Paul Lambert believes Wes Hoolahan is good enough to make a big contribution to Ireland's Euro 2012 campiagn - if selected. Picture: Paul Chesterton / Focus Images

Paul Lambert - Wes Hoolahan worth a look from Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni

by Paddy Davitt Friday, February 10, 2012
7:00 AM

Paul Lambert insists Wes Hoolahan would not let the Republic of Ireland down if Giovanni Trapattoni decided to have another look at the Norwich City midfielder.

The Italian is expected to include one or two fresh players in the squad he names this Friday for the Dublin friendly against the Czech Republic.

Hoolahan has been out of the picture since making his international debut under Trapattoni in 2008, although Republic assistant boss Marco Tardelli watched the midfielder at Carrow Road earlier this season.

Trapattoni has already pledged to reward the men who guided the Irish to the Euro 2012 finals. Hoolahan, however, has been a key figure in Norwich’s renaissance under Lambert and his club boss believes the 29-year-old’s top flight displays are worthy of a second chance.

“I don’t think you ever tell anybody how to do their job, especially somebody as experienced as he is,” said Lambert. “If you ask my opinion then it’s maybe worth having a look and you make up your own judgement about whether he is good enough or not. I know what he has done for me.

“He has been brilliant; he has played some massive games. I think Wes, being as creative as he is, sometimes will have his ups and downs in games. You make allowances for that – but over the course of two-and-a-half years he has been terrific.”

Lambert conceded Trapattoni’s reliance on a rigid midfield formation with two sitting players supplemented by the likes of Damien Duff and Aiden McGeady lessens Hoolahan’s prospects of a late call up.

“It might well do. There is nothing set in stone how people want to play,” said Lambert. “If you ask me would I play him wide, then I wouldn’t, but somebody else might. Yeah, he could probably do it but my view is he is more productive in the middle.

“I think he looks at himself as being more of a creative type of player than someone who can perhaps score goals from midfield. Maybe he should score a bit more with the talent he has, but he’d rather slip somebody in when you think he is going to shoot at certain times. I think that is something he could try and get in his game, but his creativity is different class.”

Trapattoni reiterated recently how tough it would be for the likes of Hoolahan and young Sunderland midfielder James McClean to gatecrash his Euro2012 plans.

“I think the players who achieved our qualification deserve to come with us,” he said. “We don’t only have 18 players. We have 25, 26, 27 so we can change. We pay attention to one or two who we know outside this group but it would only be maybe injury or the fitness and condition that makes you think about the new players.”

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38 comments

artexer, I remember Tommy Bryceland too, a little Scottish wizard, as you say, in the Wes style. He was partnered in what is now called "midfield" by a spiky little Welshman called Mal Lucas. Happy days. As they are again now, thanks to our wizard Scottish Manager. OTBC.

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Mad Brewer

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Wes is a creative player he can take players on and get past them and bring other players in to the game, Would think he is good enough for the R.O.I team, Reminds me of Tommy Brycland who you to play for City a few years ago

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artexer

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Wes is a creative player he can take players on and get past them and bring other players in to the game, Would think he is good enough for the R.O.I team, Reminds me of Tommy Brycland who you to play for City a few years ago

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artexer

Sunday, February 12, 2012
Anyway, how come Ireland got a good Italian manager and England got Capello?

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Mad Brewer

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Sogstar, they`re delicate flowers, these local scribblers. If you say something they don`t like, it`s vetoed. If you say something they do like, they pinch it!

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Mad Brewer

Friday, February 10, 2012
I simply do not agree with those saying Wes is not good enough for Premier League and has many bad days at the pitch. I see 80% of the games on TV these days, and every time he has some positive effect on the team - some days he is brilliant, some days he is just very good. Another thing is that he sometimes plays TOO well - he is after all depending on his fellow players to think the same way. He obviously fits best into a playing team, I reckon Ireland is that?

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Rob (Serinus Canaria Norvegicus)

Friday, February 10, 2012
Yes, Brew. Just offering my opinion, that's all.

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Soglio Star

Friday, February 10, 2012
Sogstar, I can only assume you`ve been ethered a bit lately? Crab told me how to avoid that but the truth keeps getting in the way of facts.

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Mad Brewer

Friday, February 10, 2012
Also, why is a 'regretted' comment dragged up after 17yrs, when Pearce is already u21's and GB Olypmic manager?

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Soglio Star

Friday, February 10, 2012
Surprised to see Lambo thinks Wes good enough for RoI when he does not play every Prem League game.

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Soglio Star

Friday, February 10, 2012
Mary had a little Lamb ... Snap, Brew. x2!!

