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Is it time to test out Wes Hoolahan as a deep-lying playmaker for Ireland?

Yesterday comments from Ireland attacking midfielder Wes Hoolahan suggested that international re...



Is it time to test out Wes Hoo...
Soccer

Is it time to test out Wes Hoolahan as a deep-lying playmaker for Ireland?

Yesterday comments from Ireland attacking midfielder Wes Hoolahan suggested that international retirement could be an option after Euro 2016 as he turns 34 just before the tournament.

For much of his relatively short Ireland career, the Norwich midfielder has been entrusted with the "No 10" role behind the striker.

But for ex-Boys in Green full-back, a deeper role in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 beside a holder like James McCarthy or Glenn Whelan could actually be far more suitable in a more constructive approach to matches - if not at the Euros, then afterwards.

That was a discussion point Oisin Langan and I put to the former Chelsea, West Brom and Crystal Palace defender on this week's Rewind between the Switzerland and Slovakia fixtures.

"I'd prefer to see Wes go back and receive the ball, turn and get on it and start playing it forward, rather than trying to play off the front man. I think he can do that job in the Irish setup because we don't have too many players who are comfortable on the ball," he said.

If Hoolahan were to be moved to a deeper position to dictate the play, new cap Alan Judge could be one of the options to be moved into that zone behind the striker, although Paddy feels the Brentford player was fielded out of position against Switzerland.

"He was played out on the left last Friday and that to me is ridiculous. First international cap, you've got to play him where he's most comfortable and that's in central midfield and if he was in there he might have done something. Instead, he looked a worse player than what he actually is," said Paddy. 

Paddy also shared his opinion on James McClean being given a run-out up front and the deficiencies of Aiden McGeady:

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