James McAtee

[Nick Jansky]

McAtee will down tools if they withhold him from our custody.

Wouldn’t have the sort of professional attitude we would want then.

But actually, he wouldn’t.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I know we have an existing relationship with City Group and I'm sure there's some good will at their end.
But ultimately City will look after themselves before us. Most media chatter is that they want to develop McAtee by loaning him to a club that play a possession based style system similar to theirs. Which makes sense.
And Cole Palmer will have a queue of clubs higher up the food chain that will be sniffing around him ahead of us.

I can see T-Blade has liked your post though and he seems to have inside knowledge so would be intrigued to know his thoughts on it...?

Depends how you frame it. Obviously you’ll have a pessimistic take but I’ve not seen multiple sources saying that City want him going to a possession based side and I think they’ll see from both Doyle and Mcatee their players have developed significantly under our manager.
I do agree they’ll pick the best option for them, I think that’s us.
You see all the higher teams as better options for his development I don’t and I don’t think City do either else we wouldn’t be continually working with them.

I wouldn’t read into T-Blades like too much as an indication of accuracy, he was probably just acknowledging the comment.

 

[Cappy]

It also depends on how City see his future.

Do they see him as a genuine potential player for them? In which case, they will want to see specific physical and mental development, which maybe we can’t offer.

If they simply want to increase his sale value, then we are very much a good destination.

 

[Kevincarterversion2.0]

I’d be delighted with either Palmer or McAtee.

 

[Need4speed]

I have already said it - the monetary value of their young players is all Man City care about - because that is the way they can spend millions and stay within FFP and remember UEFA rules on losses are more stringent than the Premier Leagues rules. Apart from Foden none of Man City's youngsters have made it to regularly appear. And Foden is still under used. They don't actually care about the careers of Doyle McAtee and Palmer

 

[Colombia Blade]

Don't really get the "possession" argument. This was the stats for the Forest match...


And this was with a severely weakened team with no first choice strikers and a lopsided midfield. If anything, McAtee improves our level of possession against similar sides (not to mention McBurnie back in the team will massively improve us in this regard)

 

[Silent Blade]

The thread title reminds me of the New Zealand bowler in the 1970s!

 

[chesblade]

Blades extra saying mcatee on loan and Doyle permanent to wolves, hope this is rubbish

 

[Brownieblade]

Blades extra saying mcatee on loan and Doyle permanent to wolves, hope this is rubbish

They can have Doyle as long as we can have McAtee

 

[bertieblade]

Love to have McAtee on loan with an option to buy if we stay up. Buy back for them.
They Have palmer and a whole host of options, will he ever retain a first team spot for them

 

[moody1889]

Don't know why we aren't pushing the boat out and going for Doyle Permanently and McAtee back.

Because if we go down I think Doyle will be more likely to stay and try and help us get back to the Premier league if we are relegated this season.

 

[Diamondlife]

Blades extra saying mcatee on loan and Doyle permanent to wolves, hope this is rubbish

Been on a stadium tour to the Etihad with a group of young people today, I’d said I was a Blade and got told by the tour guide that they’d heard McAtee was coming to us and that Doyle was off somewhere else. Not reading too much into it but it was what was said

 

[BrisBlade]

Been on a stadium tour to the Etihad with a group of young people today, I’d said I was a Blade and got told by the tour guide that they’d heard McAtee was coming to us and that Doyle was off somewhere else. Not reading too much into it but it was what was said

Hope they've got Pep doing the tours as a volunteer guide on his day off!

 

[FTPE]

Don't know why we aren't pushing the boat out and going for Doyle Permanently and McAtee back.

Because if we go down I think Doyle will be more likely to stay and try and help us get back to the Premier league if we are relegated this season.

I wanted Doyle, but it seems that ship has sailed when we signed Souza and Davies.

 

[Brownieblade]

I wanted Doyle, but it seems that ship has sailed when we signed Souza and Davies.

Probably get Doyle next season if we are back in Championship

 

[Champagneblade]

Prediction time - Palmer stays at Man C or is sold (West Ham or Brighton), McAtee goes to Wolves or Ajax, Doyle to Utd on loan

Not ideal as Utd would still lack creativity (either Hamer or Doyle would have to play further forward) but at least central midfield would be stacked (for the first time in years!)

Where does McAtee play?

If you have McBurnie and Archer up front, then you have Souza, Norwood and Hamer.

I’m assuming that Norwood drops out and McAtee to the left, Hamer to the right, both in front of Souza.

You could argue at this level that Doyle for Norwood alongside Souza, with Hamer a bit further advanced behind McBurnie and Archer has a slightly more robust balance about it given we might not be on the front foot so much.

