James McClean M Wrexham b.1989

**Carrigaline** · 18/02/2012, 4:27 PM

McClean is playing left-wing from what I can see.

**tricky_colour** · 18/02/2012, 4:32 PM

I think he is playing on the left side somewhere, that's the furthest side form the camera so hard to pick him out.
Arsenal are on their 3rd injury so far!

The last injury occurred to the guy tackling McClean.
Yep he seem to be on the left wing.

**DannyInvincible** · 18/02/2012, 5:01 PM

Good play by McClean there. Putting the Arsenal defence under pressure with his pace before hitting the side-netting after the ball came back into the box. Unlucky not to score.

**BonnieShels** · 18/02/2012, 5:24 PM

Another good run there to get the free from Sagna. We'll see more of him in this half.

**nigel-harps1954** · 18/02/2012, 5:52 PM

2-0 Sunderland now. Interesting.

**Yard of Pace** · 18/02/2012, 6:10 PM

The English co-commentator (don't know who it was) on the stream I was watching on picked out McClean and Sessegnon as the two stand-out performers today. Unbelievable work-rate from McClean, he said. I'd agree.

**theworm2345** · 18/02/2012, 6:18 PM

Originally Posted by Yard of Pace

The English co-commentator (don't know who it was) on the stream I was watching on picked out McClean and Sessegnon as the two stand-out performers today. Unbelievable work-rate from McClean, he said. I'd agree.

I think you're referring to Andy Townsend

**Yard of Pace** · 18/02/2012, 7:59 PM

Originally Posted by theworm2345

I think you're referring to Andy Townsend

Nah wasn't Andy, gimme a break! No one should be posting in here if they don't know what Townsend sounds like.

I think the stream was from Fox Sports, with English commentators.

**Irish_Praha** · 18/02/2012, 8:10 PM

Originally Posted by Yard of Pace

Nah wasn't Andy, gimme a break! No one should be posting in here if they don't know what Townsend sounds like.

I think the stream was from Fox Sports, with English commentators.

Maybe Andros Townsend?

**nigel-harps1954** · 19/02/2012, 1:24 AM

McClean had a great second half. Watched the game today and he really ran his socks off. Never afraid to get stuck in and bossed the Arsenal defence around. Really is improving with every game.

**BonnieShels** · 19/02/2012, 10:46 AM

He was in space at every opportunity. it's a shame Sessegnon rarely looked left.

**Serb** · 19/02/2012, 11:56 AM

There was another interesting article in the Guardian about James over the weekend. Seems like the British press is going wild about him. Here are a couple of select quotes:

[...] a winger who turns 23 in April is not only arguably the Premier League's discovery of the season, but he also offers hope to late developers everywhere.

If McClean's penchant for accelerating to the byline before whipping in crosses – ideally having beaten his full-back on the outside – make him seem something of a throwback, he comes equipped with 21st century accessories. Strong, quick, apparently fearless and, at 5ft 11in, reasonably tall, McClean possesses the sort of athlete's physique that explains why he – rather than the prolific yet less physically developed Noble – got a foot in the first-team door. It also means his game is not entirely reliant on wingers' tricks.

**tricky_colour** · 19/02/2012, 4:16 PM

Originally Posted by BonnieShels

He was in space at every opportunity. it's a shame Sessegnon rarely looked left.

Yea I noticed he hot into to good position a few times but the ball went the other side.

I'd say he played a part int he second goal too, I think he helped win the ball in the first place and then ran the length
of the pitch, the ball went the other side, but the fact he was up their on the left put pressure on the guy who got the
own goal, ie had he left it and allowed the ball to come out to the left of the goal McClean was there to pick it up.

Yep just had a look at it again, he was definitely involved in winning the ball near his own penalty area, ran the length of the pitch and if Chamberlain had not knocked it into his own net I think McClean would have been able to slot it in, it's just a question if it passed the other post before he got to it, if it hadn't all it needed was a touch, but once it passes the post the angle is very narrow. Not one of the Arsenal defenders picked him up either.

**Charlie Darwin** · 19/02/2012, 7:01 PM

I think full backs are starting to figure him out a bit. The last few games he hasn't been getting as many crosses in and Sagna just shepherded him inside every time. I think O'Neill will coach it into him that he has to keep defenders guessing though.

**tetsujin1979** · 20/02/2012, 10:32 AM

from the FAI's twitter feed: https://twitter.com/#!/FAIreland/statuses/171556614732652544

James McClean and Paul Green have been called into the squad for the Czech Match

No word on who they're replacing

**Scooby Doo** · 20/02/2012, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

from the FAI's twitter feed: https://twitter.com/#!/FAIreland/sta...56614732652544

No word on who they're replacing

Delighted about McClean...but the idea of Paul Green even on standby for Euro 2012 absolutely terrifies me! Also, hope that the players they are replacing are not from the expected starting 11.

**TrapAPony** · 20/02/2012, 10:43 AM

Paul bloody Green

...Delighted for McClean though

**Predator** · 20/02/2012, 10:57 AM

I don't think they're replacing anyone just yet. The FAI said the squad is simply enlarged to 26. They meet up on Sunday.

**legendz** · 20/02/2012, 11:24 AM

The right call has eventually been made. The footballing world has been more or less laughing at Trap since the surprise exclusion of McClean from the initial squad.