Right, first off, as a fervent supporter of McLean, after last night, I have to say, I was wrong. He's really not cut out for the PL. Last night was a chance for some of our fringe/out of favour players to show what they're capable of, against what amounted from Spurs to a 2nd team but easily an upper mid PL table team. Defoe? Seriously why is he not playing every week? Anyhoo, I was expectant some of ours would show what they're made of, and sadly they did. McLean - Lovely lad, plays his heart out, but is just not good enough for us now. That penalty, considering he's a striker, was just awful. I coulda saved that ffs. Needs selling. Prossie - Just looks out of his depth. Was worth a punt, but needs to be sold, he'll never be good enough for us, even if we get relegated. Gedo - Still not sure. He didn't look 100% match fit, but still showed some bursts of class. I think with some more, proper, game time, he might actually be ok still, so am still reserving judgement. Graham - No idea what's wrong with him, but he also looks like a worthwhile punt that is not working. He doesn't look like he could score in a brothel. I'd get rid of him too. He's had more than enough chances, and that offside last night, ok it wouldnt have counted but ffs, he should have at least still hit the target. On the bright side, I thought the rest of the team did ok, Jak was actually ok in goal which was a surprise. A proper first team and we would have done Spurs in both games, which is slightly comforting, but when we have some key players out as we have, we really need better cover than we have.
Sorry mate I think you're getting ahead of yourself. To say we need better depth based off of last night's game is frankly ridiculous. We went up against what feasibly could be a top-half set of players with essentially our reserves from last year, let alone this year, and almost won. We just need to focus on not getting relegated this season, which we're well on our way to doing. We can worry about getting a competent second string team next season.
McLean is just ***an all over again. He could be useful to run at defences for the last 10-15 minutes of games (that we aren't chasing), but that really is his limit at this level. Prossie still looks like a rabbit in the headlights. Some good touches, but I had to laugh when he was pretty much bulldozed over by one of the Spurs players (cant remember who). We're crying out for a prolific goal scorer, but easier said then done. I'm not sure how SB the Allams will play it in January. If we're already mid-table will they want to splash any more cash on a striker? If we're in a dog fight would the risk the fee and salary of a goal scorer with the possibility of us going down... Personally, unless the right players become available or injuries are still plaguing us, I don't see many changes of personnel until Summer.
SB will already be working behind the scenes to replace the likes of Mclean, Prossie + Fryatt in January. We need to strengthen in January - and not be weakened by the transfer window - in order to maintain our momentum and remain clear of the relegation dogfight.
I'm hardly the type that over reacts and has knee jerk reactions to our situation, especially with players, and I know we can't shift the fookers in Oct! I'm just acknowledging I was wrong over McLean and saying I think we need to get rid of a few when we can. It's not like they're going to come good between now and Jan is it?
The problem with McLean, I understand, is that he's on a reasonably decent wedge, much more than a lower Championship or League 1 team could come close to. Also, as he is now 30 and has the chance of the odd scrap of Premier League football, I'm sure he doesn't think there's much rush to jump and scrap it out in the lower leagues again, like he's done all his career. So I don't think it's easy to simply pack him up and **** him off. As for Prossie, no one wants him and he doesn't want to leave.
I think rightly or wrongly that Brucey wants to sign Livermore in Jan hopefully to free up a loan spot, then irrespective of how things are looking come Jan he can bring some proven PL quality in for upfront through a loan at the very least.
I'd be amazed if we pick up any "proven PL quality in for upfront through a loan". Perhaps an ambition attempt for someone like Defoe or Demba Ba (proven but not getting game time) for the rest of the season, but I really would be impressed if we managed anything like that...
So basically you now admit what most of us have said all along , Mclean is a lovely lad , very hard working but not good enough Fair play for admitting you were wrong I guess but we are going to have problems shifting him on his wages
Whatever fan's opinions are regarding the 'Gang of Couldn't Hit a Barn Door' the likelihood is we're stuck with them until the window opens. McLean and Prossy are history but I still think Graham and Gedo (especially) have a good deal to offer the team.
Ta for getting the main point of the post, seemingly lost on some. I get that we can't shift them right now, and that it'll be possibly difficult even in Jan, but I was just trying to say I was previously wrong on Mclean and Prossie, and sharing my current views on Gedo and Graham.
Any international forward who is not in his club's starting 11 (like Defoe) will be itching to get some game time to show their respective manager what they can do before the World Cup squads are announced. Could work to our advantage?
