James McClean vows to stay on the attack by Mark Douglas, The JournalJan 5 2012 BULLISH Black Cats winger James McClean has no problem with shouldering the burden of being labelled as one of the Premier Leagueâs rising stars â as he pledges not to stop attacking top-flight defences. The Derry-born wide man has been the shining light of Sunderlandâs brilliant start under Martin OâNeill, building on a fine display in the defeat of Manchester City with his first goal at windswept Wigan. It was merely the icing on the cake of another performance that had Black Cats fans purring over the unheralded summer arrival. A real âthrowbackâ winger who appears to have no qualms about taking on full-backs, he could be the answer to the left-wing dilemma that has plagued Sunderland all season. As well as an attacking style and a laudable work-rate, McClean is also not short of confidence â perhaps the prime reason why he has been able to make such a seamless step from the League of Ireland to the rarified air of the Premier League As he reflected on an âunreal 48 hoursâ, he insists he can justify the hype that is beginning to build around one of Sunderlandâs most exciting discoveries for years. âItâs a great feeling to receive any praise and I am playing with no fear,â he said. âI have great confidence in my own ability and that has always been me. No matter who the full-back is Iâm faced with, I want to get past him and get my crosses and shots in. âIt has felt strange that I just seem to have adapted straight away to the Premier League, but the more I am playing, the more confidence I am getting. I just keep working hard. âWhen I first arrived in the summer I told myself I would work hard and aim to improve. I knew I was not going to get in the team straight away, but the aim was to get in as soon as possible. âWith the gym work, training with better players every day and under the coaches we have had, itâs helped me come a long way.â Part of the reason for the excitement surrounding McClean is his style â a real return to the days of wingers who run at their marker and deliver crosses. It is something Sunderland havenât had for a long time, with the club beginning the season with central midfielders played on the wing to little attacking effect. McClean insists he will never let his offensive intent be diluted. âItâs always been my game growing up,â he said. âI was a winger who just liked to try to beat the full-backs, get in the crosses or try to get a shot away. Thatâs what I have always enjoyed doing. âThatâs been drummed in with me during my time at Derry City. That will never change. I am loving every minute. It is something I have always dreamed of, so Iâm just loving it. âI just want it to continue and I want to progress.â His emergence is certainly a timely boost to OâNeill, who will have noted the imbalance in the squad he inherited. Former boss Steve Bruce had tried unsuccessfully to land Charles NâZogbia to add threat from the left-hand side of midfield in the summer and the assumption was that the Black Cats would look to bring in a winger in January. McCleanâs rise may have saved OâNeill the bother, though. The delighted 22-year-old knows he has been handed an almighty opportunity â and he is not about to waste it. âI just had to go about my business and hope for a chance. Now I have got that chance. I have been waiting my whole life for it. I canât sum up how I am feeling,â he said. Thrilled for the lad, early days but so refreshing to see. Keep it going Macca lad.
I like this lad a lot!! Been so impressed with him when he's played and when he talks, he talks sense!! Still early days but he looks like a proper old fashioned winger (for those on the board under the age of 20 he's the type of player that hugs the touchline, runs at defenders, loves a shot with either foot and can cross a ball - these are the normal things we expect of wingers) I can't understand why Bruce never played him after seeing him in the current side
He come across as very down to Earth too doesn't he? Like he wont let it all go to his head so to speak. This lad could be an absolute steal at 300 grand.
It is the playing without fear thing for me. I seem to recall in an earlier interview (after he had made his debut against Blackburn) that MON had said to him 'go and play your own game and don't worry about who the opposition is'. For a young lad to play as well as he did against Man City he is certainly not worrying about the opposition. Well done James McClean and well done MON for playing him in the first place and having the courage to let him do his own thing.
A real ‘throwback’ winger who appears to have no qualms about taking on full-backs, he could be the answer to the left-wing dilemma that has plagued Sunderland all season. I'd say the last decade we've been plagued by not having a left winger, last natural left winger we had was Magic Johnston. Promising start from McLean though.
Yes, I like him too. Since Alf Ramsey won the World Cup with his 'wingless wonders', this style of play tends to have been forgotten. But a winger who goes past his full-back, gets to the bye-line and crosses accurately will always give defences a problem. When you cross a ball from the bye-line, the defenders have to face the wrong way. They can't just lash at your cross, because they can't see oncoming attackers - and a rebound from any of them might end up in your net. This is the most awkward position for a defender to be in. It recalls the time of Stan Matthews, Tom Finney and Billy Bingham, and, no matter how the fashions of the game change, it will always give opponents problems. McClean is exactly the type defenders don't like to play against, and it's very good that we've got him.
£300k ? Looks a hell of a player for that, great find for Sunderland. Impressed me in each game I've seen him play for Sunderland so far. Can see him having a good future if he keeps it up.
This is my point exactly though, about looking down the leagues for some hidden gems. Lads who have a burning hunger in their bellies to succeed and take their chance, not act like prima donnas demanding massive salaries and nursing huige ego's. McClean is one and I think the likes of Jordan Rhodes is another and the lad Sharp from Sheffield, They would work their arses off too imo, to make the grade and succeed and dont forget, they are all capable players as well. Less money and more return. How about these 4 for a January bargain hunt? Onuoha £3m Rhodes £4m Pienaar £5m Krankjar £3m Total £15m (not a Kings ransom exactly in the modern game is it?) With Frazier Campbell to return in the next couple of weeks, Gordon back in the fold, Brown, Bardsley and Turner back training, we will have a strong deep squad to finish the campaign with imo.
I agree with you Cest about looking lower down for hungry players like SKP. Surly it must be time to give Noble a go, he has such a good record in the reserves it must be time to give him a chance? McClean has probably saved us 10m that we might have spent on Zog. Time to go out and buy a class CB and class Striker in my book. Maybe Samba and ???
