Whilst getting City back into the Championship will be at the top of his agenda, Wes Hoolahan has revealed that he has one eye on a possible World Cup appearance next summer.
The Irishman is in the best form of his Canary life and with eight goals so far, he’s scoring as well as creating. And with Ireland still in with a shout of qualifying through the play-offs, Hoolahan admitted it was on his mind.
“Obviously you think about things like that. But I have to keep playing well for Norwich and putting in good performances and you never know, next year,” said the 27-year-old, who will be watching this Wednesday’s France vs Ireland second leg with great interest.
But the former Blackpool man was happy to concentrate on the here and now in Norfolk. After that, what will be, will be.
“I’ve just got to keep doing well with Norwich, playing well and getting us up a division and back into the Championship where we belong. You never know what happens after that.”
Hoolahan, who won his first Ireland cap in last May’s friendly with Colombia at Craven Cottage, was speaking to the media after Saturday’s 2-0 success over Tranmere Rovers. And he was happy with the way they coped with Rovers’ stubborn rearguard – something the Canaries are going to have to get used to.
“They threw something different at us and they stopped us playing at times. But we came out for the second half and played a bit better and passed the ball quicker.
“It was difficult in the first half though. I think they came here with a game plan and they did well and you could see the second half we were getting more into it.
“I think they were getting tired and a few of the boys were getting cramps on the other team – obviously they were working themselves very hard in the first half and we have just got to keep playing and playing and grinding them down and eventually we got the goal.
“But you are not going to play pretty every game and get three or four goals. You are going to have to grind it out and luckily enough we got the goals and it’s three points at the end of the day, that’s the main thing, it keeps us up there.”
Meanwhile, the City second string claimed a notable friendly scalp last night, defeating West Ham reserves 2-1. Ian Crook named a strong side and while the Hammers named a more youthful XI, it means the winning habit sweeping Carrow Road continues.
Cody McDonald gave Norwich the perfect start when heading home Rhoys Wiggins’ cross after just 42 seconds. Paul McVeigh then added a second from the spot after the lively McDonald was brought down in the box.
Jack Werndley pulled one back for the Irons but it was too little, too late for the visitors. And Crook was satisfied after a good workout, with Stephen Hughes and Michael Nelson completing the full 90 minutes.
“West Ham are a good side. Although you won’t know many of them by name, they play together regularly in the Premier Reserve League,” ‘Chippy’ told the club’s official website.
“They pass the ball well but obviously it was a good start for us. There were around a dozen passes, a great cross and then a great finish but it was never going to be easy I must admit.”
“We would have normally played some of the younger lads but they’ve got an FA Youth Cup game on Wednesday [at Torquay Utd). So, I had a chat with the gaffer, and we decided to play some of the more experienced ones.
“As I’ve said before, reserve team football is not always about silky skills – although I still thought we passed the ball nicely. Tonight, it was about giving Hughesy, [Jamie] Cureton, McVeigh and McDonald 90 minutes.”
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