CONFIRMED James McAtee - MGW Replacement?

[robbiez666]

I can remember some folk saying similar when MGW first joined us

Unless you're a Forest fan, you're talking absolute nonsense. He scored 2 goals and had an assist in his first two games.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

I can remember some folk saying similar when MGW first joined us

Never happened..

 

[Stretch]

It's still early days for me. Yes he has been in a the matchday squad several times, but his time on the pitch has still been limited overall.

We are also bound to pick up knocks in the attacking midfield ranks, so those who are keen to ship him back might want to wait to see if the likes of Ndaye and Khadra remain injury free first.

There really is no rush at the moment, so give it a couple more months and then see how he has adapted.

 

[Grecian2000]

Are we seriously writing him off 11 games into the season?
Was a huge shot in the arm when replacing Fleck against Sunderland and looking forward to seeing what he can do when he gets some playing time.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Are we seriously writing him off 11 games into the season?
Was a huge shot in the arm when replacing Fleck against Sunderland and looking forward to seeing what he can do when he gets some playing time.

Agree.
Do we all accept that Gaurdiola knows quite a lot about football.
Well he really rates McAtee as a huge talent, he’s that highly rated by the MC coaches they think he’s good enough to break into their squad at some stage.
He’s not shown much for us so far but he’s only had bits of game time. It’s just a case of staying patient.

Think the factor with Doyle and McAtee is that being at one of the best teams in the world means theres a good chance both will be discarded by City,
Therefore there’s a great chance we might be able to sign either McAtee or Doyle, both young, local and will already know our club and manager.
Even if they’re not good enough for City…they both might end up being at least average Premier League standard, so could end up at SU.

 

[SUFC Guy]

Unless you're a Forest fan, you're talking absolute nonsense. He scored 2 goals and had an assist in his first two games.

Folks were saying he was too inconsistent. A lot of his tricks and flicks weren't always coming off. Folk around us were tutting on many occasions. As the season went on, he was getting more consistent and a times was virtually unplayable. Teams just could not handle him. This is where I'm going with JM. He will need time and our coaching staff will do to him what they did with MGW.

To write him off at this early stage is ludicrous. He will get his chances and will be a far better player, and have a far more positive impact for us.

Forest fan?

 

[bongleblade]

I saw someone make the comparison of Beckham at Preston and Kane at Norwich, potentially a little too early to shine atm but may well become elite. I think that could be a fair comparison.

He's not quite there for the men's game at the top of the Championship imo, but he isn't miles off. I do think he will start to come good very quickly towards the end of the season once fully settled and hopefully after bulking up a bit in the WC break.

The difference of 6 months for a player this age is huge, and can be career-defining in some circumstances, i think give him until the end of the season as he could win us some vital points in the business end

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Agree.
Do we all accept that Gaurdiola knows quite a lot about football.
Well he really rates McAtee as a huge talent, he’s that highly rated by the MC coaches they think he’s good enough to break into their squad at some stage.
He’s not shown much for us so far but he’s only had bits of game time. It’s just a case of staying patient.

Think the factor with Doyle and McAtee is that being at one of the best teams in the world means theres a good chance both will be discarded by City,
Therefore there’s a great chance we might be able to sign either McAtee or Doyle, both young, local and will already know our club and manager.
Even if they’re not good enough for City…they both might end up being at least average Premier League standard, so could end up at SU.

Theres an article about the pair, Norwood speaking about how good McAtee is, and saying Doyle has some advantage by being at a championship club on loan previously, so he's a bit hardened to Champ football, whereas McAtee his still building that up.

 

[robbiez666]

I saw someone make the comparison of Beckham at Preston and Kane at Norwich, potentially a little too early to shine atm but may well become elite. I think that could be a fair comparison.

He's not quite there for the men's game at the top of the Championship imo, but he isn't miles off. I do think he will start to come good very quickly towards the end of the season once fully settled and hopefully after bulking up a bit in the WC break.

The difference of 6 months for a player this age is huge, and can be career-defining in some circumstances, i think give him until the end of the season as he could win us some vital points in the business end

He's not our player though. I don't doubt for one second that in a year or two he'll be Fodening around but what's the benefit to us of having a player of limited influence for 6 months? Paying his wages and taking up a position where we don't really need numbers?

He's like 4th choice AMC. 3rd if Berge is playing in CM. He's probably competing with Arblaster in pecking order in terms of where he is as a CM. Would he even be in the matchday squad if Fleck or Osborn were fit? I would suggest Khadra is significantly ahead of him in the pecking order, at the moment.

