I was one of the knockers of James McLean who basically got to big for his boots, limited success went to his head, but over the last month, not withstanding limited ability he has grafted his nuts of, usually as a Sunderland supporter that used to do us or we certainly expected nothing less than 100%. A great deal of you have turned against him, thought, stretched the memory banks to remember killer kilbane, I used to love his endeavour but my god did the faithful make him a scapegoat. Debate, agree, disagree, other scapegoats ??
If you're crap, you're crap and both of them have limited ability. We need more than they have. The ability to do something your opponent isn't ready for is of great benefit. These two can be read easily and are/were less effective with every game. Odd flash is not enough. EPL defenders are very good and JM is generally put in the top pocket by the full back and left there. Whereas Rose...............
McClean has been much better in the last few games and I for one still have high hopes for the lad, although I do acknowledge that he still has a long way to go before he is the finished article..
So ok same question on the whole again, it's all mcleans fault, gonna call it non league Irish football player who's risen to the might of epl, it's all his fault, just like kilbane who was tortured by us safc fans, we made him a scapegoat, by the same token watched him albeit occasionally make some unbelievable runs/dribbles, at the time I thought support the lad, let HIM as McLean play with confidence, give me 11 100% ers anyday. So c'mon honesty, more scapegoats ?????
Remember what these dudes are being paid when being over-sympathetic to towards them. Sorry, but I kind of like to expect players to be reasonably two-footed, be able to kill a ball passed to them almost every time and shove it accurately to (a moving or static) team mate and learn from mistakes. How many times have we been guilty of surrendering possession so cheaply?
Scapegoat we do it all the time look at the stick Richardson got at times. philray why does a footballer need to be two footed in the past some if the Best wingers in the world only had one good foot. As to Jimmy Mac being in someone's back pocket why is he always doubled upon by defenders?
Players like Ji, Richardson (not getting a game for Fulham regularly these days now either), McClean, Kilbane etc are just not good enough and thats the simple fact. They are good lads, work hard for the team put in the effort but are just not good enough at the end of the day. Lads like Johnson are talented but from what I've seen of him so far he looks like he is a lazy ****er and uninterested despite his huge fee and wage packet. He is a good player and has shown in the past he can change games and in our team gets an almost automatic start every week and yet he still isn't performing. I can see myself coming to despise Johnson if he doesn't start to get his finger out and at least work hard in games he is struggling in. Bad games are excusable. Being an over paid cant be arsed lazy bastard isn't.
Froggy, as is often the case you have nailed it. A winger does not need to be 2 footed, hence that many top sides swap wingers sides during games so they can cut in and shoot, or cross, not even wingers, many more central players are completely one sided. Bang on as well about the doubling up, or at least covering in behind. For all our fans seem to suddenly think the lads ****, nigh on every oppo manager still drills his team to close the space behind or block Jimmy Mc. If they stop doubling up, he'll start beating his man and delivering again, so whichever way, he is creating space or opportunities. Add his frankly exceptional work rate & desire, and what is peoples issue? The lad is way better than given credit for, and I include myself earlier in the season when it was all doom and gloom, 8 weeks back in England and 5 live games, and I see that I was totally wrong on the lad. He does need a bit more guile and craft, but that will only come with fans encouragement, not derision.
Ain't hindsight a wonderful thing McLean outstanding today and the goal from Johnson also mentioned in this thread as potential scapegoat. Good call re Richardson but a lot of people 50:50 with him but he did get some stick, another decent servant to us. Outstanding today
