MARK Hughes has dropped a heavy hint that Glenn Whelan is in pole position to nail down Stoke Citys problem anchor midfield role. The Ireland international won rare praise from the Stoke boss after starting only his third league game of the season in Saturdays crucial 2-0 victory over Sunderland. That now leaves Whelan poised to continue in the holding position largely shared by Wilson Palacios and Marc Wilson so far this term. Hughes was anxious to highlight Whelans performance after fearing it could slip off the radar because fellow midfielders Charlie Adam and Steven Nzonzi bagged the all-important goals for Stokes first win since the end of August. I thought Charlie and Glenn did really well, said Hughes, and it was good to see them looking fit and well. Glenn looks free of a niggly hamstring issue which looks like it has resolved itself and I thought he was really effective. Charlie will always create things and have a positive effect on a game, just like he did against Sunderland.I thought all the midfield three were excellent. Weve been trying to get Steven Nzonzi higher up the park to get into better attacking areas and youve seen him involved in creating the first goal and scoring the second himself. Adam has shed around two kilos to boost his chances of winning a regular starting place and lasting 90 minutes.I think its more the determination of Charlie to get in the team and stay in the team, thats what is driving it for for him, Hughes added. But of course if Charlie loses weight and gets a bit trimmer, it can only help you.Hughes,said Adam deserved credit for not making a meal of the challenge which saw Wes Brown controversially dismissed for Sunderland in the 36th minute. Referee Kevin Friend sparked a mixture of anger and shock when he waved red after Brown played the ball with a robust challenge, but also caught Adam slightly to leave the Scot hopping towards Stokes nearby technical area. Hughes, who backed the referees decision, said: Mayhem broke out after the challenge, but I was more concerned with Charlie because it could have done a lot of damage. I thought it was reckless, a bit out of control and could have really hurt Charlie. Hes got away with it and only got a slight gash on his leg, but it could have been much worse. If you are reckless and out of control then theres the possibility you might get sent off. Thats my interpretation of it. Its a shame that people will say that changed the game, but I dont think it did because we were 1-0 up and in control and the focus should be on our performance and result. Adam himself, ironically sent off by Friend in the last home game of last season, added: He caught me, but I spoke to the referee and he said it was just the force after the tackle – thats why he got sent off.I never ever tried to get him sent off. At the time, I didnt think it was a red card. Sometimes in the game that happens and you get the decisions. Stephen Ireland missed a chance to impress Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane after suffering a shin injury in training following a challenge by Oussama Aassaidi. stokesentinel.co.uk/Stoke-City-Glenn-Whelan-key-Potters-midfield-says/story-20170768-detail/story.html#comments#ixzz2ldsjQwPK
Posted on: Mon, 25 Nov 2013 08:07:28 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015