James McClean M Wrexham b.1989

[DannyInvincible]

It's not a diplomatic answer — he's saying he wants to be in Northern Ireland's squad.

Even if that is to be how his comment should be interpreted, I don't see why it should be viewed as conflicting with his simultaneously-held preference to play for the FAI.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Sorry, belatedly.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/feb/28/james-mcclean-republic-of-ireland-debut

[Charlie Darwin]

The ovation given to McClean tonight was reminiscent of the rapturous reception given to Clinton Morrison as he came on in Mick's final game in charge, the loss to Switzerland. How times change.

[BonnieShels]

The ovation given to McClean tonight was reminiscent of the rapturous reception given to Clinton Morrison as he came on in Mick's final game in charge, the loss to Switzerland. How times change.

Reminded me of the ovation McCarthy got for his first competitive cap for us.

[tetsujin1979]

Definitely gave the crowd a massive boost, made me wonder what would have happened if Coleman had come on against Norway

[freewheel30]

Did Derry earn any windfall from McClean being capped tonight?

12 minutes not ideal, but in the context of Trapattoni's habits it's reasonably okay - it is in line with what he usually gives to substitute wingers anyway. Will the 23-man squad be finalised before or after the Bosnia / Herz. game? If after, McClean could play a bigger part in that match, provided his club form remains solid.

[Sullivinho]

Will the 23-man squad be finalised before or after the Bosnia / Herz. game?

Before it as far as I know. Interviewer made a comment to Cox that he must be hoping he's in the next squad because it'l be the one chosen for the Euros.

[Charlie Darwin]

Before it as far as I know. Interviewer made a comment to Cox that he must be hoping he's in the next squad because it'l be the one chosen for the Euros.
I think that was just the interviewer getting ahead of himself. I mean even today there were 6-7 players unavailable because of injury. You can't really go into a series of friendlies with 23 players. That's how you end up playing players who aren't fit and pick up more injuries.

[backstothewall]

Did Derry earn any windfall from McClean being capped tonight?

12 minutes not ideal, but in the context of Trapattoni's habits it's reasonably okay - it is in line with what he usually gives to substitute wingers anyway. Will the 23-man squad be finalised before or after the Bosnia / Herz. game? If after, McClean could play a bigger part in that match, provided his club form remains solid.

To be honest I can see his point here. It got him the big reception and got his debut out of the way without giving him the time to make a horrendous mistake.

[geysir]

Did Derry earn any windfall from McClean being capped tonight?

£45k according to the Indo.
Not enough to buy the league but sweet all the same.

[Maroon 7]

Tremendous reception for McClean last night. Think he got a louder roar than for Cox's goal. Think the crowd are excited to see new young players given a chance and it doesn't happen too often under Trap. Hence even more excitement.

[Dunny]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlHTbH-FRrw

[DannyInvincible]

James continues to entertain on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/JMcC_23/status/176026762852052992


Lee McGav ‏ @lee22bufc
@JMcC_23 you scared you wouldn't make It on the NI team ? #takearedner


James Mc Clean‏ @JMcC_23
@lee22bufc aye i was afraid of not making it in a team ranked 86th in the world so i chose a team ranked 20th... aye because ur not #thick

[the bear]

what the story with the # signs everytime someone posts something from twiter?

[DannyInvincible]

what the story with the # signs everytime someone posts something from twiter?

They're known as hashtags (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashtag).

[ArdeeBhoy]

Or in his case what makes him, er, #Irish...
;)

[DannyInvincible]

Niall Quinn spoke about Sunderland's signing of James McClean in an interview on the Late Late Show on Friday night. The section on McClean begins around 30:00: http://www.rte.ie/player/#!v=1138698

Interestingly, he makes it pretty clear that the desire to play for Ireland came from McClean's side and that Quinn contacted the FAI on the player's behalf to alert them to his ambition.

[geysir]

Thanks for the summary Danny as I won't be watching the LLS on RTE player, sometimes one's reasons to live are in a fragile state and need to be protected.

[Charlie Darwin]

Booked early for a rash tackle on Simpson. Held his own against a bit of aggro afterwards from Simpson and Krul.

[Charlie Darwin]

Just fluffed an open goal. He's done that in a few matches now. Could be very costly - seconds later Sessegnon is sent off for an elbow.

[ArdeeBhoy]

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.joe.ie%2Ffootball%2Ffootb all-news%2Ftweet-nothings-oneill-tells-mcclean-to-get-off-twitter-0021791-1&h=7AQFsUmucAQGt6Snyb-WyiWGhxwOhO1K454HfLODgHvg-CA

[DannyInvincible]

I'm sure James is well aware his tweets are public. I get the impression Joe.ie are overstating things a bit, though.


