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"The pundits who are in love with Wes Hoolahan never mention that fact"

Former Ireland defender Paddy Mulligan believes some of the pundits lavishing praise on Wes Hoola...



"The pundits who are in lo...
Soccer

"The pundits who are in love with Wes Hoolahan never mention that fact"

Former Ireland defender Paddy Mulligan believes some of the pundits lavishing praise on Wes Hoolahan do not mention any of the mistakes the player makes.

Hoolahan played his part in Ireland's qualification for a Euro 2016 playoff place with certain pundits calling for the Norwich midfielder to be a fixture in the side.

But Paddy feels there are weaknesses in Hoolahan's game.

"Trapattoni saw that Wes Hoolahan was too light in midfield, not strong enough, not big enough. We saw that with Hoolahan against Serbia two years ago when Matic just ran amok with him," said Paddy on Newstalk's Monday Rewind as he reacted to last night's defeat to Poland.

"Wes Hoolahan will hold onto the ball and last Thursday night [versus Germany] there was an incident where Hoolahan got to the end-line, pulled it back for Jonathan Walters, Walters had a shot and it deflected out for a corner kick. But prior to that move, Hoolahan was on the ball about 15 yards inside the German half and Daryl Murphy made a run from Hummels right across to Boateng and all it needed was it to be lifted over the top. But Wes Hoolahan didn't see that. He's a midfield player, he has to see that run because that's what strikers are always looking for. 

"What did he do? He turned and played it back to John O'Shea. That's criminal. But the pundits who are in love with Wes Hoolahan never mention that fact. What he gives is five yards back and five yards sideways. That's what he gives."

Paddy also picked out another side of Hoolahan's game that he sees as a weakness.

"Now, twice in the second half last Thursday night, he tried to play the ball forward twice and twice he gave it away to the Germans. But nobody is picking up on that. I've no problem with Wes Hoolahan whatsoever, provided he's producing. What makes him attractive is that he's left footed and he's nippy and quick, but I want to see Wes Hoolahan play the penetrating ball and he doesn't do that often enough."

Listen to the full chat with Paddy, Oisin and I on the Rewind podcast:

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