McLean has no idea in the box. We need someone who actually gets in the 6 yard box to get on the end of things. A finisher, a poacher - McLean is definately not these things.
I'm not saying he's the next Lineker, but he isn't anywhere near as bad as people make out. McLean hasn't scored loads so it's become the cool thing to say he's a donkey. Peterborough fans thought very highly of him and said his best attribute was his shooting in the box. Who's wrong? He had one shot today which was better than any shot Fryatt has had in the last 5 or 6 weeks, his goal last week was better than any of Fryatt's similar one-on-ones when he forgets to shoot completely, and his goal at Forest was a top drawer finish.
He's not a donkey, he's just not a natural finisher. Do you really think shooting in the box is his best attribute ??
No, just what the Posh fans said about him (the difference being that he scored more goals for them, which is sometimes all that our fans judge strikers on, there is no other contribution a striker can have). Personally I think the best thing about him is the 'massive fast black striker' factor. If he is running at you you're **** scared, just like Sinclair. I don't think he is the ideal candidate because while he does at least try to shoot properly, he misses too many of them (which is well publicised on these boards) But I think he is a better option than Fryatt overall because of the way he leads the attack. Since we've been playing 4-2-3-1 I can hardly remember Fryatt getting into a shooting position, the system seems to suit him less than the old one. I don't think much to his finishing either, he's missed a good 7 or 8 one-on-ones this season and not scored one. He can only actually shoot if the ball is absolutely perfect for him. It wouldn't bother me that much but the way everyone makes out there is such a massive difference between them pisses me off.
Mclean isnt big, fast or scary. He is strong for his size but compared to most centre halfs he gets battered about. I agree we have a problem with our strikers which is why i would like two bringing in and rotate them.
You love Mclean so you are never ever going to say a bad word about him. He has scored 7 in 46, maybe 47 now as i am not sure if that includes yesterdays game. That record is not good enough for a play off chasing team. Sonko should of smashed that ball into the stands and Mclean should never have got the chance to score, but he did due to horrific defending. Mclean wasn't the reason we looked good yesterday late on it was Brady, his movement created space all over the pitch for others to play in. On Sinclair, we won't sign him so whats the point in discussing him?
I don't love McLean at all. I'd much rather we had someone like Deano or Campbell, but we don't. I just feel the need to address the balance regarding the ridiculously harsh deal McLean gets on here compared to Fryatt who does absolutely nothing more. People are willing to look only at goals scored to compare strikers (as you have done above) as if there is no other contribution a striker could possibly have. Yet when McLean goes up front for a third of the time Fryatt was and makes loads more chances happen (like yesterday) the evidence is clear to see but it's ignored and we all make things up like 'must just have been Brady's impact', so that we can keep our fixed views on McLean and Fryatt. McLean scores a good goal and it's bad defending, look at all of Fryatt's goals, they are all very similar, usually involving nipping in between 2 or 3 defenders that really shouldn't let him past. Does that mean he's ****? Course not because it's Fryatt and he is quality.
Bigger clubs also wouldn't be seriously interested until the summer, having already played for Macc and P'boro he can't make another transfer this season. I still haven't worked out how he cocked up the one on one though. I know Chester did well to get across and make the challenge, but he seemed to knock it gently past Mannone and the next thing I knew the ball was 2 or 3 yards away from him as the challenge came in.
Sinclair looked dangerous for them yesterday, we did make it too easy for him at times in the first 10 minutes but he looked a threat whilst he was on the pitch.
Bigger clubs may have been interested in him when @ Macclesfield but for a prem club to buy a League 2 player is a big jump! Prem clubs that may have been interested when @ Macc will still be monitoring him - but in the championship at a much better standard. If they are still interested, they may bid in the summer
I recall when Chesterfield played us at BP. A certain Ryan Williams ripped us to shreds all afternoon. We signed him up in the summer - and he never seemed as good for us!
Folan was another one, although he had played for us in the past. ***an was the opposite though, I never really rated him at Colchester, was really impressed in his first season with us!
Wasn't impressed with Sinclair. Touch of a cart horse and crap in the air. He's a good athlete so he got in behind well but only when Hobbs and Chester made misjudgements (or Evans played him a through ball). He was great 1 on 1 against Macclesfield and half very good on Saturday. You can't blame him for the second chance, he did everything right but Chester's recovery was magnificent. He's average with his back to goal and won nothing in the air which is what we'd need to improve on our strikers.