mc clean has shown decent form over a massive two games.Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
pilkington has shown patch form at best and is not even confirmed declared for us
I think Duff's value to the team has changed. No longer can he skin people like he used to, but he is a superb out ball who rarely loses the ball easily and buys us time on the ball when we're struggling. He can draw free kicks like no one else can.
He also has the capacity to deliver a great final ball - wasn't it his floated ball that teed up Robbie's late missed header against Slovakia?
According to Wiki, Trapattoni & Tardelli are keeping an eye on Pilkington.
Euro 2012 will be Duff's last big hurrah and if there are obviously better candidates like JMcC & AP, then they should go instead...
Though I agree it's currently a big 'If'.
imo this is due to Duff being played out of position on the right by Trap. tends to cut in to get onto his stronger foot than go outside his opponent like he used to.
his tracking back is great also
How many times have we watched Duff over the last few years acting as a back up at RB.
One of my very favourite performances from him was the game v Cyprus in Croker. He spent the game marshalling McShane making sure that he didn't do anything stupid and if he did Damo was there to mop up.
The idea of not bringing a fit Duff on the basis of McClean's recent good run or in the event of Pilko's declaration is almost insane.
DID YOU NOTICE A SIGN OUTSIDE MY HOUSE...?
Duff is a key player for us so probably best not to risk injury. It's only the Euros after all. Maybe Given, Dunne and Keane should stay at home as well. Don't want those boys injured with the WC qualifiers coming up.
I think the point is that it doesn't seem to be obvious to anyone except you.
I saw someone on a Sunderland board receiving multiple agreement that James' value has rocketed to an estimated 18million already and someone else seriously raise the possibility of a raid from Man Utd among others.
The kneejerk reaction here is kitten tame in comparison.
Except I used the word 'if'. Or is that too hard to comprehend?
I maintain also that Duff is not the attacking force of winger he once was, wing-back maybe, and IF there are better wingers like JMcC & AP, they should be CONSIDERED.
Though not necessarily selected, as too many people on here would be upset.
If Duff is still breathing, he will be there at the Finals.
Hunt is having a difficult time this season, though.
Agreed. Firstly, it's just ridiculous that folks are talking about dropping the best winger that this country has ever produced in favour of a kid who has only ever started two Premier League games in his career. Secondly, I think the intricacies of international football management are just lost on some people. If we were to just play the players in form, then we would probably have a different starting 11 each time we played. We tried that chopping and changing of tactics and players under Staunton and it was a disaster, there was no discipline, structure or continuity in the team. Even when you treat world class players like that, you will get the same outcome as Maradonna showed at Argentina.
McClean looks like a very good prospect, but let's not put the cart before horse on this. Let's see him consistently produce decent form and he will get his chance.
Andy Reid is one of the most hungry players I have ever seen involved with us.
(someone had to say it)
Yes but they are saving themselves for 'the big one'.
However if he continues to play well get goals and top ratings such figures are not unrealistic nor is the Man U raid
especially with the recent friction with Rooney etc....
Are we to believe all Sunderland are mugs? If he was shyte they would be the first to say so.
Anyway, he has gone up to £24 million now. I think the £1 billion valuation was probably a joke.
Just saw him compared to a young Rooney on a Sunderland forum.
But he has only played a handful of games so it all wild speculation.
Last edited by tricky_colour; 09/01/2012 at 7:40 PM.
Just out of interest, what was the general opinion of McClean on the LOI forum last season? Is his recent success something of a surprise or was he the new messiah all along but barstoolers would never know yada yada yada?
honestly Stutts, he was one of the few players last season who every league fan agreed should be playing at a far higher level than LOI. He was the stand out performer in a very good Derry team. I only saw highlights of his performances/goals on MNS so will leave it to the Derry fans for more detailed critiques. I am surprised with how quickly he has adapted and also, more importantly, how quickly he has filled out.
Suffice to say, he was the new messiah for a lot of league fans.
Can't believe this debate. Duffer will go and be one of our stand out perfprmers in what will be probably his swan song tournament.
http://backpagefootball.com/premier-...james-mcclean/
article about mccleans emergence, contains audio interview with trap about him
It looks like it's a LOI landslide over the barstoolers ignorance on McClean.
Bruce did well to get to the head of the long queue and sign him for Sunderland.
MON will take all the glory though.
Apparently Trap will give McClean his chance in the friendly against the Czech Republic.
http://www.irishcentral.com/sport/Tr...136902538.html
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