James McClean M Wrexham b.1989

[Charlie Darwin]

How many more dimensions does a harrying winger that likes to put himself about need?
His subtlety will come, he's only 22, he's only played 9 games or something for Sunderland. He's taken like a duck to water and long may it continue.

Do love that the start of the begrudgery is raising it's head above the parapet.
I hope Trap is reading this - that's an automatic call-up. Interestingly, Paul Green had a decent game on the right for Derby against Stoke yesterday. Bit unlucky to be on the losing side.

Saying McClean is one-dimensional is very unfair. He doesn't have the technical skill of Duff or McGeady but very few wingers do, in any country. In Spain, McGeady would probably be a striker. McClean is a bit like a less refined Gareth Bale or a quicker Milner and, from what I've seen, he's become a more intelligent footballer since moving to England. I think he might be able to add a bit of pace too and his technique should improve as well.

[amaccann]

How many more dimensions does a harrying winger that likes to put himself about need?
His subtlety will come, he's only 22, he's only played 9 games or something for Sunderland. He's taken like a duck to water and long may it continue.

Do love that the start of the begrudgery is raising it's head above the parapet.

Begrudgery? Uhhh, no begrudgery here mate; to me Kevin Kilbane is a minor legend & would take 11 of him in a shot. I only use the term '1 dimensional' in the sense that he doesn't seem to be as unpredictable a wide player as some of his other compatriots - a bit like Mr. Kilbane. That's all.

[BonnieShels]

Begrudgery? Uhhh, no begrudgery here mate; to me Kevin Kilbane is a minor legend & would take 11 of him in a shot. I only use the term '1 dimensional' in the sense that he doesn't seem to be as unpredictable a wide player as some of his other compatriots - a bit like Mr. Kilbane. That's all.

I didn't take you up as a begrudger. I mean in general you can read elsewhere there's more critical comment cheading for James now.
Kilbane is a major legend. I would never feel a comparison to him is of a critical nature.

[SwanVsDalton]

He's so one-dimensional - he can cross, shoot, pass, head, score goals, create, beat a defender inside and out, tackle like a centre back and has the engine of a middle distance runner. Too predictable by half.

[BonnieShels]

You're right. McClean out!

[amaccann]

He's so one-dimensional - he can cross, shoot, pass, head, score goals, create, beat a defender inside and out, tackle like a centre back and has the engine of a middle distance runner. Too predictable by half.

Bloody nora - next time I post, I'm using a Thesaurus.

[ArdeeBhoy]

McClean is Ireland's best player on current form...

It would be madness not to take him. So he probably won't go.

[tricky_colour]

Just going back to all the dental jokes, in a collision with William in which McClean head butted him Williams lot a tooth!!
So McCleans is not so good for your teeth afterall, intact he is a health hazard.

[tricky_colour]

McClean is Ireland's best player on current form...

It would be madness not to take him. So he probably won't go.

It would be a bit like going on holiday without your sunglasses
(although obviously you could buy a pair whilst you were over there).

[elroy]

In the Times today that Martin O'N was onto to James again recently about declaring for NI (following another request from Michael O'Neill). Glad to say the lad once again reiterated his decision to them. Hope they leave him alone now and we dont have another Martinez/McCarthy episode all over again.

Also mentioned that McCleans paperwork unlikely to be through with UEFA to make him eligible for the Euros squad - seems a long time to get it sorted.

[BonnieShels]

In the Times today that Martin O'N was onto to James again recently about declaring for NI (following another request from Michael O'Neill). Glad to say the lad once again reiterated his decision to them. Hope they leave him alone now and we dont have another Martinez/McCarthy episode all over again.

Also mentioned that McCleans paperwork unlikely to be through with UEFA to make him eligible for the Euros squad - seems a long time to get it sorted.

That's all over in the eligibility thread. Good to see even the Sunday times is using this site as source!

[Sullivinho]

In the Times today that Martin O'N was onto to James again recently about declaring for NI (following another request from Michael O'Neill). Glad to say the lad once again reiterated his decision to them. Hope they leave him alone now and we dont have another Martinez/McCarthy episode all over again.

That'l be only twice this month McClean has politely declined them so. Has Gerry had his turn yet? There's the makings of a romantic comedy there, something along the lines of 'He's just not that into you'.

[Predator]

Martin O'Neill wasn't putting pressure on McClean either way, I'd wager. He openly states that it is not his place to persuade one way or the other. Martin O'Neill understands and respects the principle of choice. He does not buy scaremongering and spin. He is, after all, a Kilrea man.

[TrapAPony]

In the Times today that Martin O'N was onto to James again recently about declaring for NI (following another request from Michael O'Neill).

Was there realistically ever any chance that he was going to put pressure on James to play for the north?...Doubt it very much

[ArdeeBhoy]

And why his clearance taking so long, as The ST claims...

Though it is a Murdoch rag.

[dantheman]

And why his clearance taking so long, as The ST claims...

Though it is a Murdoch rag.

Indeed. They must be hacking into his voicemail!

[dantheman]

Was there realistically ever any chance that he was going to put pressure on James to play for the north?...Doubt it very much

So do I, but Marty handled it well. He's a smart lad

[DannyInvincible]

According to a poster on OWC, today's Sun was reporting that McClean's relevant paperwork has been received by FIFA and he should indeed be eligible for the game against the Czech Republic.