I'd swap him for someone who was competitive at CM now. McAtee looks out of his depth (and age) playing there and we have 3 fit CMs.

 

[BushBlade]

1988 Early views from.

“Who’s that fucker we’ve signed from Donny? He’s gash, lanky streak of piss, couldn’t trap a bag of cement, fell over the fucking ball trying to control it”
“Yeah, fucking hopeless, Basset’s got no idea, he’ll get us relegated again. He should fuck off back down south and take that Deane with him”
“He makes Philliskirk look like Rush”
“He’ll be playing in non-league in a couple of years, mark my words”

35 years later, what have we learnt?

 

[Overthehills]

He's been in 10 matchday squads and contributed almost nothing. That's what I'm judging him on. I'm not even particularly blaming him, the signing, so far, seems like a mistake for both parties. Would it not be better using the loan wage for someone who we actively need? Why not bring in a CM instead so Berge doesn't have to play there and can push further forward instead?

Whilst I see where you are coming from in terms of wages for a current non-player, but the lad is on his first loan move and it is inevitable that he needs to find his feet.

Would it shock you to hear that we are probably only paying a maximum 3k p/w for to actually be at the club? Because he isn’t on big bucks at city and is still considered in his apprenticeship phase….

You won’t find many experienced players ‘that we actually need’, who will come to United on a salary of £3.1k p/w…. It is an absolute pittance of a salary these days in the championship!…. The only reason we have been trusted with him by his parent club is that we provide a fantastic development opportunity for the lad.

In my opinion it is completely unnecessary targeting of a player and he doesn’t deserve the negativity at this stage of his career. He’s one of, if not the lowest earner at the club…. He’s currently undertaking his first professional loan away from his parent club… it’s a huge leap and it is inevitable that he will need a bit of nurturing and confidence.

 

[robbiez666]

Whilst I see where you are coming from in terms of wages for a current non-player, but the lad is on his first loan move and it is inevitable that he needs to find his feet.

Would it shock you to hear that we are probably only paying a maximum 3k p/w for to actually be at the club? Because he isn’t on big bucks at city and is still considered in his apprenticeship phase….

You won’t find many experienced players ‘that we actually need’, who will come to United on a salary of £3.1k p/w….

In my opinion it is completely unnecessary targeting of a player and he doesn’t deserve the negativity at this stage of his career. He’s one of, if not the lowest earner at the club…. He’s currently undertaking his first professional loan away from his parent club… it’s a huge leap and it is inevitable that he will need a bit of nurturing and confidence.

I can where you're coming from as well but my focus is on Sheffield United, not the career of a player we've loaned.

I'm targeting a player who has been involved in 8 games and added virtually nothing. I'm unsure of the benefit, so far, on 'helping him find his feet' when we have Arblaster on the bench as well. We're basically developing a Man City player for no benefit to us, thus far.

Also, by posting this he can hopefully make me look foolish tomorrow

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

Also, by posting this he can hopefully make me look foolish tomorrow

You're managing ok today on your own

But exactly, give the lad some time to find his feet and get up to speed. Mid season, let's see where he is once maestro Hecky has worked some magic on him.

 

[robbiez666]

1988 Early views from.

“Who’s that fucker we’ve signed from Donny? He’s gash, lanky streak of piss, couldn’t trap a bag of cement, fell over the fucking ball trying to control it”
“Yeah, fucking hopeless, Basset’s got no idea, he’ll get us relegated again. He should fuck off back down south and take that Deane with him”
“He makes Philliskirk look like Rush”
“He’ll be playing in non-league in a couple of years, mark my words”

35 years later, what have we learnt?

Brian Deane was our player. James McAtee is on loan until the end of the season. There's the difference.

I'm slightly speechless why this is such a controversial opinion. He's had less influence in 10 games so far than John Fleck, who is apparently shit according to our fans.

If after 20 games he's still just making 10 minutes cameos will the response be the same?

 

[robbiez666]

You're managing ok today on your own

But exactly, give the lad some time to find his feet and get up to speed. Mid season, let's see where he is once maestro Hecky has worked some magic on him.

My main point was that he seems an odd signing.

Already have Ndiaye, Berge and Khadra at AMC
You could argue that he's competition at LCM but he doesn't look like he can play there.

