Give him a chance!!

[ozzyadams]

Okay; so mcleary had a bad game against cardiff; whoop de doo!
Mcgugan has had plenty of quiet games lately; so ahs perch and they get in the team...
Just a few reminders about mcleary in recent games

Game against derby FA cup - assist for earnie
Game against sheff wed - assist for tyson
Game against derby league - assist for earnie

I just dont understand why he aint being given a chance considering he is a winger? Yet we play central midfielders on the wings ??? Surely he can come in these next two games for perch who is now suspended and give us some natural width; with anderson on the other side???

 

[king_congo_red]

I just dont understand why he aint being given a chance considering he is a winger?

Possibly Davies trying to keep him fresh? Unlike the majority of his team-mates he hasn't had a full season of professional football yet.

 

[FBS]

I rate McCleary very highly. I think he will be a fantastic talent in a couple of seasons. But he does deserve to start at present. He has the skills and control to take on players.

 

[Jonathan]

If we don't sign anyone by Saturday, he'll start on the left with Cohen moving inside.

He may even start in place of Anderson, who could be knackered.

 

[ozzyadams]

You just get the feeling on here that some people are already writing him off for not being good enough already! Makes me mad!

 

[FBS]

I think BD is possibly worried about his inexperience playing a part. But how do you gain that experience if you don't get played??????

 

[Senior Flange Technician]

i think he's a great player with a lot of potential, i'd say currently a very decent league one player, with the potential to be a decent premiership winger, it's all up to him and his attitude, he'll be on fire for our play off campaign next season

I think BD is possibly worried about his inexperience playing a part. But how do you gain that experience if you don't get played??????

by making sub appearances and leaving no doubt that you're the best available

 

[tricky_tree1982]

I think McCleary is a fantastic player. However, he's only ever looked good when coming off the bench! When he starts a game, he's not as effective!

I'd say he's definitely good enough for this league but you may remember something posted on here a while ago that BD gave him a good talking to for giving the ball away far too often in training! Maybe that's why he's not been starting.

 

[Jonathan]

I think BD is possibly worried about his inexperience playing a part. But how do you gain that experience if you don't get played??????

Fair point, but I think it's because McCleary doesn't yet have the awareness that comes with being a professional.

Too often, he'll attempt to run at someone when there's an easier option such as a short pass and to be fair, his crossing isn't the best yet.

I know he has claimed three assists, but if I'm not mistaken, two of them were excellent goals taken from a low cross. What I mean is, he doesn't have a range of crossing, more a hit and hope.

That said, I rate him and think he's a very good impact player.

 

[FBS]

Fair point, but I think it's because McCleary doesn't yet have the awareness that comes with being a professional.

Too often, he'll attempt to run at someone when there's an easier option such as a short pass and to be fair, his crossing isn't the best yet.

I know he has claimed three assists, but if I'm not mistaken, two of them were excellent goals taken from a low cross. What I mean is, he doesn't have a range of crossing, more a hit and hope.

That said, I rate him and think he's a very good impact player.

But that will come with time and match practise. I'd expect to see him perfecting the art in around 3/4 seasons time

 

[Jonathan]

But that will come with time and match practise. I'd expect to see him perfecting the art in around 3/4 seasons time

Of course it'll come with match practice, I never said it wouldn't.

I'm just saying that at the moment he doesn't have it, and you can't play someone for an hour of a match that doesn't have the composure to put a decent ball in as well as playing the basics properly.

 

[FBS]

Of course it'll come with match practice, I never said it wouldn't.

I'm just saying that at the moment he doesn't have it, and you can't play someone for an hour of a match that doesn't have the composure to put a decent ball in as well as playing the basics properly.

I think he does have that composure 9/10 times. But it's that 1 time that it doesn't happen that everyone remembers. But I agree with you that if you have a player who can't handle the situation they are put in (e.g. a Derby game) then it's not worth the risk.

 

[nigelnffc]

i think he needs areal chance in the side, he looks like he could be a quality player in the future

 

[Jonathan]

I think he does have that composure 9/10 times. But it's that 1 time that it doesn't happen that everyone remembers. But I agree with you that if you have a player who can't handle the situation they are put in (e.g. a Derby game) then it's not worth the risk.