I am probably really acting my age now, but I really do not see the point of Twitter. I have no idea. Can you believe Stephen Fry Twitters? That is just unbelievable, a man of his intelligence running around saying ‘I had bacon today’. So if James if Twittering he wants to get himself a proper life, he really does.

That's not "bordering on vitriolic". It's bordering on frivolousness.

[John83]

Just fluffed an open goal. He's done that in a few matches now. Could be very costly - seconds later Sessegnon is sent off for an elbow.
I wouldn't hold it against him. Duffer's not exactly clinical in front of goal (at least one-on-one, don't recall him vs an open goal), and I wouldn't bet the house on McGeady in those sorts of situations either.

[tricky_colour]

Just fluffed an open goal. He's done that in a few matches now. Could be very costly - seconds later Sessegnon is sent off for an elbow.

Not sure if it was an open goal, I think he tried to put it behind the player rushing across rather than go for the 'open' part of the goal, it
nearly worked but the keeper left a leg out.
Nice bit of agro before that, he almost started a riot with his tackle. It was a good entertaining match over all often for the wrong reasons
but I think both sets of fans will go home thinking they got their moneys worth.

[Yard of Pace]

He was perfectly entitled to make that tackle, it wasn't dangerous at all. And there was plenty worse made in that game! Can't beat a full-blooded match like that, it was great to see on the highlights. (Except for Tiote feigning injury)
Also, I wouldn't say he missed an open goal. He could have scored but it was a difficult chance and he tried to place it but it didn't work out. He's scored 4 or whatever already though so it's not like he's a player that doesn't know how to put the ball in the net.

[tricky_colour]

Just a perfectly legal full blooded challenge, just slightly late. I'd much rather see that than a player afraid or
too lazy to put in a challenge, they are the sort of players you want on your side rather than those
who take a back seat, and they are certainty the player you want to watch.
It's a pity we do not see more of that in the game, all to often matches these days are like watching paint dry.

[Charlie Darwin]

He didn't make great contact with the ball. You could say he tried to place it but I think he just underhit it. Made it far too easy for the goalkeeper. Ashley Young showed how you place a ball from close range in the Spurs-Man Utd game.

[gastric]

Stephen Kelly has his say on James' standing in relation to the Irish team at the moment.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/quality-duff-still-ahead-of-mcclean-in-pecking-order-insists-kelly-3040102.html

[DannyInvincible]

STEPHEN KELLY has reminded Ireland fans that Damien Duff is still the No 1 wide option for Euro 2012 despite the growing calls for James McClean's inclusion in Giovanni Trapattoni's plans

McClean was given a hero's welcome for his Irish debut in Dublin last Wednesday. Trapattoni said afterwards that the public need to respect the contribution made by Duff and Aiden McGeady in qualifying for Poland despite the clamour for fresh blood.

Fulham defender Kelly admires how McClean has adapted to life in the Premier League on the wing with Sunderland, but agrees with Trapattoni's sentiments. He thinks that his club colleague Duff is ready to make a huge contribution this summer.

"McClean has come in and done well at Sunderland, but I'd always pick Damien," said Kelly. "Damien is quality.

I don't think anyone's strictly demanding McClean be given a place in the starting line-up at the expense of Duff. Rather, the calls are for his inclusion in the overall squad to provide another option/greater strength in depth.

[DannyInvincible]

Trap on McClean, today: http://www.joe.ie/football/international-football/what-has-trap-said-about-james-mcclean-now-0022053-1


Today, Trap was in Poland for a meeting of the participating coaches and he was, of course, asked about McClean.

"McClean is not important at the moment and he will have lots of opportunities in the future to play many, many games,” Trap said. “We change things slowly but he is a good young player so at this moment I have not made any decision. We have a good squad and the competition for him is tough as we have McGeady, Duff, Hunt and many players for this situation.

"But we are following him because he is young and his mentality is very strong, so I have not decided at this moment if he can participate in the Euros or not."

[Charlie Darwin]

Mentalitee is very strong. He's the anti-McCarthy then.

[Murfinator]

Wouldn't surprise me if Trap took McClean on direction from the FAI as a token 23rd member to appease the fans and media, it would be bad for the squad if there was negative selection whisperings going around before the tournament, the team needs positivity and full support. If trap leaves out all of McClean, McCarthy, Coleman and Duffy it'd be seen as conservative and a distraction.