I don’t think we should be on a downer if it is Doyle that comes back. He’s a good player. He was also very creative for Cardiff. I can understand the attraction to McAtee though as he does get goals and he can produce some magic but Doyle can also make the team tick.

 

[Yewsman]

Where does McAtee play?

If you have McBurnie and Archer up front, then you have Souza, Norwood and Hamer.

I’m assuming that Norwood drops out and McAtee to the left, Hamer to the right, both in front of Souza.

You could argue at this level that Doyle for Norwood alongside Souza, with Hamer a bit further advanced behind McBurnie and Archer has a slightly more robust balance about it given we might not be on the front foot so much.

I don’t think we should be on a downer if it is Doyle that comes back. He’s a good player. He was also very creative for Cardiff. I can understand the attraction to McAtee though as he does get goals and he can produce some magic but Doyle can also make the team tick.

I see Doyle as a replacement for Norwood. Played that role last season when after the Luton and Boro games Hecky realised we needed more energy and athleticism in midfield. Have always been a Norwood fan but he doesn’t have the athleticism and energy for the EPL. Looks like the Doyle ship has sailed and McAtee different type of player but is likely to score goals and provide assists that we will need.

 

[Houso]

Don't know why we aren't pushing the boat out and going for Doyle Permanently and McAtee back.

Because if we go down I think Doyle will be more likely to stay and try and help us get back to the Premier league if we are relegated this season.

We don't hold the cards on this one in the slightest. If City really want Nunes and Wolves want Doyle, then we're quite simply out of that fight.

Think there will be a lot of late business for everyone on Friday.

 

[jono_t2000]

Where does McAtee play?

If you have McBurnie and Archer up front, then you have Souza, Norwood and Hamer.

I’m assuming that Norwood drops out and McAtee to the left, Hamer to the right, both in front of Souza.

You could argue at this level that Doyle for Norwood alongside Souza, with Hamer a bit further advanced behind McBurnie and Archer has a slightly more robust balance about it given we might not be on the front foot so much.

I don’t think we should be on a downer if it is Doyle that comes back. He’s a good player. He was also very creative for Cardiff. I can understand the attraction to McAtee though as he does get goals and he can produce some magic but Doyle can also make the team tick.

I would normally advocate 2x number 10s behind a single striker.

But the fact that we've got a decent chunk of strikers and no attacking mids yet means likely playing 2 strikers with 1 just behind.

If we do end up with Doyle I wouldn't be against it, in fact I would argue he potentially gives us more options as he can play the Norwood role but even push up to be an attacking mid if needs must.

Although in saying that, given our lack of creativity, an out and out number 10 would probably be the best way to go.

 

[gaffablade]

I’d be delighted with either Palmer or McAtee.

McAtee would be brilliant, but palmer is even better.

So yes, delighted with either.

 

[BrisBlade]

Where does McAtee play?

If you have McBurnie and Archer up front, then you have Souza, Norwood and Hamer.

I’m assuming that Norwood drops out and McAtee to the left, Hamer to the right, both in front of Souza.

You could argue at this level that Doyle for Norwood alongside Souza, with Hamer a bit further advanced behind McBurnie and Archer has a slightly more robust balance about it given we might not be on the front foot so much.

I don’t think we should be on a downer if it is Doyle that comes back. He’s a good player. He was also very creative for Cardiff. I can understand the attraction to McAtee though as he does get goals and he can produce some magic but Doyle can also make the team tick.

If we can get the personnel, I suspect we'll set up differently home (3-4-1-2 or 3-3-3-1) and away (3-4-2-1). While Doyle and Hammer could potentially play behind the striker(s), I would argue it's a more natural position for Macca.

 

[ancientblade]

would agree with that especially the away formation would be archer up top and 2 from mcatee mcburnie or traore in behind

 

[Mesut Özil's Lawnmower]

Where does McAtee play?

If you have McBurnie and Archer up front, then you have Souza, Norwood and Hamer.

I’m assuming that Norwood drops out and McAtee to the left, Hamer to the right, both in front of Souza.

You could argue at this level that Doyle for Norwood alongside Souza, with Hamer a bit further advanced behind McBurnie and Archer has a slightly more robust balance about it given we might not be on the front foot so much.

I don’t think we should be on a downer if it is Doyle that comes back. He’s a good player. He was also very creative for Cardiff. I can understand the attraction to McAtee though as he does get goals and he can produce some magic but Doyle can also make the team tick.

