John McGinn

[Villa Lew]

Great news, love the bloke, we've still got McGinn SJM.

[LukeJames]

Nice one SJM!

What a job Emery has done here, as to think that just a few months ago alot of us would have been happy to see him and Dougie leave (I include myself in that).

[Matt C]

Great news. What a 12 months he’s had.

[LeeB]

Before Emery came in I was starting to come to the melancholy conclusion that he'd gone as far as he could with us. As with so many, however, it turns out this was not actually his fault, that maybe having an actual coach helps bring out the best in players. His performance against Newcastle was the best performance I've ever seen from a player's arse.

Agree with all that as well as poor in all these areas.
Fitness levels
Ball retention
Failed Hollywood passes
Playing RB when Cash went forward  - WTF was that all about?

As for the game against the Geordies, Dan Burn must still be having therapy - SJM Tortured him so much in that game he should of been sent off for bullying

I do think though the supposed lack of fitness and ball rentention you mention are also the product of poor management, lack of defined structure in the team means running when and where you shouldn't be and trying to make things happen because you're getting overrun by teams and players that have proper coaches.

[Rotterdam]

Well done to all concerned, especially SJM.

[astonvilla82]

Thought he would be one of them midfielders who would be running around a lot and stopping opposition players from imposing themselves, but what a fantastic improvement on the pitch, for Scotland twice he passed the ball which led to goals where before he would have belted at goal,apart from that he down to earth and honest and not up his big arse,the type of player the fans can take too

[Brazilian Villain]

This had never occurred to me.
https://twitter.com/gazswain/status/1672161363030933504?t=SPpRJIfUpfst7AyDRDo_KA&s=19

Nor me, nice one.

As an aside, every time I see Gary Swain's name on Twitter I momentarily think that he was a full back on our European Cup winning team.

[Taylor]

Chups.

[dekko]

Chups.

[darren woolley]

I'm so pleased he's signed a new contract.

[Behind Bluenose Lines]

Isn't it brilliant? I just knew decent coaching would give us our Meatball back!

[Villa Lew]

SJM was playing in The Scottish Open Pro Am today at North Berwick, looking at his swing, don't think he'll be taking golf up in a future career!

[VillaTim]

SJM was playing in The Scottish Open Pro Am today at North Berwick, looking at his swing, don't think he'll be taking golf up in a future career!

Good we need him in our midfield , can't have the LIV tour poaching him

[Footy-Vill]

I believe that if Mings and Pau start  we can afford to play without Kamara and Luiz as double pivot in certain matches as Pau would be a kinda inverted full back that assists the midfield and control. So he can step into midfield, giving Tielemans the game start ahead of potentially Kamara and allowing Luiz , or Youri and McGinn to push forward. Of the midfielders, Luiz has been the most proficient as a scorer and goal threat since Emery took over but I believe we are all hoping for McGinn to add goals this season to continue his fantastic growth under Emery.

I very hopeful of captain McGinn being able to assist and score a lot more.

[Mister E]

I believe that if Mings and Pau start  we can afford to play without Kamara and Luiz as double pivot in certain matches as Pau would be a kinda inverted full back that assists the midfield and control. So he can step into midfield, giving Tielemans the game start ahead of potentially Kamara and allowing Luiz , or Youri and McGinn to push forward. Of the midfielders, Luiz has been the most proficient as a scorer and goal threat since Emery took over but I believe we are all hoping for McGinn to add goals this season to continue his fantastic growth under Emery.

I very hopeful of captain McGinn being able to assist and score a lot more.

Pau Torres is unlikely to be the inverted fullback, though, is he? More likely it'll be Cash as the midfield-fullback; or Moreno, with Chambers or Konsa at right fullback.
However, your point is that with 3 centre backs when we are in possession the double pivot may not always need to be an option.