My point isn't a go at the player, it's a question mark over why we've signed him. I assume he came here expecting to play a fair amount of minutes. They'd be no reason for City to let him come otherwise. But who is he meant to be keeping out?

 

[Greasy Chap Butty]

My main point was that he seems an odd signing.

Already have Ndiaye, Berge and Khadra at AMC
You could argue that he's competition at LCM but he doesn't look like he can play there.

My point isn't a go at the player, it's a question mark over why we've signed him. I assume he came here expecting to play a fair amount of minutes. They'd be no reason for City to let him come otherwise. But who is he meant to be keeping out?

I don't know if he's meant to be keeping anybody out as such. Just another to help with rest and rotation or give a particular skill to certain games or parts of, or backup if we ever hand some kind of whacky injury crisis.

 

[BushBlade]

Brian Deane was our player. James McAtee is on loan until the end of the season. There's the difference.

I'm slightly speechless why this is such a controversial opinion. He's had less influence in 10 games so far than John Fleck, who is apparently shit according to our fans.

If after 20 games he's still just making 10 minutes cameos will the response be the same?

I don’t think it’s controversial saying he’s not shown much so far but there’s no reason why he can’t improve as he gets used to the standard of play. What’s possibly controversial is saying send him back, now. I could just as easily say ‘what if after 20 games he’s better than N’Diaye’ but I won’t because I’ve no idea what he’s going to be like with more experience. No one does. If he’s still struggling by the end of December then Hecky may have to send him back but that’s a decision to make then, not now, because by then, there’ll be actual evidence of how much he’s progressed, rather than crystal ball gazing guesswork.
Look back to Weir’s part season when everyone was wanking about Brandy after a couple of games and wondering whether Coady was any good.

 

[robbiez666]

I don’t think it’s controversial saying he’s not shown much so far but there’s no reason why he can’t improve as he gets used to the standard of play. What’s possibly controversial is saying send him back, now. I could just as easily say ‘what if after 20 games he’s better than N’Diaye’ but I won’t because I’ve no idea what he’s going to be like with more experience. No one does. If he’s still struggling by the end of December then Hecky may have to send him back but that’s a decision to make then, not now, because by then, there’ll be actual evidence of how much he’s progressed, rather than crystal ball gazing guesswork.
Look back to Weir’s part season when everyone was wanking about Brandy after a couple of games and wondering whether Coady was any good.

Why would I say send him back now? We can't until January and we can't replace him until January.

In fact, I said this

"It would make sense if both ourself and City decided in January to give it up as a bad job."

Obviously, that gives him another 10 games or so to have more of an impact. I was just questioning the point of the signing from the point of view that we have 3 AMCs already.

 

[BushBlade]

Why would I say send him back now? We can't until January and we can't replace him until January.

In fact, I said this

"It would make sense if both ourself and City decided in January to give it up as a bad job."

Obviously, that gives him another 10 games or so to have more of an impact. I was just questioning the point of the signing from the point of view that we have 3 AMCs already.

The way you’ve written it makes it sound like you’ve already made your mind up. That’s why it appears controversial.

 

[Frank the tank]

Folks were saying he was too inconsistent. A lot of his tricks and flicks weren't always coming off. Folk around us were tutting on many occasions. As the season went on, he was getting more consistent and a times was virtually unplayable. Teams just could not handle him. This is where I'm going with JM. He will need time and our coaching staff will do to him what they did with MGW.

To write him off at this early stage is ludicrous. He will get his chances and will be a far better player, and have a far more positive impact for us.

Forest fan?

What is with this sudden trend on here of saying folk ?
Sounds backward like Amos brealey and mr Wilkes on emmerdale farm

 

[Overthehills]

You're managing ok today on your own

But exactly, give the lad some time to find his feet and get up to speed. Mid season, let's see where he is once maestro Hecky has worked some magic on him.

We’re all entitled to an opinion though bud aren’t we and we’re not always right and wrong ourselves, at least I know I’m not always right…..

Just a tad harsh I feel, whilst sort of understanding his thoughts.

 

[Overthehills]

What is with this sudden trend on here of saying folk ?
Sounds backward like Amos brealey and mr Wilkes on emmerdale farm

Only a good thing…

I’m from Yorkshire and proud, I am more than happy to use traditional tongue as opposed to joining the yuutt culture….

Give me Ow’do over ‘wagwan breadbin’ or whatever they use, any day of the week

 

[Yogi]

It’s hardly like the player keeping him out of the side is gash now is it. Ndiaye has taken that shirt and made it his own.

