Harrison McGahey

[Newbury Blade]

I agree that we need to sign two centre-backs but I don't think we should write off McGahey. Remember all the hoo-ha when we signed him and how upset some Blackpool fans were. After the fiasco of pre-season he was parachuted in to what always had the look of a makeshift back four, then sent out on loan, but I thought he showed a lot of promise and could still come good under Adkins. At the very least, Kennedy (if fit) and McGahey would offer strong back-up for any new signings and could and should be pressing them for a place – NA says at Southampton he wanted two good players for every position so those would be our four CBs.

 

[Rossb123]

I agree that we need to sign two centre-backs but I don't think we should write off McGahey. Remember all the hoo-ha when we signed him and how upset some Blackpool fans were. After the fiasco of pre-season he was parachuted in to what always had the look of a makeshift back four, then sent out on loan, but I thought he showed a lot of promise and could still come good under Adkins. At the very least, Kennedy (if fit) and McGahey would offer strong back-up for any new signings and could and should be pressing them for a place – NA says at Southampton he wanted two good players for every position so those would be our four CBs.

In every young players career when they first come on to the scene they will have a period of bad form. He is clearly a good player, a lot now rests on his attitude to come back and show us fans why he was initially rated so highly.

 

[Barney]

He didn't live up to any expectation when he came here and rightly shipped out on loan. Hopefully he can become a good player for us in the future though.

 

[BushBlade]

One of the biggest disappointments of last season IMO. He was so highly rated by a lot of coaches when he came to us.
Hopefully he'll be one of the beneficiaries of the new regime and a 'clean slate'. If he fulfills his potential he'd be a real asset for us.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

He's the reason I'd really only like us to sign one major centre half, to play alongside him.

 

[cal the blade]

he looked bloody awful last season looked more of a 'mule' than a footballer to me. BUT he is only young and obviously i hope he comes good i would give him a little gametime to see how he is progressing.
but honestly i expect he will be gone by this time next year

 

[Worksop II]

The contract he was offered by Blackpool was minimum wage, he came to us for more than that .............

I dont think he was a disaster and

Hopefully with a year under belt elsewhere he will have progressed

 

[TonyAgana]

The contract he was offered by Blackpool was minimum wage, he came to us for more than that .............

...considerably more than min wage!

 

[Dec]

He's the reason I'd really only like us to sign one major centre half, to play alongside him.

I don't monitor the forum enough to pick up on who the sarcastic posters are but this one has to be a joke, right? Tranmere probably wouldn't take him if we offered him to them for free, judging by their fans' comments on his performances.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

I wish him well, but I think he probably needs to kick on very quickly if he's going to compete genuinely for a place next year. Both the saddest and funniest thing I saw all last season, was poor Harrison played at full-back at Port Vale. It was utterly excruciating, and rather set the tone for the day.

 

[BushBlade]

I don't monitor the forum enough to pick up on who the sarcastic posters are but this one has to be a joke, right? Tranmere probably wouldn't take him if we offered him to them for free, judging by their fans' comments on his performances.

We've all seen how defenders perform under Micky Adams. I wouldn't read too much into his performances there.

 

[kop_blade9]

If Collins has not been released I think he could partner Mcgahey and bring him on like he did with Maguire.
Experience and youth seemed a good mixture at the time.

 

[Balham]

I wish him well, but I think he probably needs to kick on very quickly if he's going to compete genuinely for a place next year. Both the saddest and funniest thing I saw all last season, was poor Harrison played at full-back at Port Vale. It was utterly excruciating, and rather set the tone for the day.

And therein lies yet another example of Nigel Clough's abysmal man-management. McGahey lacks experience, when he played his defensive partner changed pretty much game by game then he was asked to play out of position. Centre half and full back are completely different and it's no surprise that he performed so badly at right back. It wouldn't surprise me if that knocked any confidence he may have had out of him completely.

I know that someone will probably come along and say "it's a man's game" and that he should "toughen up" but that's not how the world works. With the right guidance, he could be a very good centre half; let's hope Adkins figures out what makes him tick.