Tend to agree with this, especially as we’ve quite often discovered we are a poorer team without Norwood (until Doyle came in for him)

Think we might struggle more than we’d expect if we dropped Norwood for a player like Mcatee

 

[Mouth of the South]

Where does McAtee play?

If you have McBurnie and Archer up front, then you have Souza, Norwood and Hamer.

I’m assuming that Norwood drops out and McAtee to the left, Hamer to the right, both in front of Souza.

You could argue at this level that Doyle for Norwood alongside Souza, with Hamer a bit further advanced behind McBurnie and Archer has a slightly more robust balance about it given we might not be on the front foot so much.

I don’t think we should be on a downer if it is Doyle that comes back. He’s a good player. He was also very creative for Cardiff. I can understand the attraction to McAtee though as he does get goals and he can produce some magic but Doyle can also make the team tick.

Back to the same dilemma CW had - do you go with a flat 3 in mod or 2 holding and 1 more advanced? It may be horses for courses but PH has better and more robust players to go with a 2 (Souza & Hamer), thereby allowing a more advanced player to be included, which would more naturally suit a McAtee type. This would be my preference as it provides a better link to the front 2, avoids them becoming isolated and provides more service to them in dangerous areas. Doyle showed he is able to play in that more advanced role but his best position is sitting deeper and McAtee is naturally a better fit further forward.

It does however, make the team less compact - Norwood / Doyle would nullify more opposition possession/attacks than McAtee.

What I'm still scratching my head a bit at - is there Davies fits into this. Doyle would have been a better fit IMHO but was obviously a more expensive option (especially with the relegation clause disagreement).

 

[Brownieblade]

Back to the same dilemma CW had - do you go with a flat 3 in mod or 2 holding and 1 more advanced? It may be horses for courses but PH has better and more robust players to go with a 2 (Souza & Hamer), thereby allowing a more advanced player to be included, which would more naturally suit a McAtee type. This would be my preference as it provides a better link to the front 2, avoids them becoming isolated and provides more service to them in dangerous areas. Doyle showed he is able to play in that more advanced role but his best position is sitting deeper and McAtee is naturally a better fit further forward.

It does however, make the team less compact - Norwood / Doyle would nullify more opposition possession/attacks than McAtee.

What I'm still scratching my head a bit at - is there Davies fits into this. Doyle would have been a better fit IMHO but was obviously a more expensive option (especially with the relegation clause disagreement).

Davies has played how many prem league games ?? Doyle hasn’t played a single one has he ?? Possibly a sub appearance at best

I think Hecky has been cautious and tried to get experience

 

[ancientblade]

Back to the same dilemma CW had - do you go with a flat 3 in mod or 2 holding and 1 more advanced? It may be horses for courses but PH has better and more robust players to go with a 2 (Souza & Hamer), thereby allowing a more advanced player to be included, which would more naturally suit a McAtee type. This would be my preference as it provides a better link to the front 2, avoids them becoming isolated and provides more service to them in dangerous areas. Doyle showed he is able to play in that more advanced role but his best position is sitting deeper and McAtee is naturally a better fit further forward.

It does however, make the team less compact - Norwood / Doyle would nullify more opposition possession/attacks than McAtee.

What I'm still scratching my head a bit at - is there Davies fits into this. Doyle would have been a better fit IMHO but was obviously a more expensive option (especially with the relegation clause disagreement).

youve said it in that last paragraph mouth doyle obviously was our number 1 choice but davies was cheaper still think davies will be handy for us loads of experience at this level

 

[Mouth of the South]

Davies has played how many prem league games ?? Doyle hasn’t played a single one has he ?? Possibly a sub appearance at best

I think Hecky has been cautious and tried to get experience

youve said it in that last paragraph mouth doyle obviously was our number 1 choice but davies was cheaper still think davies will be handy for us loads of experience at this level

Yep - it will be interesting to see where PH sees TD fitting in - in a flat 3, or in either the deeper or more advanced roles in a 2 + 1.

 

[Brownieblade]

Yep - it will be interesting to see where PH sees TD fitting in - in a flat 3, or in either the deeper or more advanced roles in a 2 + 1.

I would hazard a guess, nothing more, that it would be Souza and Davies with Hamer trying to get further forward

 

[Mouth of the South]

I would hazard a guess, nothing more, that it would be Souza and Davies with Hamer trying to get further forward

Possibly so but similar to Doyle, Hamer's more natural position is deeper, although he can play further forward if necessary

 

[Pintor75]

Doyle (if he comes) in to midfield with hamer & souza, McBurnie Archer up front, Traore in behind
McAtee in behind (if he comes), think Davies,Norwood,Osborn, Coubaily, & Slimane are cover imo