just dug ourselves out of a financial hole is to be paying someone 30-40k a week just because they're good to have in the dressing room.
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The thought of Neil Taylor playing in the PL scares the shit out of me.
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Glenn went right up in my estimation over the last few months, to the point I really thought he might get another year with us to help out.
As his Mrs has said on to your next adventure....best of luck Glenn.
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The thought of Neil Taylor playing in the PL scares the shit out of me.
I'd have said the same 6 months ago but I think he's improved a lot. I've no qualms about keeping him on, though as a squad option. A new first choice is definitely a must.
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Under previous management we would have given him a 3 year deal again .....this shows the club is thinking in the right way
Thanks Glen for what you did - even missing that penalty - and good luck in the future
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I suspect there's a player coach role on offer at Stoke that they have all decided is the best route forwards.
Not sure which colour this registers on Allan W's transfer traffic light system.
https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/stoke-city-transfer-free-agents-2918758
The gist of it is Stoke are rumoured to be after a holding midfielder possibly as a player coach who possibly might be Whelan.
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The thought of Neil Taylor playing in the PL scares the shit out of me.
I'd have said the same 6 months ago but I think he's improved a lot. I've no qualms about keeping him on, though as a squad option. A new first choice is definitely a must.
At PL level he'd get torn to pieces. He's a back up at best and I'm being generous. He became competent in the end and the only reason we felt that is because it was a huge improvement on what we saw from him prior to that.
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Also, when it came down to the most important game of the season, not only didn't Glenn start, he wasn't even brought on near the end
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I’m enjoying the execution of the “plan”. That is these players were going to be binned come what may. I like that we have people in charge that have not allowed sentiment to get in the way of progress. No fucking bomb squad. Methodically addressing the playing staff so that we will be as best prepared as possible for the upcoming season. It’s going to be challenging enough so for us to go in lean and with players that Dean Smith actually wants there is critical to us maintain our spot in the league. I can’t fucking wait for it to all get going.
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(https://cdn.extra.ie/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/01164612/glenn-whelan-feat.jpg)
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Great photo and good to see Alan and Glen in full flow and if I am not mistaken there is almost a smile on Barny’s face.
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I’m enjoying the execution of the “plan”. That is these players were going to be binned come what may. I like that we have people in charge that have not allowed sentiment to get in the way of progress. No fucking bomb squad. Methodically addressing the playing staff so that we will be as best prepared as possible for the upcoming season. It’s going to be challenging enough so for us to go in lean and with players that Dean Smith actually wants there is critical to us maintain our spot in the league. I can’t fucking wait for it to all get going.
I do think wages probably paid some part in it as well TV, as the majority of those released would have been on more than decent money.
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No doubt. And certainly had we stayed down. The wages aren’t so much an issue but why have them on the books if the players will ultimately be limited contributors at the higher level. All round this was the right decision.
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I suspect Whelan was one of the few who there was a different path for in Plans A and B. Been great this season and wish him well.
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Whelan says he was proud of his role in Villa's success in getting promotion.
"I signed there for two years to get them back to the Premier League and it was mission accomplished," he said.
"It wasn't a surprise to get released, the stage I am at in my career and where Aston Villa want to go so I am proud of what I have done. I think I missed one game for Villa all season, I hurt my shoulder once and was out but I was available for every other game and training session.
"I didn't know it [playoff] would be my last game, we had quite a few players out of contract, no one wanted to talk about it.
"The only disappointment for me was that I went away on the Tuesday with the family for a few days, when I landed I had two missed calls, one from a journalist and one from the manager, that was disappointing.
"I spoke to him then, we congratulated each other, wished each other the best, I have been in the game too long to hold grudges."
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Not a great way of handling it is it, when players find out news like this from journalists rather than the club it always looks like a PR own goal.
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Not sure what else Dean Smith could have done, he obviously tried to call Whelan, presumably to arrange a meeting, but if he wasn't around, that's not Dean's fault.
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Just heard him say that in the interview he's quoted from. The reporter then asks him if he would carry on playing and he goes, in the broadest of Dublin accents "Yeah, I've just been on the phone to Real Madrid".
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Time to move on. I wonder what sort of salary he’d have been on at Villa?