 

[BushBlade]

And therein lies yet another example of Nigel Clough's abysmal man-management. McGahey lacks experience, when he played his defensive partner changed pretty much game by game then he was asked to play out of position. Centre half and full back are completely different and it's no surprise that he performed so badly at right back. It wouldn't surprise me if that knocked any confidence he may have had out of him completely.

I know that someone will probably come along and say "it's a man's game" and that he should "toughen up" but that's not how the world works. With the right guidance, he could be a very good centre half; let's hope Adkins figures out what makes him tick.

I wouldn't have objected to Clough staying but I can't argue with that. I felt they were his biggest faults. In terms of man management I don't think it matters that much that he might shout at players, in fact, I've heard some players say they like it, it fires them up and they want to see a manager show passion.
I do object to him asking players to do jobs they're going to struggle with. I consider that to be both tactically inept and poor man management.
I also had issues with him chopping and changing the side constantly.

I'm still stunned really about last season. The pre season preparation seemed shambolic and it went downhill from there.
Clough seemed determined to make the job harder than it should have been.

On the plus side, he still got us to fifth so the players, despite looking crap at times, must be pretty good. I think this season, if we can sort out the defence and keep a pretty regular first eleven, the improvement in the players will be as significant as the improvement in Weir's team when Clough took over.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I don't monitor the forum enough to pick up on who the sarcastic posters are but this one has to be a joke, right? Tranmere probably wouldn't take him if we offered him to them for free, judging by their fans' comments on his performances.

No sarcasm, and I think your judge of talent is going be proven wanting, no sarcasm.

 

[Bladesman]

Can't we just ask Nesta to come out of retirement?

 

[Dec]

No sarcasm, and I think your judge of talent is going be proven wanting, no sarcasm.

I'm not saying he won't become a good defender - I hope he does, of course, but I just struggle to see what he's done to warrant a starting role at the beginning of our promotion push.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I think he's got talent, he needs an experienced partner because he isn't a natural leader as yet, but I think on pure ability he's better than who he replaced.

 

[Lane Ender]

If Collins has not been released I think he could partner Mcgahey and bring him on like he did with Maguire.
Experience and youth seemed a good mixture at the time.

Do you want to go up?
Get shut of the pair of em

 

[LoughboroBlade]

I think he's got talent, he needs an experienced partner because he isn't a natural leader as yet, but I think on pure ability he's better than who he replaced.

I think there are elements of a decent centre-back in him too. Maguire benefited a lot that first full season from forging an understanding with Collins, who bailed him out on a number of occasions. Our defence last season wasn't exactly the most ideal environment - and Collins for whatever reason wasn't the same reassuring self he was in previous seasons.

 

[Deadbat]

It does worry me some fans opinions at times. We ship goals left, right and centre and generally look awful all season yet some are advocating return of McEvely, return of Collins and now McGahey to be starting? Really

I work with a few Tranmere fans via another company and they said to me he was a train wreck when he went there. He played 4 games and they sent him back. They said they did not think there could be any worse defenders than they already had but McGahey was one. For someone with some kind of promise you would expect he would stand out at the 92nd rank club in the league.

So if we are to loan him out how much lower can we go?

I don't mean to knock the lad and he may turn things round but I saw very little to suggest he will go on and make a player - he was big but was clumsy, poor on the ball and positionallly not great. He was one of those when the ball went near him I worried. I can cope with that if he could head/clear it but he could not even do that.

I do wonder what people base potential on players other than reading he was rated once by X club. If he was rated that highty why did no one want to sign him but us when he left Blackpool?

We need 2 new starting centre backs. Not even a debate for me. Biggest priority in the side.

 

[tyneblade]

I think he's got talent, he needs an experienced partner because he isn't a natural leader as yet, but I think on pure ability he's better than who he replaced.

It not about talent or ability , the game produces hundreds more talented and able youngsters than it needs.

Its about consistency, concentration, the ability to read the game and a brain that converts that reading into solid reliable action. Thats where league points are won and lost, and its why young Harrison has a long way to fall before he finds his level.

We all wish it was different but a club looking to drop less than 40 points next season can't afford one who could cost 15 on his own.

