James McClean M Wrexham b.1989

**Fixer82** · 19/10/2012, 12:05 PM

I won't be following his tweets. I'm not into car-crashes.
I actually think he's addicted to Twitter

**Scooby Doo** · 19/10/2012, 12:13 PM

"From Free Derry". Unnecessary, particularly given his past online 'difficulties'.

**DannyInvincible** · 19/10/2012, 2:23 PM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

"From Free Derry". Unnecessary, particularly given his past online 'difficulties'.

Is it that big a deal? McClean is entitled to his politics; they're nothing abnormal. If "From Free Derry" provokes offence in someone, I fear they'd be going in desperate search of it, and it'd be, most likely, feigned.

**Charlie Darwin** · 19/10/2012, 2:39 PM

Given the context, it's pretty stupid. He left twitter because he was drawing too much attention from bigots; now he's baiting them again.

**CraftyToePoke** · 19/10/2012, 5:06 PM

Free Derry indeed .... brilliant, funny. Or not so much if you are hoping this lad is a key part of a brighter future, showing a bit of maturity and savvy. Still, cant wait to see what he comes out with. Can imagine Martin O'Neil shaking his head wistfully as this, and thinking of suitable lower league loan destinations if he gets too much bother from Young Master McClean, of Free Derry Heights.

**geysir** · 19/10/2012, 5:36 PM

If it happens on Twitter, then is it real?

**DannyInvincible** · 21/10/2012, 12:26 PM

McClean and O'Shea start for Sunderland this afternoon in the Tyne-Wear derby. Westwood and Meyler are on the bench.

**DannyInvincible** · 21/10/2012, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Given the context, it's pretty stupid. He left twitter because he was drawing too much attention from bigots; now he's baiting them again.

At worst, I'd say it's silly as far as it might be a potential cause of needless distraction, but that's the business of McClean and his employers/manager(s). He doesn't deserve to be attacked by bigots for saying he's "From Free Derry".

**Not Brazil** · 21/10/2012, 4:02 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Is it that big a deal? McClean is entitled to his politics; they're nothing abnormal. If "From Free Derry" provokes offence in someone, I fear they'd be going in desperate search of it, and it'd be, most likely, feigned.

This is the same McClean who feigned offence when he was called "Northern Irish"?

You're right though, if he wants to state he's "From Free Derry", that's up to him.

**theworm2345** · 21/10/2012, 5:39 PM

Originally Posted by Fixer82

I won't be following his tweets. I'm not into car-crashes.
I actually think he's addicted to Twitter

I wouldn't be surprised...as I've said before, Twitter is the worst thing to happen to individuals (especially famous ones) in a long time.

**tetsujin1979** · 21/10/2012, 6:43 PM

I think Pheed could be worse if it takes off

**Humpy Gussy** · 21/10/2012, 11:38 PM

No problem with McClean's politics. Well entitled to express his political persuasion. However, it does seem that he is trying for, or at least tempting a reaction. It is unnecessary and reaffirms his immaturity and lack of nouse. Nothing wrong with it, strictly speaking, but in his particular case, unnecessary.

**OwlsFan** · 22/10/2012, 3:12 PM

Didn't see the game but I notice he got a 4 rating in the Daily Telegraph (his play, not his tweets).

**Stuttgart88** · 22/10/2012, 3:33 PM

I saw about 30-40 mins. 4 is a bit harsh but he is very direct and very predictable. He lacked a trick, it's all about knocking the ball past the oppenent and catching up with it quicker than the opponent. He almost always goes outside his man. Still, Tony Galvin did this to great effect and Kevin Kilbane was all about this too. Sometimes he'd cut back in and would feed a central midfielder. Just when everyone was convinced he only had a left foot he had a decent right footed volley from 25 yards.

I think he's limited in what he can provide but I also think he'd be well suited to a wide left role for Ireland where work rate and tempo have been lacking a lot lately.

On Saturday I thought Pilkington had a bit more finesse about him, although similar in style.

**Manblue** · 22/10/2012, 4:24 PM

Watched the game and thought he was very poor. Probably would of given him a 5, mainly for two reasons, a good cross the keeper spilled, although no one was there to tap it in, secondly, a decent effort in the last minute that could of nicked the win.

Outside of this he was quite poor. Gave away a lot of free kicks, very sloppy in possession and general play lacked creativity. Rose behind him made a mistake for the goal but was quite strong in the second half. Twice I saw McClean drag a player into the space Rose was running into. It was so silly. He could of stood his ground and the player would of had to stick with him but he took him and Rose out of the game.

Sunderland really lack able replacements on the bench so I would say his position is safe for a while regardless of performance.

**Charlie Darwin** · 22/10/2012, 8:54 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I saw about 30-40 mins. 4 is a bit harsh but he is very direct and very predictable. He lacked a trick, it's all about knocking the ball past the oppenent and catching up with it quicker than the opponent. He almost always goes outside his man.

Martin O'Neill highlighted this over the summer actually and seemed to intimate he'd like to try McClean on the right. I guess the arrival of Johnson kind of scuppered that.

**BonnieShels** · 22/10/2012, 9:47 PM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

"From Free Derry". Unnecessary, particularly given his past online 'difficulties'.

I read that as Free From Derry...

**Murfinator** · 23/10/2012, 4:09 PM

Originally Posted by Manblue

Watched the game and thought he was very poor. Probably would of given him a 5, mainly for two reasons, a good cross the keeper spilled, although no one was there to tap it in, secondly, a decent effort in the last minute that could of nicked the win.

Outside of this he was quite poor. Gave away a lot of free kicks, very sloppy in possession and general play lacked creativity. Rose behind him made a mistake for the goal but was quite strong in the second half. Twice I saw McClean drag a player into the space Rose was running into. It was so silly. He could of stood his ground and the player would of had to stick with him but he took him and Rose out of the game.

Sunderland really lack able replacements on the bench so I would say his position is safe for a while regardless of performance.

McClean is finished IMO, very limited player who everybody has figured out by this stage. He's struggling badly and showing an inability to adapt his game.