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Not sure what else Dean Smith could have done, he obviously tried to call Whelan, presumably to arrange a meeting, but if he wasn't around, that's not Dean's fault.
I think his issue is that he says Smith told a journalist before speaking to him. He could have asked Whelan to phone back.
Now obviously if he did that and Whelan didn't phone back for a week that's a different matter...
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Dean Smith has more respect than to tell a journo first, before a player. This has been spun. Non entity of a story here.
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Time to move on. I wonder what sort of salary he’d have been on at Villa?
A premiership one so anything between 25- 35k
For his contribution in getting us up then fair play to him. Very decent pro
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Well said Hookey. Totally agree.
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Not sure what else Dean Smith could have done, he obviously tried to call Whelan, presumably to arrange a meeting, but if he wasn't around, that's not Dean's fault.
I think his issue is that he says Smith told a journalist before speaking to him. He could have asked Whelan to phone back.
Now obviously if he did that and Whelan didn't phone back for a week that's a different matter...
That's not what he said is it? He said he'd had two calls, not that Smith told the journalist.
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That's the implication I got. May be wrong, wasn't sure what he would have to be annoyed about otherwise.
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I don’t know, maybe it’s being overly critical but it seems to happen regularly at a lot of clubs and always concludes with them looking clumsy.
How difficult can it be to embargo the released list until you know the whereabouts of everyone on it and can therefore manage its release delicately before it gets leaked to the press? It’s only 8 blokes.
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The alternative view is that if you knew that your contract was up, you'd make sure that you were contactable 24/7 to find out whether it was being renewed or whether you needed to be heading straight down to the footballing equivalent of the Job Centre.
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The alternative view is that if you knew that your contract was up, you'd make sure that you were contactable 24/7 to find out whether it was being renewed or whether you needed to be heading straight down to the footballing equivalent of the Job Centre.
"the footballing equivalent of the Job Centre"?
Have a word.
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He was well-paid for two years where he gave his all but struggled for form until this season. We're now returning to the division where his previous club deemed him not good enough to play in, there can't be much in the way of bitterness on his part.
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As I understand Adomah, Jedinak let it be known a day or two before that they were going so maybe the journalist was presuming Whelan would be off too and was calling to find out if true, in a journalist style, ie " I hear you're leaving Glen".
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That's the implication I got. May be wrong, wasn't sure what he would have to be annoyed about otherwise.
I don't see where it's said he was annoyed.
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As I understand Adomah, Jedinak let it be known a day or two before that they were going so maybe the journalist was presuming Whelan would be off too and was calling to find out if true, in a journalist style, ie " I hear you're leaving Glen".
That's probably closer to what really happened.
I think Purslow and Smith, the guy's making the decisions, have more about them than to leak news to a journalist.
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The alternative view is that if you knew that your contract was up, you'd make sure that you were contactable 24/7 to find out whether it was being renewed or whether you needed to be heading straight down to the footballing equivalent of the Job Centre.
"the footballing equivalent of the Job Centre"?
Have a word.
What is the football equivalent of the job center?
A posh bar drinking £35 glasses of Champagne eyeing up women tottering around with legs up to their ear holes whilst your agent sits with his feet up on the table and a phone to his ear?
Poor bastards.
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On SSN gone to Hearts on a one year deal
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Good luck to him, I say!
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He obviously loved last season's Villa kit.
Good luck to him.
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Good luck Glen and I hope Karen is happy.
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On SSN gone to Hearts on a one year deal
I thought he signed for Hearts several days ago. It must have just been rumoured and I took it as done.
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If I see him in the Caley I'll buy him a pint.
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On SSN gone to Hearts on a one year deal
I thought he signed for Hearts several days ago. It must have just been rumoured and I took it as done.
You could have beaten the bookies there Damo!
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Good luck to Glenn at Hearts.
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He’ll do well there. Good luck.
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On the bench for tonight's League Cup tie at Motherwell.
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Good luck Glenn. Hope you enjoy your time up there.
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Has left Hearts by mutual consent. Shame it didn't work out for him, but at least he wasn't the type to just hang around and take the money.
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How did his missus take the news, lambaste the club on social media?
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He's probably coming back at this rate.
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Welcome back, Glenn.
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I thought he was doing well up there? Could be a money thing.
