[WR10]

Defensively he was good today, but he is not a natural footballer. Barely any composure on the ball and his first touches/dribble attempts almost cost him again. It was summed up nicely when Rafa at one point had the ball and had a player closing him down, and he did a little cutback with the ball getting him out of danger like any natural footballer would do in possession and it looked completely foreign to Paddy, he tried to hoof it right out of Rafa's possession. Rafa told him to calm down but I don't think he can. Not sure if that is of age, or if he's low on confidence, or if he's just shite on the ball..

 

[lysglimt]

He is solid - but I doubt he will ever be good enough to be a regular. But I prefer him to Blackett. Watching Tyler Blackett play is not recommended less than an hour before going to the doctor to have your bloodpressure measured.

 

[Cooksen]

Putting this idea out here but does anyone think that he could be a good DM for us?

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Putting this idea out here but does anyone think that he could be a good DM for us?

I think when you look at the quality players like Carrick and Blind bring to that role, that's what you have to continue to look for, I don't think you can't look to players like McNair for that role.

 

[Carl]

Putting this idea out here but does anyone think that he could be a good DM for us?

Carrick and Blind already operate in that area and are very good at it so it would be pointless. He's got the technique for it though.

 

[khoazany]

Putting this idea out here but does anyone think that he could be a good DM for us?

Pearson is a better option if you want a young DM.McNair's all-round game just not enough for that role.

 

[kouroux]

Why does he play in the middle of three CBs ? Wouldn't you want the more experienced player to have the more central role ? Not criticism, just trying to understand.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Why does he play in the middle of three CBs ? Wouldn't you want the more experienced player to have the more central role ? Not criticism, just trying to understand.

So many different ways to look at it in my opinion and probably too much debate has been had on it. People have said van Gaal rates him higher than the others so he put his best in the middle etc, in my opinion, I think it was probably the other way and van Gaal supported him on both sides with more experienced players.

Out of the 3, Evans is probably the most comfortable on the left side, Jones is very comfortable on the right, so it made sense for him to being the centre. I don't think it's that big an issue though, I can see why people think it is though.

 

[iBoss]

Why does he play in the middle of three CBs ? Wouldn't you want the more experienced player to have the more central role ? Not criticism, just trying to understand.

Evans has played LB before, Jones has played RB before. I guess they can push out of defence easier if they can get on their strong foot (I know Evans isn't left footed, but he is the best option considering the injuries). We didn't see too much of them coming out of defence though.

 

[marjen]

Why does he play in the middle of three CBs ? Wouldn't you want the more experienced player to have the more central role ? Not criticism, just trying to understand.

I think this is because of a couple of factors.

He looks the least comfortable on the ball out of our CB's so surrounding him with two easy options either side of him for a short pass is sound logic.

Also, as the middle CB he's not going to get dragged out that often and can concentrate on winning his aerial duels and tackles, which he does quite well. Also, he's not that dependant on using pace to cover for the full backs out wide. He's also less likely to get run at directly.

Overall I see the logic even though I'd prefer Smalling there when he's fit.

 

[FromTheBench]

Why does he play in the middle of three CBs ? Wouldn't you want the more experienced player to have the more central role ? Not criticism, just trying to understand.

The way we are playing this system right now the side CB's role seems tougher than the centre ones if anything. Especially in terms of distribution.

Mcnair cannot play on the left in this Plus Jones has been our best RCB in this and Mcnair would struggle on the outside for pace more and cannot drive with the ball to break the press like Jones.

 

[kouroux]

Cheers everyone

 

[RooneyLegend]

Never going to be good enough for us.

 

[Gopher Brown]

Never going to be good enough for us.

Yeah, he doesn't have the strength of personality to make it I don't think. He doesn't want the ball, and when it comes to him you can see him start to worry.

He'll probably end up moving around clubs in the Championship. He has done his job though.

 

[Getsme]

Never going to be good enough for us.

Post's like this make me laugh, thanks.

