John McGinn

[London Villan]

He has an energy that no-one else has. But technically we have gone up a level. He’ll be glad of rest.

[Astnor]

His been in the staring 11 the whole season so far for a reason. his injury is a loss to us but yeah might not that big as we have ones to step in to do a good enough job. I would still prefer him before Bailey at RM/RW in most games.

[rob_bridge]

Whether we have a replacement or alternative formation to compensate he looked like he needed a rest since late last season. He was awful for Scotland in Euros and by his standards less than sparkling this season.

Maybe come back after international break without playing is what he needs. Look at Palmer today for example.

[Footy-Vill]

22/23 Ginny had a hamstring strain   he missed 6 games was out for 34 days injured.

Maybe this time see him miss Ipswich, Bayern and be 14 days for Man Utd match so maybe make that or looking next game after international break away at Fulham.

[Footy-Vill]

22/23 Ginny had a hamstring strain   he missed 6 games was out for 34 days injured.

Maybe this time see him miss Ipswich, Bayern and be 14 days for Man Utd match so maybe make that or looking next game after international break away at Fulham.

As suspected!
And now Confirmed by El Maestro!
Ginny is back !

[Archbishop Herbert Cockthrottle]

Virginia Wade?

[Percy McCarthy]

This isn't about pandering to rich clubs and any loss of revenue that comes from reducing the number of games would need to be offset with better redistribution of wealth down the pyramid but, for me, what it would do is improve the quality of games and improve player welfare. I know it's easy to see footballers as pampered millionaires who only do a few hours a day in training but in comparison to most other sports they are massively overloaded (I have the same concern for Cricket by the way).

I think it is about pandering to rich clubs.  They want to have their cake and eat it.  They want the summer tours, the expanded Champions League, the club world cup etc.  They could have pushed against the increased CL if they'd really wanted to, rejected the idea of the club world cup if they really wanted to.  But they'd rather squeeze domestic fixtures because they make less money.

Apparently there was no consultation about the club World Cup.

[Footy-Vill]

Say it quietly, but he isn’t one of our best four midfielders anymore.

He isn’t one of our best four midfielders anymore.

Beat me to it.

Good insight and well called out there by posters.

This is why we are progressing when Emery not afraid to call out his captain

McGinn said:
"He’s [Emery] so intense, "He called me in and said ‘you were very poor against Wolves, you need to improve when you're back or you'll be out'. I thought he was having a nice chat with me!"

I believe that's fantastic Emery being so demanding, and Ginny should learn to recognise this 'intensity' since it's necessary at the elite level. The Steves Clarke, Gerrard and Bruce would probably not do this to McGinn since his basic work rate is always there, but Emery is next level at the end of the day.

[OCD]

He's not been at his best but I think at some point, he'll get back to his best.

[Risso]

He's not been at his best but I think at some point, he'll get back to his best.

I think the point is, or might be, is that even at his best, he's not one of our best midfielders. Which is good, because it means we've improved as a team, and is how it should be. It's not saying he's rubbish or anything.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

Strongly disagree. On his day there's no one better. His non-stop battling drives the whole team forward, it's a dirty job that without him we can look a bit pedestrian. Playing him in the middle where he can influence the game is his real strength, out wide we're only seeing 50% of his capability. I'm glad we've increased the numbers in midfield as SJM has played too much football without a proper rest over these last few years.

Hopefully we'll see soon Tielemans further forward at some point where he can be lethal though credit where it's due, he's adapted brilliantly to the deeper role. He's the only midfielder I'd put ahead of McGinn who has sacrificed himself for the benefit of the team.

[Risso]

He's a very good player, but Kamara is a better defensive midfielder, Tielemans is a better attacking midfielder, and Bailey is a better wide midfielder. At his best, McGinn has got a lot of strengths like the ability to drive forwards and retain possession, but with everybody at their best, I can't see where he gets in the team. And McGinn has been miles off his best.

[LeeB]

Strongly disagree. On his day there's no one better. His non-stop battling drives the whole team forward, it's a dirty job that without him we can look a bit pedestrian. Playing him in the middle where he can influence the game is his real strength, out wide we're only seeing 50% of his capability. I'm glad we've increased the numbers in midfield as SJM has played too much football without a proper rest over these last few years.

Hopefully we'll see soon Tielemans further forward at some point where he can be lethal though credit where it's due, he's adapted brilliantly to the deeper role. He's the only midfielder I'd put ahead of McGinn who has sacrificed himself for the benefit of the team.

Fully agree mate, and I'd also argue some of his best displays have been against the best sides, he can make very good players look like divs.

[Smithy]

He's a very good player, but Kamara is a better defensive midfielder, Tielemans is a better attacking midfielder, and Bailey is a better wide midfielder. At his best, McGinn has got a lot of strengths like the ability to drive forwards and retain possession, but with everybody at their best, I can't see where he gets in the team. And McGinn has been miles off his best.

I agree with most of this.  When he signed, my Hibs supporting mate sent me a message (probably still on this thread near the beginning) basically saying he won't be the best goal-scoring midfielder in the league, or the best chance creator, or set piece taker, or defensive midfielder, but he'll likely be the best at being able to do all of those things when needed.  And I think that's where we are now.  We have very good specialists in all positions who are better than SJM at their respective 'jobs', but when it comes to a midfielder who can do all of those things to a competent standard, he's probably the best we have - which is invaluable in today's squad game. 

He might no longer be an automatic first-choice, but he'll still play plenty (for the next year or so at least).

[DrGonzo]

He dropped a cryptic "next two and a half years" comment in his post match interview.  Is that the length of his contract or a relistic expectation of how long he can perform at this level?
He's a fantastic asset, his ability to break up play and hold the ball with his ass to goal isn't betterd by anyone else at the club.  His attitude and energy are missed when he's unavailable, the UTD bore draw being a case in point.  That's the sort of game that he would have been smashing into tackles and screaming at his team.