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I thought letting him go was the right thing to do in the summer. In hindsight I think we'd have benefitted from having him in the squad. Inexperience in a lot of games has been a big problem and not having a shitter of a player like Glenn (in a nice way) to just steamroll some opposition players at key times to see games out. I'd have brought him on and sat him in front of the back four in those games it looked like we were getting overrun and we had nothing to counter the inevitable.
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I thought letting him go was the right thing to do in the summer. In hindsight I think we'd have benefitted from having him in the squad. Inexperience in a lot of games has been a big problem and not having a shitter of a player like Glenn (in a nice way) to just steamroll some opposition players at key times to see games out. I'd have brought him on and sat him in front of the back four in those games it looked like we were getting overrun and we had nothing to counter the inevitable.
Tom I can see the logic in this
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I thought letting him go was the right thing to do in the summer. In hindsight I think we'd have benefitted from having him in the squad.
I don't think letting him go was the problem, not replacing him with a younger similar type, that's the problem.
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I thought he was doing well up there? Could be a money thing.
Did well for the first few games but then went off form. Reading Twitter their fans seem very pleased to be shot of him.
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I thought letting him go was the right thing to do in the summer. In hindsight I think we'd have benefitted from having him in the squad.
I don't think letting him go was the problem, not replacing him with a younger similar type, that's the problem.
This. He's 36 soon and is Championship mid table at best now.
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I thought letting him go was the right thing to do in the summer. In hindsight I think we'd have benefitted from having him in the squad.
I don't think letting him go was the problem, not replacing him with a younger similar type, that's the problem.
This. He's 36 soon and is Championship mid table at best now.
agreed, but we miss a bit of street-wise know-how in the middle of the park at times.
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The fact that he is unwanted at one of the worst Hearts teams in history suggests he probably wouldn't have been a vital part of our Premier League plans.
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If he continues playing, I could see him at Pats or Shels in Ireland.
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I thought letting him go was the right thing to do in the summer. In hindsight I think we'd have benefitted from having him in the squad.
I don't think letting him go was the problem, not replacing him with a younger similar type, that's the problem.
This. He's 36 soon and is Championship mid table at best now.
agreed, but we miss a bit of street-wise know-how in the middle of the park at times.
Hells bells, that it should come to this!. Fetch Mark Lillis out of retirement while you’re at it, and Stephen Ireland
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What’s Stuart Gray up to?
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Sid's only early 60's. That's nothing these days.
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Looking for a wide man who scores for fun head or foot. Peter McParland is still hale and hearty. And quicker than Jota.
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If he continues playing, I could see him at Pats or Shels in Ireland.
I'd say he will try and keep playing at a competitive level, wouldn't be surprised if Stoke gave him a short term deal. Has done well for Mick McCarthy in an Irish shirt of late but that maybe says more about the likes of Hourihane, Hendrick et al
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(https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/onesport/cps/800/cpsprodpb/101F1/production/_110433066_19720325.jpg)
Whelan says he was thrown under the bus by the Hearts Manager.
But just look at that 3rd kit!
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The Black Hearts is a cool nickname.
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It is, but those Jambo bastards can go and whistle.
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It is, but those Jambo bastards can go and whistle.
I agree with LeeB again.
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It is, but those Jambo bastards can go and whistle.
I agree with LeeB again.
It's good to know I have at least one disciple in my quest to become the benign socialist dictator this country needs.
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It is, but those Jambo bastards can go and whistle.
I agree with LeeB again.
It's good to know I have at least one disciple in my quest to become the benign socialist dictator this country needs.
Always. I'm not much good in a scrap, mind, but I excel at salad dressings.
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I thought he was doing well up there? Could be a money thing.
Did well for the first few games but then went off form. Reading Twitter their fans seem very pleased to be shot of him.
There might be other reasons for that.
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It is, but those Jambo bastards can go and whistle.
I agree with LeeB again.
It's good to know I have at least one disciple in my quest to become the benign socialist dictator this country needs.
Always. I'm not much good in a scrap, mind, but I excel at salad dressings.
Well, an army marches on it's stomach, you'll do for me.
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It is, but those Jambo bastards can go and whistle.
Must not bite, must not bite...😜
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Go, Whelo 😁
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Joined Fleetwood Town a few days ago.