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Soglio Star

Friday, February 10, 2012
Mary had a little lamb ... Snap, Brew. Basically - why does Lambo believe Wes is good enough for RoI when he does not play hom every week in Prem? Why is stuff from 17 yrs ago being dragged up, when Pearce is u21's and Olympic manager?

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Soglio Star

Friday, February 10, 2012
Ethered again. Since it`s a Divot column, I should not be overly surprised.

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Mad Brewer

Friday, February 10, 2012
Wes is a Hool-hearted player. Lambo loves him. He was on his way out when PL arrived, courtesy of schrecklich management from Ruder and Gum. This guy has been brilliant for the Club. I remember, when he played against Naarge for Blackpool, he took us to bits. I can`t remember who signed him. Peter Grant? OTBC.

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Mad Brewer

Friday, February 10, 2012
Sorry to join the debate late ... It is surprising that Lambo believes Wes is good enough for RoI, but does not play him every game for City. He would be like Hoddle was for England in the 80's. Cultured, silky, yet lightweight, even if the team is built around him. It would be great to see Holty go, but I feel Crouch is more likely to be selected if Harry is manager. As for Pearce - he is already u21's and GB Olympic manager, so why does something which happened 17yrs ago get dragged up when he is mentioned as caretaker manager?

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Soglio Star

Friday, February 10, 2012
Lambert says they should come and have a look at him... But after they've come all this way, it might be a game where he's only on the pitch for the last 15 minutes!

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mathsman

Friday, February 10, 2012
i think wes is a fantastic player.he does get caught out sometimes when facing his own goal .but he has wonderfull vision and very quick feet.i would always play him.

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bluelight

Friday, February 10, 2012
If Lambo says he's good enough for ROI, that's good enough for me. ILWT!

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Smudger75

Friday, February 10, 2012
Wes not good enough for the Premiership or International football?! Do me a favour. Wes has been a joy to watch this season. Firstly, whilst admittedly having some anonymous games, in many others he has been simply fantastic and one reason why we have found ourselves in 9th place over most of the season to date. As a reminder, remember that all the very top players in the Prem also have games where they are anonymous - see Wayne Rooney for starters! Secondly, NEVER doubt Paul Lambert. If he wasn't good enough, Lambo would not pick him. Simple as. Thirdly, to say he's not good enough for ROI is ridiculous. If Jonathan Walters, Keith Fahey, Keith Andrews, Aiden McGeady et al can all get a game at various times, believe me Wes is MORE than good enough to get in. Fourthly, is work rate is far better than many would think. If you don't believe me, watch him yourself. Again, Lambert would simply not accept ANY of his players not working back.

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Lambo is god

Friday, February 10, 2012
unfortunately Wes is inconsistant,some days brilliant, some days keeps giving ball to opposition. Excellent impact player when brought on to change things. Has been brilliant for City over the last few years. No other clubs as far as I am aware have ever come in for him. Why?

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goldie

Friday, February 10, 2012
wes is 29 nearly 30,he is not going to get any better,and he has been overlooked for last 10-12 years, reason being he is just not good enough for international football or premiership, i am ncfc supporter and i think wes was briiliant in championship,but he is out of his league now

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jmm

Friday, February 10, 2012
if james mc clean is going to struggle to get in,then lightweight wes has no chance, i am a ncfc supporter and think wes was pure class last season,but the step up is to much for him,he is bullied of the ball every week,yeah he can make 10 yard passes,but when did you last see him ping a 40 yard pass to feet?he just int good enough for international football,especially with the group they have been drawn in,

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jmm

Friday, February 10, 2012
On another theme, it seems that the press are keen to pull defeat out of the jaws of victory over the England manager role. Everyone is dumping on Capello but now they are dragging up incidents in Stuart Pearce's past, his brother's politics and I am sure that the whole succession thing will end up like a pig's breakfast.

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Swiss Canary

Friday, February 10, 2012
harry once said on tv that his wife sandra could finish better than bent,that led to big fall out and he went to sunderland,they dont even speak now, i really think holt will get a chance, we always take a target man because our play is not at the level of spain to keep possession,thats why we took emile heskey last time,because even though he is poor,it was to have him hold ball up and get gerrard and rooney playing of him, holt can hold the ball up and win free kicks better than anyone in premiership,but he also scores goals, he has to go

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jmm

Friday, February 10, 2012
Preston, I know what you mean, I think that when he knows he is on his own and has got to hold, he pulls the ball in close and keeps it well, the players coming towards him are all running into his line of sight from our half. It is when he opens up that the likes of the Sunderland midfield jump in.

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Swiss Canary

Friday, February 10, 2012
I think there is far too much made of players playing in position or out. Football is a fluid game and Wes is a talented attacking midfielder. Talent is far more use than a rigid ability to play in a one dimensional way. Wes is class and ROI's reluctance to pick him is NCFC's good fortune!