 

[Getsme]

Yeah, he doesn't have the strength of personality to make it I don't think. He doesn't want the ball, and when it comes to him you can see him start to worry.

He'll probably end up moving around clubs in the Championship. He has done his job though.

And these ones.

 

[Gopher Brown]

And these ones.

Okay. Explain.

 

[Trizy]

I'm gonna cut him some slack because he can pass and defend but putting a inexperienced young defender in a 3 at the back situation which makes him completely change and rethink his game clearly is effecting his performances. Most games we play 3 at the back we get pressured like feck so that clearly doesn't help any of our defenders.

I'd like him to go on loan for a few years and see how he turns out, I've high hopes for him but I think Blackett is better.

 

[Getsme]

Okay. Explain.

I really don't need to.

 

[Gopher Brown]

I really don't need to.

Posts like this make me laugh.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

It is pretty funny to see someone on here question McNair's strength of personality.

 

[DanNistelrooy]

Thought he had one of his better games after a shaky 1st half. Still not seen anything to suggest he should be in the starting 11 though. Do not think it would be wise to start him at Stoke,

 

[Getsme]

Posts like this make me laugh.

Ok, then if I must

You say he doesn’t have the strength of personality to make it here, where is the proof that he doesn’t? Is it because he was thrust into the first team with literally no first team experience and surpassed all expectations or was it that he hasn’t looked out of place and some would argue has been one of our better defenders this season, maybe it’s when he was subbed after 40 minutes against Villa but still didn’t let it affect his performance yesterday? Or maybe it was when everyone said he would be bullied by Lukaku, but he managed to restrict him to one shot the entire match?

You also agreed that he will never make it here? Again show me the proof, there is nothing to suggest he won’t make it here, he is 19 and has played a handful of games, and has performed above expectations. It’s a bit early to be chucking him out the door isn’t it, actually why don’t we write off the entire underage players, it will safe us time and energy and help us buy all these superstars that are floating about.

And as for floating about the Championship? How have you come to that conclusion? Even if he doesn’t make it here why couldn’t he make it at another Premier League Club?

 

[Gopher Brown]

Ok, then if I must

You say he doesn’t have the strength of personality to make it here, where is the proof that he doesn’t? Is it because he was thrust into the first team with literally no first team experience and surpassed all expectations or was it that he hasn’t looked out of place and some would argue has been one of our better defenders this season, maybe it’s when he was subbed after 40 minutes against Villa but still didn’t let it affect his performance yesterday? Or maybe it was when everyone said he would be bullied by Lukaku, but he managed to restrict him to one shot the entire match?

You also agree that he will never make it here? Again show me the proof, there is nothing to suggest he won’t make it here, he is 19 and has played a handful of games, and has performed above expectations. It’s a bit early to be chucking him out the door isn’t it, actually why don’t we write off the entire underage players, it will safe us time and energy and help us buy all these superstars that are floating about.

And as for floating about the Championship? How have you come to that conclusion? Even if he doesn’t make it here why couldn’t he make it at another Premier League Club?

I think he has comfortably been our worst defender this season so far. He had a good game against Everton, yes, but he doesn't fill anyone with confidence. This is especially apparent when he's the last defender and attackers are baring down on him. His touch is always too hesitant or too heavy.

It is too early to write him off I admit, he is 19 after all, but if we are bringing in more defenders, which we surely must do, players like him, Thorpe and Keane are not going to make it here.

Craig Cathcart was once highly regarded here and look where he is now, as was Corry Evans. Luckily for you it's not me making the decisions, but I don't think anyone would be at all surprised if he went at the end of next season.

 

[glazed]

To be fair McNair has shown himself to be a very admirable and promising young player, without really indicating he'll ever become top class. Or indicating that he won't become top class, for that matter.

To be sure of getting a top class player, you have to buy a top class player, and that's probably what we need to do, given our weakness in this position. So Blackett and McNair aren't going to get as many chances as they'd like to play and may feel they have to go elsewhere.

 

[Smores]

Writing of a 19 year old CB to the championship, my word, I suppose this place would be dull without such idiocy.

