87 | James McAtee - 2024/25

[silvasdreamyfringe]

Really poor forgot he was playing most of the first half, one nice cross field ball to grealish all game otherwise literally contributed nothing

 

[clarion]

To me it looks like he lost the motivation. If you add the wrong position he is playing you end up with underperforming.

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

He got another chance and he didn't take it.

Far from City quality, I'm beginning to question if he's EPL quality.

He could have a career in the Bundesliga.

 

[ninjamonkey]

I don’t think he played well, but I also don’t see how he can get involved more playing in that position when Orient have 11 men behind the ball. Unless he starts dropping deep (which Pep wouldn’t want him to do) there’s absolutely no space in the centre of the park for him to move into. Where do people think he’s supposed to go?

I do think you have a fair point there. Theres a bit of a haaland-lite situation in that he cant do much without the supply.

The tactics pep has us playing certainly dont help, forward passes are a second thought for the majority of our side which makes his position a lot harder to play in. I did see him make some really good forward runs off the ball that were completely ignored too but he's just got to get himself involved more somehow.

 

[FromPollockToSilva]

He’s not quite the type of player I thought he was, which to be fair is at least partially down to my own ignorance

I thought he was a midfielder that liked to get on the ball, play intricate passes, could handle himself in tight spaces

What I’ve seen this year is that he’s much happier as a player arriving in the box and being decisive rather than controlling the game from deep. Not sure if he really play that way all too often, unfortunately for him

 

[kismet]

it was difficult the way Orient played but somehow I don't see him being an elite player. a squad man at best but don't think he will be happy with that

 

[WallyA]

To me it looks like he lost the motivation. If you add the wrong position he is playing you end up with underperforming.

Where else would you have him play?

Pep played him in the 10 spot.

Most on here, McAtee himself, would probably say that's his best spot.

I'm not buying the argument from others that the position is to blame, what a cop out.

He can drop, and get more involved, he isn't the striker.

We saw KdB do this for years as the 10, often in RB spots, Whoever plays in the 10 needs to be smart enough to find the spaces they can.

 

[clarion]

Where else would you have him play?

Pep played him in the 10 spot.

Most on here, McAtee himself, would probably say that's his best spot.

I'm not buying the argument from others that the position is to blame, what a cop out.

He can drop, and get more involved, he isn't the striker.

We saw KdB do this for years as the 10, often in RB spots, Whoever plays in the 10 needs to be smart enough to find the spaces they can.

I think he needs to be more involved in build up. He gets lazy if not.
I would play him in 3 man midfield.

 

[WallyA]

I think he needs to be more involved in build up. He gets lazy if not.
I would play him in 3 man midfield.

He is technically a midfielder as a 10.

He is allowed to drop to play with the deeper 2.

He just chose to stay high most of time, perhaps because he doesn't back himself in the build up enough, his passing has been sloppy these last few months.

And he lacks creativity in his passing as well.

I'm just not buying this excuse.

I like McAtee and want him to succeed, but it won't be handed to him.

He is gonna have to show some desire that he belongs, and right now, it looks like the new kid from Argentina might displace him in a month or two.

 

[Keeper!]

Shockingly poor, the lad has so much technic but it appears the heart and desire of a mouse.

 

[Mr Grumpy]

Did nothing for his cause and only served to prove Pep right.

 

[Haaland94]

A bit like O'Reilly, didn't really look the part. He will have a good career in the PL, I just don't think it will happen with us, and I really like him. I can't see either of them ever starting for us on a regular basis.

 

[southamptonblue]

.....and people wonder why he doesn't get minutes, with half the squad injured, and the other half not performing. Any young kid going to a game, would think "invisible man" was his song.

 

[madloaf]

Not good enough. Would be the out the door in the summer if it was up to me

 

[itisrising]

Just totally unable to asset himself in senior football - had the same issue at Sheffield United.

 

[Pedestrian]

Looks like a kid playing with men.

 

[southamptonblue]

Not good enough. Would be the out the door in the summer if it was up to me

A year, at least, over due.

 

[Sir peace frog]

needs to up his game, i don't think he was that good v salford but you look a bit silly saying that when he scores a hattrick :) , hes obviously a good player but definitely needs to improve

 

[southamptonblue]

needs to up his game, i don't think he was that good v salford but you look a bit silly saying that when he scores a hattrick :) , hes obviously a good player but definitely needs to improve

Not at all silly.....until we were 4/5 up, no one knew he was playing, he probably didn't get subbed because Pep didn't notice he was still on the pitch, until he scored ;)

 

[Blue_Lightsaber]

Just totally unable to asset himself in senior football - had the same issue at Sheffield United.

I'm no expert but when I watched Sheffield United a few times.. the guy that truly stood out was Ollie McBurnie?? I think that was his name.