John McGinn

[brontebilly]

Given how much Mings DOES come across as a captain, it looks a really poorly judged decision by Gerrard.

Replacing Carlos with Mings you could argue was a football decision until Gerrard made a complete mess of it over the summer. Making McGinn captain was the real problem, under performing senior player that's SJM I'm afraid.

If I recall correctly, Deano dropped McGinn for a game or two in the championship and he finished the season great. He only came on at St Andrews the day Grealish got hit and did well from memory. Maybe this will do the trick again, I'd like to see him further forward anyway. If/when we switch to 4231 he can compete for a spot in the three. Pressing with likes of Ramsey from the front. Not taking ball off his centre backs. 433 is not his friend.

[frank]

I’ve not seen him leading or coaching or coaxing or even talking to the players in one match. 

I was watching him on Saturday and I agree with you. He occasionally waved an arm, and that was it. Mings, however, was constantly shouting, gesturing and encouraging.

[coreyfeldman]

https://twitter.com/Total_Villa/status/1566823477797130240?t=UjCAz7IvGB5BICQ_wIsekA&s=19

[Risso]

61% pass accuracy, that's abysmal. Goalkeepers normally do better than that, and most of their "passes" are big wellies up the pitch!

[coreyfeldman]

Not a single tackle and dispossessed 10 times, it sounds like he was asleep

[Drummond]

Yes, but they also get rested from time to give them some recovery time. If he’s been available he’s played pretty much every game for Villa and Scotland over the past 2-3 years and looks jaded to me.

That just doesn't stand up to any scrutiny whatsoever. McGinn is "getting a rest" every midweek when other players are playing midweek European games.

Last season McGinn played 3,092 minutes in the Premier League, and 90 minutes in the FA Cup. Bruno Fernandes played 3,120 minutes in the Premier League, and 520 in the Champions League.

Maybe that's the difference, the players you've cited are match-fit. They play more regularly and therefore stay at Peak Fitness, whereas McGinn and the rest of our crew (who do less running overall than anyone else) just aren't fit enough.

I'd hope it's something that is being worked on behind the scenes, because we need more days like Saturday where they are running, chasing, pressing etc. all through the game. If our players can play at that intensity every week, and let's face it there's no excuse not to be, then we would be flying.

[LeeB]

I love the guy to bits, and I still think at his best he's a great player, but we've not seen it for a long time and he needs time out of the team.

[Drummond]

61% pass accuracy, that's abysmal. Goalkeepers normally do better than that, and most of their "passes" are big wellies up the pitch!

Thankfully it appears you're right on that, I'm sick of us tippy tappying it around our 6 yard box.

[Risso]

Maybe that's the difference, the players you've cited are match-fit. They play more regularly and therefore stay at Peak Fitness, whereas McGinn and the rest of our crew (who do less running overall than anyone else) just aren't fit enough.

I'd hope it's something that is being worked on behind the scenes, because we need more days like Saturday where they are running, chasing, pressing etc. all through the game. If our players can play at that intensity every week, and let's face it there's no excuse not to be, then we would be flying.

I don't think it's that to be honest. Whatever people think of their current form, you couldn't accuse Cash, Digne or Watkins of not running enough or lacking fitness. I just don't think McGinn is naturally very athletic.

[Flamingo Lane]

Not a single tackle and dispossessed 10 times, it sounds like he was asleep

Seems he was still chasing around after the City players the following evening, at Grealish's birthday bash.

[Clampy]

I love the guy to bits, and I still think at his best he's a great player, but we've not seen it for a long time and he needs time out of the team.

Agree with this. He's nowhere near the terrible player some posters constantly say he is.

[Drummond]

Maybe that's the difference, the players you've cited are match-fit. They play more regularly and therefore stay at Peak Fitness, whereas McGinn and the rest of our crew (who do less running overall than anyone else) just aren't fit enough.

I'd hope it's something that is being worked on behind the scenes, because we need more days like Saturday where they are running, chasing, pressing etc. all through the game. If our players can play at that intensity every week, and let's face it there's no excuse not to be, then we would be flying.

I don't think it's that to be honest. Whatever people think of their current form, you couldn't accuse Cash, Digne or Watkins of not running enough or lacking fitness. I just don't think McGinn is naturally very athletic.

That's my excuse too. But you're probably right. The whole lot of them need to be faster and get better stamina. McGinn, Ings and Coutinho all seem to be sluggish to me.

[Risso]

That's my excuse too. But you're probably right. The whole lot of them need to be faster and get better stamina. McGinn, Ings and Coutinho all seem to be sluggish to me.

I think years of serious injuries have had an effect on Ings. He's not long turned 30 but he looks more like 40 and plays like an old pro right at the end of his career. I don't think we've got a systemic problem as the players I mentioned, plus Ramsey, Buendia, Bailey and Luiz all seem perfectly fit enough. Whatever it is with McGinn though, whether fitness, confidence or whatever, he shouldn't be in the   first team at the moment.

[RamboandBruno]

That's my excuse too. But you're probably right. The whole lot of them need to be faster and get better stamina. McGinn, Ings and Coutinho all seem to be sluggish to me.

I think years of serious injuries have had an effect on Ings. He's not long turned 30 but he looks more like 40 and plays like an old pro right at the end of his career. I don't think we've got a systemic problem as the players I mentioned, plus Ramsey, Buendia, Bailey and Luiz all seem perfectly fit enough. Whatever it is with McGinn though, whether fitness, confidence or whatever, he shouldn't be in the   first team at the moment.

Agree. I know a different level and f opposition but id just like to see the 2019 version that never ever stopped running. Anyway, needs to be dropped now, hopefully the big calls Getard made on Saturday are the start of him being braver in his team selections.

[Risso]

Agree. I know a different level and f opposition but id just like to see the 2019 version that never ever stopped running. Anyway, needs to be dropped now, hopefully the big calls Getard made on Saturday are the start of him being braver in his team selections.

He's dropped Mings, dropped Coutinho and Buendia, now he needs to complete his "I'm the boss" Top Trumps by dropping the one player who really deserves it.