Even ABU opposition fans I've watched our games with have been impressed with this lad everytime. He's solid beyond his years he just needs more experience.

 

[Getsme]

I think he has comfortably been our worst defender this season so far. He had a good game against Everton, yes, but he doesn't fill anyone with confidence. This is especially apparent when he's the last defender and attackers are baring down on him. His touch is always too hesitant or too heavy.

It is too early to write him off I admit, he is 19 after all, but if we are bringing in more defenders, which we surely must do, players like him, Thorpe and Keane are not going to make it here.

Craig Cathcart was once highly regarded here and look where he is now, as was Corry Evans. Luckily for you it's not me making the decisions, but I don't think anyone would be at all surprised if he went at the end of next season.

In your opinion he has been our worst defender, in many other he has been one of the better performers, to say he has had only one good game is way off the mark, the majority of the Caf seem to agree as his average rating is the same as Rojo and only very close to Jones who is leading the way.

Thorpe and Keane haven’t caught the eye of LVG, there is an argument to be had that they may not make it here, as for Evans and Cathcart, they didn’t have the talent to make it however they weren’t given the same reasonability that LVG has gave to McNair, thats the big differance here.

Many players have come through the ranks and been a success here, I don’t have to name them as we all know who they are, many more are now playing for other Premiership Clubs, Shawcross, Richardson, Alex Bruce, Drinkwater, Rossi, Howard, Campbell, De Laet to name but a few.

It’s far, far too early to write off McNair, it’s silly to even suggest it IMO.

 

[Isotope]

Writing of a 19 year old CB to the championship, my word, I suppose this place would be dull without such idiocy.

Even ABU opposition fans I've watched our games with have been impressed with this lad everytime. He's solid beyond his years he just needs more experience.

This. At his age and first season, up and down performances are expected. Whether it would be costly for us as a team and we could afford that, it's another story.

 

[khoazany]

Writing of a 19 year old CB to the championship, my word, I suppose this place would be dull without such idiocy.

Even ABU opposition fans I've watched our games with have been impressed with this lad everytime. He's solid beyond his years he just needs more experience.

I gave up long time ago trying to explain to them that every youngster promoted from the rank will have flaws in their games at first due to their inexperience or in some case,zero experience about senior football, especially one who only played U21s football for half a season before this season like McNair.

Fans nowadays have zero patience and refuse to really watch a player for long enough before making judgement.McNair is not comfortable on the ball?Give me a 19 years old CB with an experience like him playing at this level who looked more assured on the ball then?Oh too bad there is none.Making mistakes?Callum Chambers also bloody did a lot and it's not even his first season of PL football.

Let's just fill the squad with full of top class players when we're at it.Surely it will solve all of our problems.Who care about develop youngsters from the rank?They're full of errors anyway.

About McNair, he's still learning the CB role.I hope people watched him in 2012-2013 to realise the massive improvement.Give him 1-2 more seasons and some will have to laugh at their comments.

 

[Raoul]

McNair's age and inexperience can't be overlooked when evaluating him. This summer, he was if I recall not even part of the US tour and buried below Thorpe on the youth CB pecking order. Van Gaal obviously sees something in him that he would like to develop and Paddy has done well with the opportunity. Anyone criticizing a hard working 19 year old kid trying to make his way in football needs to give themselves a slap.

 

[kundalini]

I'm amazed anyone can make a call on the future of McNair, M.Keane, Blackett or any similar defender who has played a few PL matches and done ok in some games while looking out of their depth in other matches. We don't have enough evidence to know either way. We don't know how much they can develop physically, mentally, tactically. We don't even know what their current average performance level is (LVG will have a better idea from seeing them in training but even he won't be sure at this stage). If they start 25 PL games would we see a ton of errors or just a few more than you'd get from Jones, Evans or Smalling ?