I'd already left so I could beat the traffic when we scored our goal on Saturday and was right outside the ground when I heard the cheers, so I couldn't comment on how McCleary did cause I didn't see (it was him who crossed wasn't it?)

I think he has the potential to be a very good player at this level and he has the raw ability and I'm sure Billy Davies knows that and is trying not to put too much pressure on him too soon.

Birmingham signed a non-league player in January (Robin Shroot, I think) and he's only played twice for them because it's a case of adapting to a much quicker style of football.

I don't know how much non-league football you have or do watch, but I saw McCleary play against Eastbourne Borough last year before he signed for us and the match was shit.

Eastbourne won 3-1 and it was so stop-start because players don't have the ability to keep running for 90 minutes like in league football. McCleary stood out that day and scored a pretty good goal for Bromley and you can see why we signed him, but he isn't anywhere near the finished article yet.

He lacks the natural ability, let's say, of a player brought through a professional club's academy like you see in Paul Anderson, for example.

Decision making is an important part of any player's game, and McCleary's isn't that great yet, which is why Davies had a go at him in training.

He chooses the more difficult option too often and loses the ball rather than playing a simple pass.

Yes, it is very impressive when he goes past a full-back and gets a cross in, but he needs to understand and learn that wingers need other aspects to their game, and that will come with substitute appearances and the odd start until he is fully up to scratch.

I'd imagine that within a year, he'll be a much better player than he is now.

 

[FBS]

I'd imagine that within a year, he'll be a much better player than he is now.

Yeah, totally agree.

 

[weasel]

I actually agree, McCleary has looked good every time he's come on recently.

He's potentially a Harewood character, bags of pace and skill and we might have to tear our hair out with him for 5 seasons before he becomes a million pound player. But the symmetry is there for all to see, and lets hope he does go that way.

 

[Dadford]

I think BD is possibly worried about his inexperience playing a part. But how do you gain that experience if you don't get played??????

How indeed. Heath, Thornhill, Malloney may have the answer.

 

[ozzyadams]

I'd already left so I could beat the traffic when we scored our goal on Saturday and was right outside the ground when I heard the cheers, so I couldn't comment on how McCleary did cause I didn't see (it was him who crossed wasn't it?)

I think he has the potential to be a very good player at this level and he has the raw ability and I'm sure Billy Davies knows that and is trying not to put too much pressure on him too soon.

Birmingham signed a non-league player in January (Robin Shroot, I think) and he's only played twice for them because it's a case of adapting to a much quicker style of football.

I don't know how much non-league football you have or do watch, but I saw McCleary play against Eastbourne Borough last year before he signed for us and the match was s**t.

Eastbourne won 3-1 and it was so stop-start because players don't have the ability to keep running for 90 minutes like in league football. McCleary stood out that day and scored a pretty good goal for Bromley and you can see why we signed him, but he isn't anywhere near the finished article yet.

He lacks the natural ability, let's say, of a player brought through a professional club's academy like you see in Paul Anderson, for example.

Decision making is an important part of any player's game, and McCleary's isn't that great yet, which is why Davies had a go at him in training.

He chooses the more difficult option too often and loses the ball rather than playing a simple pass.

Yes, it is very impressive when he goes past a full-back and gets a cross in, but he needs to understand and learn that wingers need other aspects to their game, and that will come with substitute appearances and the odd start until he is fully up to scratch.

I'd imagine that within a year, he'll be a much better player than he is now.

Funny you should mention robin shroot! I was round his apartment the other day with him and scott sinclair (long long story) He has played one full game against wolves in the cup; and was their man of the match. And hasnt been seen since??? Strange... Yet mcleish has come out and said he is a key key player no matter what division birmingham are in next season... Some managers are so strange....

 

[voice of truth]

I think McCleary is a fantastic player. However, he's only ever looked good when coming off the bench! When he starts a game, he's not as effective!

