John McGinn - signed (Captain)

[Axl Rose]

He was anonymous last night, a few small flashes but Warsaw had done their homework on him and he was ineffectual.

Anonymous is being kind.

Big performance needed at Chelsea

[AV82EC]

He was anonymous last night, a few small flashes but Warsaw had done their homework on him and he was ineffectual.

Anonymous is being kind.

Big performance needed at Chelsea

.

That’s 2 games in a row, he does need to turn up at the Bridge…….if selected.

[London Villan]

He's played best under Emery in the wider right midfield role. I'm not sure he's been played in that position all season.

[Monty]

He's played best under Emery in the wider right midfield role. I'm not sure he's been played in that position all season.

He's played there almost every game? He's just been off it a lot.

[London Villan]

Not really, he's played on the left or last night as almost a number 10. Bailey has been in that position mostly.

[Monty]

I think it's a confusion of terms here. McGinn is the most right of the midfielders in starting position but instructed to drift in, Bailey was the second striker whose job is also to drift wide right. I don't think I've ever seen McGinn where Bailey was - do we really want him hugging the touchline, beating his man to cross with his right foot, of all things?

I think he's playing broadly speaking where he always has, with adjusted instructions like everyone else. He's just not doing it very well this season. Love him, genuinely one of my favourite players, but the point of competition should mean that nobody's spot is safe.

[Chris Smith]

He's played best under Emery in the wider right midfield role. I'm not sure he's been played in that position all season.

Losing Ramsey and Buendia has unbalanced the midfield and McGinn has been the one shunted about to compensate. Hopefully we’ll see him playing in a position he’s better suited to with Jacob available again.

[London Villan]

He's played best under Emery in the wider right midfield role. I'm not sure he's been played in that position all season.

Losing Ramsey and Buendia has unbalanced the midfield and McGinn has been the one shunted about to compensate. Hopefully we’ll see him playing in a position he’s better suited to with Jacob available again.

Ramsey definitely, as no-one else what he does - closing players down from the front,  late runs into the box and driving forward from midfield with the ball. 

Trying to accommodate three attacking players (Diaby, Bailey and Watkins) has increased the workload on the remaining midfielders - Bailey and Diaby do very little defensively and the result is the number of goals we are now conceding, added to losing Mings and McGinn not playing in his best position.

[Monty]

But...he's playing the same position! Apart from when he went left, he's still the furthest right of the midfielders. It's the same position!

[London Villan]

here is the passing map of the Liverpool game - McGinn spending most of the time on the left. Remember last season the game against Newcastle - caused Dan Burn all sorts of problems - starting on the right though. Now Ramsey is back he'll hopefully shift across.

[Monty]

As I said, McGinn has played on the left at times this season, but he's also played mostly (like last night) on the right. And he's not been fabulous, for the most part.

[AV84]

I don't think anyone has covered themselves in glory in the first few weeks of this season, but as far as midfield goes do we need to think about dropping McGinn, or is it just a case of him being played out of position, everyone being shit on any given day, or does he just need time to play himself into form?

[Toronto Villa]

He looks tired. His game is very much driven by his energy to get up and down the pitch. He’s played a lot of football when you also consider internationals. Wouldn’t be the worst thing to rest him in a few games.

[Lastfootstamper]

Not too long ago there was no way he was ever getting subbed off. That he has been of late tells me that Emery knows he's tired, but he still wants his captain on the pitch as much as possible. With Ramsey back he might just get his rest.

[Toronto Villa]

Candid from SJM

https://x.com/jmcginn7/status/1705985883470487892?s=46