 

[khoazany]

I'm amazed anyone can make a call on the future of McNair, M.Keane, Blackett or any similar defender who has played a few PL matches and done ok in some games while looking out of their depth in other matches. We don't have enough evidence to know either way. We don't know how much they can develop physically, mentally, tactically. We don't even know what their current average performance level is (LVG will have a better idea from seeing them in training but even he won't be sure at this stage). If they start 25 PL games would we see a ton of errors or just a few more than you'd get from Jones, Evans or Smalling ?

Funnily Michael Keane has only make a couple of mistakes when playing for Burnley, much less than McNair and Blackett.He's more experienced though, just need the confidence.But yeah he was shit against MK Dons so let's get him out of the door asap.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

Funnily Michael Keane has only make a couple of mistakes when playing for Burnley, much less than McNair and Blackett.He's more experienced though, just need the confidence.But yeah he was shit against MK Dons so let's get him out of the door asap.

It was only an exhibition but he looked so lost for pace against Bale & Ronaldo in preseason that I think it kind of left an impression on everyone since then. I know not a lot of defenders have a chance against either of those but Keane was pretty much beat the moment they received the ball. I'm kind of pleasantly surprised he's been pulling a few MOTM awards at Burnley.

 

[kundalini]

Funnily Michael Keane has only make a couple of mistakes when playing for Burnley, much less than McNair and Blackett.He's more experienced though, just need the confidence.But yeah he was shit against MK Dons so let's get him out of the door asap.

There will almost inevitably be winners and losers this summer as we appear to have a bunch of young(ish) defenders whose performance level is very similar. What has surprised me is that the more experienced young defenders (Smalling, Rojo and Jones) don't look that much better than the relative novices (McNair, M.Keane and Blackett).

I've noticed more than a couple of errors from M.Keane just from watching the highlights of Burnley matches. No idea how he compares to Blackett or McNair as I'm conscious of almost every minor error they make.

 

[khoazany]

I've noticed more than a couple of errors from M.Keane just from watching the highlights of Burnley matches. No idea how he compares to Blackett or McNair as I'm conscious of almost every minor error they make.

He was shaky in his first 2 matches for them but grown since then.As far as I aware I can't see any real mistake from him vs City.He and his CB partner made one vs Liverpool that lead to Sterling's goal.Can't recall any big mistake from him from the match before that.He's the type of players that need confidence at the level he's playing at to perform well.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Cheers everyone

Martin Keown essentially said that the middle position in the three is the easiest as you don't have to cover the full backs.

 

[Decotron]

I think he has comfortably been our worst defender this season so far. He had a good game against Everton, yes, but he doesn't fill anyone with confidence. This is especially apparent when he's the last defender and attackers are baring down on him. His touch is always too hesitant or too heavy.

It is too early to write him off I admit, he is 19 after all, but if we are bringing in more defenders, which we surely must do, players like him, Thorpe and Keane are not going to make it here.

Craig Cathcart was once highly regarded here and look where he is now, as was Corry Evans. Luckily for you it's not me making the decisions, but I don't think anyone would be at all surprised if he went at the end of next season.

Hes been better than Blackett thats for sure. Look at our win records for each of their individual starts....

 

[Litch]

Can understand criticism of his defending but "technically really poor"? That's just nonsense.

So defending doesn't take any technical ability?

 

[Rykker_4united]

Its becoming clearer that Getsme just defends North Irish players to the death. Well, fair play.

 

[Revan]

McNair's age and inexperience can't be overlooked when evaluating him. This summer, he was if I recall not even part of the US tour and buried below Thorpe on the youth CB pecking order. Van Gaal obviously sees something in him that he would like to develop and Paddy has done well with the opportunity. Anyone criticizing a hard working 19 year old kid trying to make his way in football needs to give themselves a slap.

Well said. Especially considering that he has played fairly well. I mean he had some great performances, some average ones and a very bad one.

But then again, no-one expected him to play this season in EPL. However, he has played 10 games which shows that he is doing something right. After all, he was supposed to be our 8th choice CB, but now he is our 5th choice.

It is too early to make any judgement on him and so far I have been impressed with him.