I'd say he's definitely good enough for this league but you may remember something posted on here a while ago that BD gave him a good talking to for giving the ball away far too often in training! Maybe that's why he's not been starting.

What about against whoever it was when he ran the length of the pitch before putting tyson through to score and generally played superbly. He started then!

 

[WatnallRed]

Totally agree but with billys hoof ball and mcleary liking to run with it i cant see him getting much of a game.
My midfield at the club would be from left to right Anderson Cohen Moussi Mcleary
Mcgugan hasnt seemed in games as much this year.

 

[mouldy]

I am surprised he hasn't started recently. The last 2 games our goals have come from McCleary assists. I am more shocked that a blatantly unrecovered Anderson was selected ahead of him. I think he is one of the best wingers at the club and fully warrants a start.

 

[Dorset Red]

Yeah, totally agree.

Would agree as well and with BD constantly harping on about inexperience etc then that is the clearest indication as to why he is being used as an impact player. Having said that, some of the more 'experienced' players have not exactly made good choices either have they?

In a season or two I would have expected him to work his way into the team as a starter and I would not be suprised if he did not start next season out on loan before coming back in to boost things around January. However if we are in Div 1 then I think he will get far more chances.

 

[goatboy]

I take the initial point made here but at the Cardiff game he looked like he had as much chance of ever successfully controlling the ball as Jady Goody has of winning Miss World 2015.

He's a supersub at this stage and this level. I'd not be waiting until the seventieth to bring him on, nor would I start him. Let him watch a game for a while, and see from the sidelines where he can fit into play when he comes on - I think he benefits from that.

 

[kmm5000]

I'd already left so I could beat the traffic when we scored our goal on Saturday and was right outside the ground when I heard the cheers, so I couldn't comment on how McCleary did cause I didn't see (it was him who crossed wasn't it?)

I think he has the potential to be a very good player at this level and he has the raw ability and I'm sure Billy Davies knows that and is trying not to put too much pressure on him too soon.

Birmingham signed a non-league player in January (Robin Shroot, I think) and he's only played twice for them because it's a case of adapting to a much quicker style of football.

I don't know how much non-league football you have or do watch, but I saw McCleary play against Eastbourne Borough last year before he signed for us and the match was shit.

Eastbourne won 3-1 and it was so stop-start because players don't have the ability to keep running for 90 minutes like in league football. McCleary stood out that day and scored a pretty good goal for Bromley and you can see why we signed him, but he isn't anywhere near the finished article yet.

He lacks the natural ability, let's say, of a player brought through a professional club's academy like you see in Paul Anderson, for example.

Decision making is an important part of any player's game, and McCleary's isn't that great yet, which is why Davies had a go at him in training.

He chooses the more difficult option too often and loses the ball rather than playing a simple pass.

Yes, it is very impressive when he goes past a full-back and gets a cross in, but he needs to understand and learn that wingers need other aspects to their game, and that will come with substitute appearances and the odd start until he is fully up to scratch.

I'd imagine that within a year, he'll be a much better player than he is now.

It was a poor goal, a good cross whipped in but it hit his shin and he then slid in with the defender to bundle it over the line. I do agree with him standing out in the Bromley team that day, Bromley were woeful though...

The only reason I went was because I heard the rumour of him possibly having a trial with us and wanted to see how he played....

Was nice to stand all match though, I might start going to Hucknall town a little bit more this year. Does anybody know the pricing for them? It was 12 quid last year, way way too high...

EDIT : I knew I had his goal in my archives somewhere, I know I am sad for having goals from a player who wasn't even in our team yet ;D Hopefully it works

 

[rated10]

Fair point, but I think it's because McCleary doesn't yet have the awareness that comes with being a professional.

Too often, he'll attempt to run at someone when there's an easier option such as a short pass and to be fair, his crossing isn't the best yet.

I know he has claimed three assists, but if I'm not mistaken, two of them were excellent goals taken from a low cross. What I mean is, he doesn't have a range of crossing, more a hit and hope.
That said, I rate him and think he's a very good impact player.

Well he's is the best crosser out of our wingers and thats off either foot