John McGinn

[astonvilla82]

McGinn was in a pub in the city centre today. I'm not sure if he was drinking or not but he was definitely in the pub.

Believe he was watching the Celtic match, drinking coffee

[Mellin]

Doug is an 8 who has spent 3 years playing as a 6. Stick Kamara behind him and Buendia in front of him and I'd be pretty happy with that. He's a good player.

Then out wide play...oh shit. Bring back Bert. But the front 3 is where are problems are now imo. Centre mid looks okay with the right personnel.

[Axl Rose]

I'm glad he's out of the team, he's shit and fat.

Agreed.

A woeful player.

[PaulTheVillan]

I think Luiz has been our best midfielder. But that’s not difficult

[N'ZMAV]

I'm glad he's out of the team, he's shit and fat.

well that's enough about me, but what about McGinn?

[tomd2103]

I think that’s the issue with Doug, what is he?For me he’s a traditional midfielder who does a bit of everything or an 8 but mostly in all his time in the team he’s been asked to play as the only defensive midfielder, he’s had decent games there but not his speciality.
McGinn has also been asked to play an unnatural game, either too deep or as some auxiliary full back, particularly this season.

That's the issue with McGinn and Ramsey to some extent - Gerrard's system didn't play to their strengths at all.  I woukd still like to see McGinn further forward, where he coukd lead the press and use his strengths.

[john e]

I'm glad he's out of the team, he's shit and fat.

I’m glad he’s out of the team
but he’s a top player and will be back

[Toronto Villa]

I feel sorry for him only in this regard. He was put in a spot by the manager that he didn’t need to be put in. McGinn has never come across as a leader more a hard working bee. It clearly impacted him and his football suffered. Add to that he was kept out there by the former manager way more than he should have been. A good manager would have seen it wasn’t working and done something about it sooner. And finally I think we as fans have a higher than reasonable expectation of him relative to his actual ability. McGinn is a very solid PL player who in the right position can give you the odd really excellent game or some top goals. But he’s not the McGinn of the Championship where he was clearly better than that level. He’s not been able to carry that on at PL level because he’s just not good enough.

[Lescottstweets]

Suited to the Championship, hopefully a bench warmer from here on in.

[Matt C]

I don’t know how good McGinn is but I’m certain he’s way better than we’ve seen recently. Not playing out of position, without the weight of a captaincy and after a break from the firing line should help.

[AGRIPPA]

This is a player who consistently delivers at international level….there’s definitely a very decent player in there who over the last two seasons we’ve rarely seen. Dropping him will probably do us and him a favour…..

[Toronto Villa]

This is a player who consistently delivers at international level….there’s definitely a very decent player in there who over the last two seasons we’ve rarely seen. Dropping him will probably do us and him a favour…..

He plays a different role which is part of the issue but at international level most of the games are against crap opponents. Not wanting to dismiss what he’s done because he’s been great for Scotland but the overall weekly quality of the PL is greater than international level.

[edgysatsuma89]

I understand people saying making him captain hasn't helped him because it clearly hasn't however he has been poor for a long time now, long before he got given the captaincy. I think it's being used a little as an excuse. He's actually the one player that I don't know what his role is meant to be and haven't for a while now. For instance all the times Luiz has been shit in my head I've always thought 'well he clearly should be in the 2 of a 2-3-1, he's not a solo DM'. When it comes to McGinn I now don't see it, that should be our formation going forward so where does he fit? He shouldn't be in the 2 in my opinion, so who should he be replacing in the 3? Maybe Watkins depending on how he gets on in the wide role in the medium term? I quite like the idea of some freedom between Buendia and Bailey on that left and centre. I just don't know. I don't see it. I know it's against weaker opponents but what is his actual role for Scotland? I can't say I've ever really watched him play for them properly apart from knowing it is in a roughly more attacking position.

Edit: I guess he's back up for Dougie then now, although I don't think he has the passing ability.

[Ian.]

McGinn’s been a fantastic player for us, especially for how much he’s cost. However he is now 27 and probably this is the best he will be, which unfortunately probably isn’t quite good enough for the sort of football we want to play. He slows the game too much.

He might work in another side, a side that soaks up pressure and attacks on the break. A team like Spurs with Conte, or even Brentford.

I reckon unless we appoint Dyche he will be sold this summer.

[Risso]

A 56% pass completion rate for his half an hour on the pitch yesterday, compared to 96% for Dedoncker.