FAI got involved with something similiar involving McCarthy getting capped at the end of a competitive game to hush the media on his eligibility and commitment to us. It was blatantly obvious it wasn't a selection decision Trap wanted to make.

[geysir]

It was obvious that McCarthy's competitive cap was premature. Trap could well have considered the merits of giving a competitive cap that would end the intense pressure on the youngster McCarthy. Trap has for most part of his coaching life, managed to make up his own mind on matters and stick to the plan, despite media pressure.
If Trap selects McClean, it will be to McClean's credit, not the FAI.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Not if you believe the McCarthy-ites on here. They think he's the best thing. I like him, but can see McClean actually making an impact in international football unlike his namesake.

Who won't really get much chance till Trap leaves.

[geysir]

According to Trap, he keeps McCarthy close enough within earshot on the sidelines to receive some jewels of his tactical instructions. I doubt if Trap would be wasting his wisdom on a player he doesn't have faith in. He is in at the tail end of the squad.

[Stuttgart88]

McClean....won't really get much chance till Trap leaves.Don't agree. He may or may not figure in the Euros, but Trap - contrary to myth - does actually take some chances with players and promotes players he's impressed with. With Duff ageing and Hunt struggling for form McClean is very likely to be in Trap's squads for the WC qualifying campaign.

Just as an aside, McClean's lunge on the derby match last weekend could have earned a straight red at a Euro finals. Playing any of our 3 Euro oponents at a neutral venue with a continental ref is a very different context to a wet day on Tyneside in a frenetic north east derby match. Sure, we love to see youthful enthusiasm, but it just highlights the risk in picking players with little experience of playing in international competitions, club or country. Just saying...

[geysir]

I understood AB was referring to McCarthy as the player who "won't really get much chance till Trap leaves".

[Stuttgart88]

ah ok.

Point still stands about McClean's experience btw. I'd pick McClean for the Euros, but I'd also make sure he understands he's got to stay on his feet.

[geysir]

One thing i've noticed about him in the last few weeks, is that he doesn't fade out of a game, even if he hasn't got the quality on the wing or the experience, nevertheless he effectively keeps plugging away right to the end.

[tetsujin1979]

McClean signs new deal at Sunderland: http://www.safc.com/news/20120323/winger-mcclean-signs-new-deal_2256213_2689605

[dantheman]

Set up the first goal today

[tetsujin1979]

scored the second, massive deflection according to Paul Merson on Sky Sports though

[dantheman]

Having a stormer according to the Sunderland fans forum. He had a few average displays, good to see him back to form

[Olé Olé]

Having a stormer according to the Sunderland fans forum. He had a few average displays, good to see him back to form

Great reaction to being rewarded with an extended and more expensive contract too.

[sadloserkid]

Shearer raving about him on MOTD as I type, they're presuming he'll be at the Euros. :) A goal and two assists today. Was terrific.

[tricky_colour]

scored the second, massive deflection according to Paul Merson on Sky Sports though

I would not say it was a massive deflection, seemed his shot was on target and it went of a player trying to block it IIRC.
Was gonna look at it again as I had recorded it, or at least I thought I had, the recorder had other ideas!!!
It's here in poor quality
http://watchhighlightsonline.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/video-sunderland-3-1-qpr-highlights-and.html
'massive deflection' makes it sound like he got lucky, that's unfair, it was more of a desperate lunge to stop him scoring which failed.

better quality
http://www.footygoalsoccer.com/epl-sunderland%20vs%20qpr%2024-03-12.html

Was a goal and 1 assist but he played a crucial part in the last goal.

[Carrigaline]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2120194/Martin-ONeill-backs-James-McCleans-inclusion.html

MON in the Daily Wail calling for McClean to be included. Trap will probably take 4 wingers, McGeady and Duff are certainties, even though Hunt has been injured, I can't see Trap not taking him. That means there is potentially a spot up for grabs. Given that Coleman has struggled this season with injuries and form, you would think that McClean has a chance of ousting him, especially given he's only a year younger.

[nigel-harps1954]

Didn't have the most fantastic of games tonight against Everton from what I saw, granted I only saw the last half an hour. A lot of scrappy passes and poor crosses in that time anyway.

[tricky_colour]

Sunderland were poor overall struggled to get anywhere, Everton didn't give them any space to play in.
I'd say he was one of the better Sunderland players, but that is not saying much, he won some free kicks and corners.
The own goal blunder sums up Sunderland.

[Charlie Darwin]

He put in a couple of great crosses in early on but Neville had him sussed after that. He put in a lot of weak crosses towards the end.