 

[Frank the tank]

Only a good thing…

I’m from Yorkshire and proud, I am more than happy to use traditional tongue as opposed to joining the yuutt culture….

Give me Ow’do over ‘wagwan breadbin’ or whatever they use, any day of the week

To be fair they sound just as retarded as each other

 

[Overthehills]

To be fair they sound just as retarded as each other

Fuck off to somewhere where we don’t use the historical tongue of centuries before us then…. Simples.

 

[Frank the tank]

Fuck off to somewhere where we don’t use the historical tongue of centuries before us then…. Simples.

Like down south ?

 

[bongleblade]

He's not our player though. I don't doubt for one second that in a year or two he'll be Fodening around but what's the benefit to us of having a player of limited influence for 6 months? Paying his wages and taking up a position where we don't really need numbers?

He's like 4th choice AMC. 3rd if Berge is playing in CM. He's probably competing with Arblaster in pecking order in terms of where he is as a CM. Would he even be in the matchday squad if Fleck or Osborn were fit? I would suggest Khadra is significantly ahead of him in the pecking order, at the moment.

I'd swap him for someone who was competitive at CM now. McAtee looks out of his depth (and age) playing there and we have 3 fit CMs.

Lots of If and Buts but my point is that i think he will develop rapidly and will play himself into the team by the end of the season, and if we're talking about both Fleck and Osborn being fit and preventing him being in the team, then look at our injury record to see the likelihood of this happening.

There's no doubt in my mind he should stay until the end of the season. The only scenario i would oppose him staying is if cancelling his loan agreement enabled us to get that canadian midfielder in JTW.

 

[BushBlade]

It’s hardly like the player keeping him out of the side is gash now is it. Ndiaye has taken that shirt and made it his own.

Being picky though, Ndiaye is used more like a deep lying or second striker, the old no.10 in a 442, rather than as an attacking midfielder behind a front two (Duffy role). I’m not sure Khadra or McAtee are capable of doing that, which does support Robbie’s point about why we signed them. Before the season started I was expecting 3412 but it seems Hecky prefers the 3511 we’re playing at the moment. Maybe that’s because he’s having to accommodate Berge, after expecting him to leave in the last window, I’m not sure.
I can’t see where they fit in right now, apart from as impact subs to change a game.
Or perhaps injuries to our defenders have meant he’s had to stick with the system until we’ve got two who could play in a back four (Clark or Anel with Egan?) and he was initially thinking about 4231 with, say Berge, Ndiaye, Khadra/McAtee in the three.
I’m not complaining as what we’re doing is working at the moment but it seems a bit Robinson/Freeman revisited.

 

[Yogi]

Being picky though, Ndiaye is used more like a deep lying or second striker, the old no.10 in a 442, rather than as an attacking midfielder behind a front two (Duffy role). I’m not sure Khadra or McAtee are capable of doing that, which does support Robbie’s point about why we signed them. Before the season started I was expecting 3412 but it seems Hecky prefers the 3511 we’re playing at the moment. Maybe that’s because he’s having to accommodate Berge, after expecting him to leave in the last window, I’m not sure.
I can’t see where they fit in right now, apart from as impact subs to change a game.
Or perhaps injuries to our defenders have meant he’s had to stick with the system until we’ve got two who could play in a back four (Clark or Anel with Egan?) and he was initially thinking about 4231 with, say Berge, Ndiaye, Khadra/McAtee in the three.
I’m not complaining as what we’re doing is working at the moment but it seems a bit Robinson/Freeman revisited.

He definitely is you’re right and it seems like Khadra is the preferred deputy in that role upfront probably because he’s stronger, bulkier and has a lower centre of gravity.

McAtee does seem like a man without a role but if he does want to have a future at city then he’ll need to get used to this and forcing his claim. In fairness we’ve not heard a single negative peep from him and he seems a good part of the group on all the videos the club puts out.

 

[BushBlade]

He definitely is you’re right and it seems like Khadra is the preferred deputy in that role upfront probably because he’s stronger, bulkier and has a lower centre of gravity.

McAtee does seem like a man without a role but if he does want to have a future at city then he’ll need to get used to this and forcing his claim. In fairness we’ve not heard a single negative peep from him and he seems a good part of the group on all the videos the club puts out.

I agree, I’ve said that about our young players on loan, part of the learning experience is working out how to force yourself into the first team and then stay there.