[Jaysus]

Is Stephen Hunt's seat on the plane written in stone? I've seen more quality from McClean in a couple of months than he has shown for a long time.

[strangeirish]

Just going back to all the dental jokes, in a collision with William in which McClean head butted him Williams lot a tooth!!

Probably speaks that way now.

[tetsujin1979]

can't help but think that Trapattoni bringing McClean to Euro 2012 would be treated the same as Eriksson bringing Walcott to Germany 2006

[the bear]

what do you mean when you say treated? i think walcott was only 17 and hadn't broken into the arsenal team at that stage, so if mcclean has been starring in the premiership for the majority of a season by the summer it would be a different kettle of fish including him. if he keeps playing the way he starts he should defo go

[Charlie Darwin]

Didn't Ericsson bring Walcott because Arsene Wenger asked him really nicely? Something mad like that. That was a very odd decision. Absolutely no comparison with McClean.

[tetsujin1979]

Didn't Ericsson bring Walcott because Arsene Wenger asked him really nicely? Something mad like that. That was a very odd decision. Absolutely no comparison with McClean.
Established squad player left out in favour of emerging talented youngster with no international experience, months before a major international tournament.

[geysir]

Didn't Walcott have zero first team experience with Arsenal?

[theworm2345]

Just helped make Sunderland's goal with very good persistence down the left...in reality the goal was down to an amazing strike by Campbell in the end though.

[IsMiseSean]

Just after setting up Campbell's stunner

[Charlie Darwin]

Similar to the one he set up at Swansea, was forced into the pass because he miscontrolled and it ended up in a goal. Interesting he's taking corners too, although his delivery has been poor so far.

[Carrigaline]

Similar to the one he set up at Swansea, was forced into the pass because he miscontrolled and it ended up in a goal. Interesting he's taking corners too, although his delivery has been poor so far.
Noticed that in his last match. His pace and directness terrify defenders, a bit like McGeady. The problem is that his crossing is poor enough, a bit like McGeady :(

[BonnieShels]

Some of his movement has been very good.

[Charlie Darwin]

Was he involved in the third too? It happened down the right but I'm fairly sure it was him who laid it off to Larsson.

[theworm2345]

Was he involved in the third too? It happened down the right but I'm fairly sure it was him who laid it off to Larsson.
Yeah he was involved, I think his flick found one Sunderland player who then found whoever crossed it in for the goal. No sound on and I'm not sure the middle man was in there.

[Olé Olé]

Great to see Campbell and McClean linking up well again. This bodes well for the future of Irish football!

[tricky_colour]

Why is Campbell eligible for Ireland too?

[BonnieShels]

Why is Campbell eligible for Ireland too?

Why did ya do that. I resisted the obvious bite. For shame TC.

[theworm2345]

Why is Campbell eligible for Ireland too?
Yes he is, it came out that he was eligible around the same time as he was racially abused by an Irish person on Twitter.

[BonnieShels]

Really? I humbly retract my previous post.

[Sullivinho]

Yes he is, it came out that he was eligible around the same time as he was racially abused by an Irish person on Twitter.

It used to be downing a pint of Guinness that'd meet the eligibility standard, now being verbally abused by a Paddy does the trick. And it can all be done online. These rules are out of control.

[DannyInvincible]

http://joe.ie/football/international-football/fraizer-campbells-ireland-possibilities-0017736-1


The plot, it gets thicker. It turns out that Fraizer Campbell, the Sunderland striker who was racially abused on Twitter by an Irish football supporter, could actually be eligible to join Trap’s Army for Euro 2012.

Campbell was the recipient of an offensive message by an Irish Twitter user who went by the name TheReid1, an account that has been deleted over the past 24 hours or so.

That tweet is being investigated by UK police – and it turns out that all Irish football supporters could be seeing a lot more of Campbell in the future.

David Meyler, the Cork man who’s making an impression at Sunderland following his return from a cruciate ligament tear, told his Twitter followers at the weekend that Campbell is eligible for Ireland.

[Charlie Darwin]

Good to see the green army giving the hard sell to Fraizer.

[TrapAPony]

Campbell is not eligible. He was asked before and he said : ''no not grandparents is further back than that''

[BonnieShels]

Campbell is not eligible. He was asked before and he said : ''no not grandparents is further back than that''
I now retract my second statement and un-retract my first one.

[ArdeeBhoy]

According to a poster on OWC, today's Sun was reporting that McClean's relevant paperwork has been received by FIFA and he should indeed be eligible for the game against the Czech Republic.


Well, you'd like to think so. Though I do have some qualms about your source(s)!
:rolleyes:

[theworm2345]

I now retract my second statement and un-retract my first one.
Looked in to it some more and found this.
http://twitter.com/#!/FraizerCampbell/status/135080422202814464

[Charlie Darwin]

I think that was him trying to wind up Meyler.

[TrapAPony]

Ya, it was definitely a joke...

[The Fly]

I think that was him trying to wind up Meyler.

...and O'Shea.

[Carrigaline]

Scores again.

[SkStu]

get in there Jimmy boy!

[theworm2345]

Scores again.
Yep, poor defending, McClean bursts in to the box, cuts inside a defender, and slips it under Mignolet for the goal.