He doesn't mean 3rd class as in behind 1st and 2nd class He means we would then have three class midfielders. De Silva and Coalce are the first and second, Whelan would be the third.
RE: occook, this is YOUR remark I see the misunderstanding! Thank you for your non patronising or condesending reply. Sorry thought it would be obvious within the context of the paragraph that I intended to say that he would be the 3rd good player we had in central midfield. Sorry. To reiterate. I like Glenn Whelan and would love to see him in the Red shirt.
Quality player - sign him if you get the chance. Scored some cracking goals for us. I'd trust Trappatoni's judgement over Tony Pulis's anyday of the week.