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jondavies_ahi

Friday, February 10, 2012
I would have thought Bent was perfect for `Arry, jmm. I would love for Holty to get an England cap or 3. But at his age, would he just be another misused stop-gap? Or would he be recognised for the top player he is? He`s certainly outperforming the likes of Carroll, Crouch and Zamora this season (so far).

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Mad Brewer

Friday, February 10, 2012
Agree, jmm, he had a poor game v Sunderland. Then, so did a few of the others. I don`t think "bulking him up" would improve his play. As Preston says, he`s deceptively strong for a small fellow. Knee high to Kyle Naughton.... And PC`s also right that his best role is that "free" one just behind the strikers. There will be games where PL will want to play it that way. Wes is OK! OTBC.

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Mad Brewer

Friday, February 10, 2012
grant holt will get england call up, harry always likes a target man at every club he has been at, darren bent wont go to euros as him and harry dont get on,it,

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jmm

Friday, February 10, 2012
not good enough, he is a decent player in championship, but is poor in premier league and international football at euro 2012 he would be very poor,not qwick enough,gets knocked of ball to easy,and cant defend, look at the sunderland game he was shocking

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jmm

Friday, February 10, 2012
It's amazing the different views people can have. In the games I have seen Wes play one of the things he does so well is receiving the ball around the half way line and holding it up until he can get the ball to someone else. He might be small, but I think he is quite strong and his low centre of gravity helps him with this. The problem he has is that he is less effective just as a centre mid. He has his best games for Norwich in a free role behind the strikers. I agree about his defensive qualities though!

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Preston Canary

Friday, February 10, 2012
It's amazing the different views people can have. In the games I have seen Wes play one of the things he does so well is receiving the ball around the half way line and holding it up until he can get the ball to someone else. He might be small, but I think he is quite strong and his low centre of gravity helps him with this. The problem he has is that he is less effective just as a centre mid. He has his best games for Norwich in a free role behind the strikers. I agree about his defensive qualities though!

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Preston Canary

Friday, February 10, 2012
It`s horses for courses (sorry to revisit equine theme). You don`t want Wes playing just in front of the defence. As he plays for Norwich, if he loses the ball it`s usually in the opposition half. His chasing back, tackling and work-rate have all improved under PL. You would have thought Trapattoni might have found him a useful weapon to bring on from the bench when a game needs changing. So he`s surely worth a place in their squad? To concur with what Swiss said, it`s a pity Ireland can`t have him as a "package deal" with David O`Fox!

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Mad Brewer

Friday, February 10, 2012
JD, I agree that Wes' biggest problem is getting knocked off the ball and this often results in an opposition break, he can also be a bit scary in defence. I am not sure that bulking up would help as I think it is more about his style of play. He always has his head up looking for the next move and the ball a little further from him than some so he has the opportunity to put in a long pass that splits the defence or a pin-point cross to where Grant Holt is going to be in a couple of seconds. However, this also makes him vulnerable. I think that he is at his best playing with David Fox as Fox's passes often give him that little bit more time to put in his masterstroke.

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Swiss Canary

Friday, February 10, 2012
Strangely, I am not a huge fan of Wes playing for Norwich (although he did have one of his best games last time out). For me he gets out muscled too often in the Prem and does not have to speed to get away from people. However, I do think he could do a job for the Ireland as international football is less physical then the prem and he will get more time to do what he does best. Ideally, as far as city as concerned, I would like some one to get to work on his bulk to make more difficult to knock off the ball.

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john doe

Friday, February 10, 2012
Strangely, I am not a huge fan of Wes playing for Norwich (although he did have one of his best games last time out). For me he gets out muscled too often in the Prem and does not have to speed to get away from people. However, I do think he could do a job for the Ireland as international football is less physical then the prem and he will get more time to do what he does best. Ideally, as far as city as concerned, I would like some one to get to work on his bulk to make more difficult to knock off the ball.

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john doe

Friday, February 10, 2012
It is a unanimous call in the Irish community I live with here. However, I think that you are absolutely right that Trapatoni's system does not suit Wes' capabilities and his staements do not give much indication that he is about to change. As you say it's our gain as the risk is that ruthless cloggers would hurt him in order to stop him.

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Swiss Canary

Friday, February 10, 2012
Of course he should be playing for Ireland, every one I work with can't understand why he isn't. Traps way of playing, however, does not allow for players like Wes. Ireland are not great to watch, however they are very difficult to beat the way he has then set up and they have qualified for the Euro's this year. It would be great to see him given a run of games, but every cloud has a silver lining, Irelands loss is Norwich's gain!

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RoadWarrior

Friday, February 10, 2012