 

[Lane Ender]

It not about talent or ability , the game produces hundreds more talented and able youngsters than it needs.

Its about consistency, concentration, the ability to read the game and a brain that converts that reading into solid reliable action. Thats where league points are won and lost, and its why young Harrison has a long way to fall before he finds his level.

We all wish it was different but a club looking to drop less than 40 points next season can't afford one who could cost 15 on his own.

Where's Pinchy?thought he'd have a field day with this thread

 

[yorkshirecoast]

He was terrible unfortunately. He may still turn out to be decemt but so far looks a million miles away from what is needed.

Signing TWO good central defenders is a must.

 

[Patrick Suffaux]

Young Harrison will become a very accomplished centre half. Mark my words.

 

[awblade]

Tranmere were down at the bottom of the table fighting for their lives. Defense works as a unit, you cant make a good defense with 3 bad players and one good one.

When Mcgahey started the season I didnt think he looked too bad, definitely looked young and raw though. Then he is out of the team for quite a few weeks, gets brought back in for Port Vale away, and as expected plays awful, then off to Tranmere.

I think if we look after him properly he could be a decent centre back

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

It does worry me some fans opinions at times. We ship goals left, right and centre and generally look awful all season yet some are advocating return of McEvely, return of Collins and now McGahey to be starting? Really

I work with a few Tranmere fans via another company and they said to me he was a train wreck when he went there. He played 4 games and they sent him back. They said they did not think there could be any worse defenders than they already had but McGahey was one. For someone with some kind of promise you would expect he would stand out at the 92nd rank club in the league.

So if we are to loan him out how much lower can we go?

I don't mean to knock the lad and he may turn things round but I saw very little to suggest he will go on and make a player - he was big but was clumsy, poor on the ball and positionallly not great. He was one of those when the ball went near him I worried. I can cope with that if he could head/clear it but he could not even do that.

I do wonder what people base potential on players other than reading he was rated once by X club. If he was rated that highty why did no one want to sign him but us when he left Blackpool?

We need 2 new starting centre backs. Not even a debate for me. Biggest priority in the side.

We do need 2no new CB. The biggest item in football that McGahey is lacking - confidence . We have to give the lad a break , but at the same time , if serious of automatic promotion- bring in class and quality , to fill the gaps of our , all too obvious shortcomings , last season.

UTB

 

[Barney]

It does worry me some fans opinions at times. We ship goals left, right and centre and generally look awful all season yet some are advocating return of McEvely, return of Collins and now McGahey to be starting? Really

I work with a few Tranmere fans via another company and they said to me he was a train wreck when he went there. He played 4 games and they sent him back. They said they did not think there could be any worse defenders than they already had but McGahey was one. For someone with some kind of promise you would expect he would stand out at the 92nd rank club in the league.

So if we are to loan him out how much lower can we go?

I don't mean to knock the lad and he may turn things round but I saw very little to suggest he will go on and make a player - he was big but was clumsy, poor on the ball and positionallly not great. He was one of those when the ball went near him I worried. I can cope with that if he could head/clear it but he could not even do that.

I do wonder what people base potential on players other than reading he was rated once by X club. If he was rated that highty why did no one want to sign him but us when he left Blackpool?

We need 2 new starting centre backs. Not even a debate for me. Biggest priority in the side.

Couldn't have said it better myself. Big like to that. McGahey is nowhere near the quality for a league one side never mind a league one promotion winning side. It may be harsh but it's as simple as that. Like you I'm not bothered about what other fans and clubs have said about him, I saw him plenty of times at the lane myself to have formed my own opinion, and he's not good enough for us.

 

[Cyprus Blade]

I work with a few Tranmere fans via another company and they said to me he was a train wreck when he went there.

I do not think he should factor in anyone's mind as first team or even thereabouts. Everything I read about him at Tranmere (the worst club in the football league) was negative. He was a train wreck indeed - his confidence must be shot and he has a long climb to go if he is to amount to anything. I hope the lad is up to it but I have little expectation of him contributing anything significant to getting us out of League 1 this season.