James McClean M Wrexham b.1989

**Charlie Darwin** · 08/08/2013, 10:23 AM

Move confirmed: http://www.theguardian.com/football/...fer?CMP=twt_gu

**OwlsFan** · 08/08/2013, 12:46 PM

Shooting star or like Haley's Comet which will be back again ? I fear the former but hope for the latter (although not every 75 years). We have seen it all before. Huge media hype supported by many fans after a successful first season and then the downward spiral and a drop to the Championship is a large retrograde step. No Premiership side was interested in signing him. Perhaps Wigan will be back with a reinvigorated McLean but I'll stick my neck out here and with regret say I doubt it.

I wonder should be convert to a full back ? Might be better potential for him there or am I overreacting?

**SwanVsDalton** · 08/08/2013, 3:00 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Shooting star or like Haley's Comet which will be back again ? I fear the former but hope for the latter (although not every 75 years). We have seen it all before. Huge media hype supported by many fans after a successful first season and then the downward spiral and a drop to the Championship is a large retrograde step. No Premiership side was interested in signing him. Perhaps Wigan will be back with a reinvigorated McLean but I'll stick my neck out here and with regret say I doubt it.

I wonder should be convert to a full back ? Might be better potential for him there or am I overreacting?

There was some strong PL interest - more than strong - but it dried up for specific reasons.

He has plenty of convincing to do but a good Championship club could be the place to do it. McClean's emergence was a surprise to even the most ardent, hopeful Derry fans - he has a decent set of attributes, but the speed of his ascent was stratospheric. To get his feet on the ground and get back to developing - which he no doubt needs to do - is the best thing all round.

A confident McClean, taking on right backs even from the Championship, can be a great weapon for us.

**Roberto** · 08/08/2013, 3:58 PM

Just as well Wigan ditched that horrible orange away kit from a few years back as I just cant picture McClean in one

**Charlie Darwin** · 08/08/2013, 4:02 PM

Uh oh.

**Sullivinho** · 08/08/2013, 4:18 PM

Incidentally, not the bib his father wore but one provided on the day by the FAI.

**DannyInvincible** · 08/08/2013, 4:44 PM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

There was some strong PL interest - more than strong - but it dried up for specific reasons.

Any further info on why exactly, SvD?

**SwanVsDalton** · 09/08/2013, 9:49 AM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Any further info on why exactly, SvD?

PMd you there Danny.

According to Owen Coyle, James took a pay cut to go to Wigan and play first team football. Fair play.

Originally Posted by Owen Coyle

"We have all done silly things as young men. The bottom line is, having had a chat with him, as we always do, I know he is focussed and just wants to concentrate on his football.

"If we get James McClean doing that, there is no doubt he is a huge talent. He took the Premier League by storm with his wing play; not only his quality on the ball but how hard he works off the ball for his team. He is a Republic of Ireland international. He has won 14 caps at a young age. There is no doubt he can go from strength to strength.

"He took a drop in salary to come, such was his desire to play football. That was fantastic to see in a young man. All too often in football, finance is the motivation for some players. To see a player prepared to come and take a step back because he believes it will eventually lead to two forward, it is great to have at your football club."

**ArdeeBhoy** · 09/08/2013, 9:55 PM

Can you not tell us all about 'the reasons';I can guess?

**SwanVsDalton** · 10/08/2013, 4:38 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Can you not tell us all about 'the reasons';I can guess?

It's nothing earth shattering and nothing to do with James (have realised it might read like something dramatic happened, particularly given McClean's track record). It's also not confirmed or official, just chat. But there was one PL club showed a more-than-strong interest in signing him.

**dong** · 10/08/2013, 5:11 PM

Have Derry any plans to use the money to make some ground improvements at the Brandywell?

**geysir** · 10/08/2013, 6:41 PM

A few kilos of semtex would enact an instant improvement.

**Predator** · 10/08/2013, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

A few kilos of semtex would enact an instant improvement.

Ah geysir, ever the japester!

**DannyInvincible** · 11/08/2013, 12:57 PM

Starts for Wigan in the Community Shield today.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 11/08/2013, 1:12 PM

A few wayward crosses already.

**Colbert Report** · 11/08/2013, 3:51 PM

The commentary team mentioned that there were rumours that McClean was brought in in an attempt to persuade James McCarthy to stay - apparently they are roommates whilst on international duty.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 11/08/2013, 9:24 PM

Did not have a good game, but he's only been part of their set-up for a few days I suppose.

**SwanVsDalton** · 12/08/2013, 10:08 AM

Didn't think he had a bad game to be fair. Was certainly one of the few Wigan players looking to take the game to Utd. There was some pleased fan comments on his performance noted in the BBC live coverage too.

**Predator** · 12/08/2013, 10:47 AM

McClean is still fearless and he gets breaks because he is willing to take a chance (like when he got in behind Smalling) but there are still elements of his game that need to improve. He definitely needs to show more composure. Too often, he snatches at shots or puts in a premature cross. And he also needs to mix his game up a bit. He is still all left foot and at the highest level, if he can't mix it up a bit, the best defenders will always have the measure of him.

**Sullivinho** · 12/08/2013, 1:08 PM

Originally Posted by Predator

McClean is still fearless and he gets breaks because he is willing to take a chance (like when he got in behind Smalling) but there are still elements of his game that need to improve. He definitely needs to show more composure. Too often, he snatches at shots or puts in a premature cross. And he also needs to mix his game up a bit. He is still all left foot and at the highest level, if he can't mix it up a bit, the best defenders will always have the measure of him.

Top priority. He needs a stent in his game that allows for that all-action, furious approach yet provides him a cooler head near/in front of goal. Easier said than done. I've been expecting McGeady's shooting accuracy to improve for years.