Former Norwich midfielder Wes Hoolahan made his debut for West Brom in their 4-2 win against Bristol City on Tuesday night – and a section of fans were full of praise for the newest addition at The Hawthorns.
Hoolahan, 36, came off the bench for the final 16 minutes of Albion’s impressive win this week, just days after he agreed to join the Black Country club on a free transfer.
And it did not take long for some Baggies fans to be impressed by the Irish playmaker, with one even comparing him to Lionel Messi.
This is Futbol has rounded up some of the best tweets below:
Hoolahan looks like a very decent addition to the squad, fit as a fiddle and very skilful. Looks about 12 #wba
— SemperTeFallant (@MattRowley83) September 19, 2018
Great to see him off the bench and getting stuck in so soon.
— Safiya Outlines (@SafiyaOutlines) September 19, 2018
Honestly thought we were bringing the macot on when hoolahan came on #wba #midget
— Massey (@BoxingMass) September 18, 2018
I'm sure ppl will disagree….(I heard ppl moaning about Gayle's removal). But I thought Hoolahan was calm and very good on the ball. Brought stability back when the ship was creaking at the end. Quite impressed #wba
— Luke Mason (@jastle68) September 18, 2018
Ratings…
Johnstone 6
Hegazi 6
Bartley 6
Dawson 5
Barry 8
Livermore 7
Phillips 8
Gibbs 7
Barnes 9
Gayle 8
Rodriguez 8Hoolahan 7
HRK 6
Field 6Fair? #WBA
— EighteenSeventyEight (@1878_WBA) September 18, 2018
Thought Hoolahan did alright when he came on. Very calm and kept possession well. #wba
— Stuart Bailey (@SJB74) September 18, 2018
Barnes is a class act. Will probably be recalles to Leicester in january. Fingers crossed he stays the season. Lookimg at those 3 makes me think GMac would have been a great option to have kept. I think Hoolahan might be a shrewd signing. neat and tidy player #wba
— Damon Killian (@htimsAJ) September 18, 2018
Hoolahan looked ok when he came on some neat touches we need 2 keep Barnes 4 the whole season mate ????????
— ANTHONY GUEST (@baggieboy68) September 18, 2018
Can’t help but marvel at the pace and energy Hoolahan showed when he came on.
He’s a year older than me…wish I had that kind of energy, my legs hurt watching him! #wba— Chris Hall (@CJHall83) September 18, 2018
We’re basically Barcelona and Hoolahan is our Messi #wba
— Ryan (@Ryan_wba1) September 18, 2018
OPINION
It was a great night to be a West Brom fan on Tuesday and Hoolahan could not have asked for better circumstances to make his debut for the promotion contenders. There were a few Albion fans that were not happy that they had signed a 36-year-old free agent who had been without a club since Norwich released him at the end of last season. However those concerned fans must surely have changed their minds after a sparkling cameo appearance in the win over Bristol City. It just shows how much of a top professional Hoolahan is. He has not played a minute of football since the end of last season, but just days after signing for West Brom, he was straight into the squad and playing a role in a brilliant win. Hoolahan will be a great back-up option as the season goes on and these Albion fans have every right to be excited about what he can bring to the side.