John McGinn

[kippaxvilla2]

I absolutely dread to think what the flack is going to be like here if we aren’t in the top six by Christmas.

[darren woolley]

What a brilliant goal by SJM against Austria.

[Mister E]

I wonder what Smith has learned from McGinn's international performances; particularly about where to play him in our formation?

[paul_e]

I don't think his position is the problem really, it's more that we haven't been getting enough possession for McGinn to drift into the box as much as he does for Scotland but there's nothing in the role he's playing that should be stopping that from happening.

[villa for life]

McGinn should be playing in the Ross Barkley-Sanson role, like he did previously. The decision to turn him into a defensive central midfielder is mind boggling, and for me ranks as the biggest regret of the season.  Watkins would have been a major beneficiary, as well.

This period when Jack has been out would have been the perfect time to make the change...

[JuanMartinez]

McGinn should be playing in the Ross Barkley-Sanson role, like he did previously. The decision to turn him into a defensive central midfielder is mind boggling, and for me ranks as the biggest regret of the season.  Watkins would have been a major beneficiary, as well.

This period when Jack has been out would have been the perfect time to make the change...

Agreed,
Good post.

[ChicagoLion]

McGinn should be playing in the Ross Barkley-Sanson role, like he did previously. The decision to turn him into a defensive central midfielder is mind boggling, and for me ranks as the biggest regret of the season.  Watkins would have been a major beneficiary, as well.

This period when Jack has been out would have been the perfect time to make the change...

Agreed,
Good post.

We have been crying out for support of Watkins up front. All we have done is rotate AEG,Trez and Traore. When it obvious where we should be deploying SJM.
It looks like a major fuck up.

[Clampy]

McGinn should be playing in the Ross Barkley-Sanson role, like he did previously. The decision to turn him into a defensive central midfielder is mind boggling, and for me ranks as the biggest regret of the season.  Watkins would have been a major beneficiary, as well.

This period when Jack has been out would have been the perfect time to make the change...

I agree overall and I hope he is put back there eventually but you could also argue that he has helped play his part in the defence keeping as many clean sheets as they have.

[Mister E]

I'd like to see a set-up where Watkins supported by McGinn and Sanson, with JG, Luiz and Nakamba (or Ramsey) behind them.
With a EPL status assured, this is a time to try new things and seek to optimise player-contribution.

[Risso]

McGinn should be playing in the Ross Barkley-Sanson role, like he did previously. The decision to turn him into a defensive central midfielder is mind boggling, and for me ranks as the biggest regret of the season.  Watkins would have been a major beneficiary, as well.

This period when Jack has been out would have been the perfect time to make the change...

Agreed,
Good post.

We have been crying out for support of Watkins up front. All we have done is rotate AEG,Trez and Traore. When it obvious where we should be deploying SJM.
It looks like a major fuck up.

It's one of Smith's biggest failings, lack of tactical flexibility, and sticking to the same tired subs that never, ever change a match. The completely ineffective rotation of the AEG, Traore and Trez is really dispiriting.

[Drummond]

One of his biggest? Makes it sound likes he's an error-strewn type?

[ChicagoLion]

McGinn should be playing in the Ross Barkley-Sanson role, like he did previously. The decision to turn him into a defensive central midfielder is mind boggling, and for me ranks as the biggest regret of the season.  Watkins would have been a major beneficiary, as well.

This period when Jack has been out would have been the perfect time to make the change...

Agreed,
Good post.

We have been crying out for support of Watkins up front. All we have done is rotate AEG,Trez and Traore. When it obvious where we should be deploying SJM.
It looks like a major fuck up.

It's one of Smith's biggest failings, lack of tactical flexibility, and sticking to the same tired subs that never, ever change a match. The completely ineffective rotation of the AEG, Traore and Trez is really dispiriting.

if Clarke can work this out.
A front 3 of Jack Ollie and SJM would be fun to watch.

[West Derby Villan]

McGinn should be playing in the Ross Barkley-Sanson role, like he did previously. The decision to turn him into a defensive central midfielder is mind boggling, and for me ranks as the biggest regret of the season.  Watkins would have been a major beneficiary, as well.

This period when Jack has been out would have been the perfect time to make the change...

I agree overall and I hope he is put back there eventually but you could also argue that he has helped play his part in the defence keeping as many clean sheets as they have.

Yeah agree, I presume Smith knew that SJM could be relied on to help out

[Ian.]

Me too, it’s so obvious he’s much more effective further forward. Also we do have Nakamba as well as Luiz and Sanson. Surely we could rotate between those three keeping McGinn forward.

[cdbearsfan]

Would be worth giving him a go where Barkley was earlier in the season.