87 | James McAtee - 2024/25

[oldius]

For several seasons, I asked for more academy players to be integrated into the first-team. The general response was that we could not do that AND keep achieving the level of success that we were achieving. I didn't believe that then, nor now.

Now we are not winning, there is a clamour for academy players to be integrated, and examples of ex-academy players now doing good things (with unsuccessful clubs) are being used by the media and members of this forum to criticise Pep and the board.

I haven't changed my stance: the integration of the best academy players into the first-team gives me great pleasure. I also think that it is good for the sustained success of the club.

I hope James McAtee is a deserved beneficiary of such a policy. IMO, he deserves it. He was one of the academy's best talents and did what we asked of him. He is now back, wants to claim his spot, and was a bright spark in our last match, deserving of keeping his place. I remain convinced that one academy starter in every game, surrounded by ten top-class professionals, would not be to the team's detriment. Only the best would be chosen, with others on the bench ready to take part in won games, and cup competitions.

 

[TheBlueCat]

Praise the Gods that you were not in charge of our transfer policy in the last ten years, given Bernardo is about five foot two, and the magical Merlin not much bigger, and both have been amongst the greatest midfielders we have ever had.

 

[jamesha]

For several seasons, I asked for more academy players to be integrated into the first-team. The general response was that we could not do that AND keep achieving the level of success that we were achieving. I didn't believe that then, nor now.

Now we are not winning, there is a clamour for academy players to be integrated, and examples of ex-academy players now doing good things (with unsuccessful clubs) are being used by the media and members of this forum to criticise Pep and the board.

I haven't changed my stance: the integration of the best academy players into the first-team gives me great pleasure. I also think that it is good for the sustained success of the club.

I hope James McAtee is a deserved beneficiary of such a policy. IMO, he deserves it. He was one of the academy's best talents and did what we asked of him. He is now back, wants to claim his spot, and was a bright spark in our last match, deserving of keeping his place. I remain convinced that one academy starter in every game, surrounded by ten top-class professionals, would not be to the team's detriment. Only the best would be chosen, with others on the bench ready to take part in won games, and cup competitions.

I think Pep could and should have introduced a policy that one academy graduate would be on the bench and be the preferred sub in games where City were comfortably ahead. It was frustrating to see him bring on established players in those circumstances in previous seasons. If this was the accepted practice then maybe more senior players would have been ok with it and a couple more of the young lads might have made the leap to the first team. If Lavia had seen a pathway to the first team and Palmer had more minutes in his best position then they might still be here.

 

[sir baconface]

Fans aren't going to revolt against Pep over James fucking McAtee.

People treating him as the second coming because of one turn against Leicester, like those who constantly use a single game against Forest as proof Grealish not being played in the middle has been a waste all of these years.

Nobody’s heralded him as anything like the second coming, nor have they suggested pitchforking Pep. However loads had been calling for “James fucking McAtee” to stop being ignored and were pleased he rose to the occasion on the day. They see him as an option to be tried more.

Shame you didn’t draw any encouragement yourself instead of dissembling in dickish fashion.

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

I think Pep could and should have introduced a policy that one academy graduate would be on the bench and be the preferred sub in games where City were comfortably ahead. It was frustrating to see him bring on established players in those circumstances in previous seasons. If this was the accepted practice then maybe more senior players would have been ok with it and a couple more of the young lads might have made the leap to the first team. If Lavia had seen a pathway to the first team and Palmer had more minutes in his best position then they might still be here.

Loan for Lavia would have been great. (they wanted him to play week in, week out). Shame. oh well.

 

[RegisteredToSeePhotos]

Nobody’s heralded him as anything like the second coming, nor have they suggested pitchforking Pep. However loads had been calling for “James fucking McAtee” to stop being ignored and were pleased he rose to the occasion on the day. They see him as an option to be tried more.

Shame you didn’t draw any encouragement yourself instead of dissembling in dickish fashion.

I don't draw much encouragement, no from a guy who's done one single good thing this season after a completely forgettable one last year at a Sheffield United that stunk the league out.

He's done nothing to warrant being given the starts that people have been calling for him to have all season long and it's not "dickish" to point that out.

People will just move the goalposts again if he is given starts, he/the team continues to be shite under the "he's only young/he needs time" excuses but then that's no surprise considering the way people still infantilase nearly 25 year old Phil Foden.

 

[jamesha]

I don't draw much encouragement, no from a guy who's done one single good thing this season after a completely forgettable one last year at a Sheffield United that stunk the league out.

He's done nothing to warrant being given the starts that people have been calling for him to have all season long and it's not "dickish" to point that out.

People will just move the goalposts again if he is given starts, he/the team continues to be shite under the "he's only young/he needs time" excuses but then that's no surprise considering the way people still infantilase nearly 25 year old Phil Foden.

I understand your point of view but he has not been given any significant time in the league to show what he can do. I don't think he is ready to start but think he is ready for meaningful minutes as a sub particularly when the established players run out of steam. I also think that you are being a bit too negative about his time at Sheffield United last season. They struggled badly but he did show flashes of ability and also commitment.
I hope he stays at City for the rest of the season and gets some chances to show what he can do as he did against Leicester.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

I don't draw much encouragement, no from a guy who's done one single good thing this season after a completely forgettable one last year at a Sheffield United that stunk the league out.

He's done nothing to warrant being given the starts that people have been calling for him to have all season long and it's not "dickish" to point that out.

People will just move the goalposts again if he is given starts, he/the team continues to be shite under the "he's only young/he needs time" excuses but then that's no surprise considering the way people still infantilase nearly 25 year old Phil Foden.

Neither has most of the team who’ve been terrible this season. How’s he meant to prove himself or do anything if he’s not given a chance?

Is it his fault Sheffield United were terrible? Do all loan moves have to work 100% for youngsters to get a chance?

Sounds like you want young players to be ready made/ world class instantly. Our own 50/60m aren’t even doing that.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

The problem has been our relentless success, ironically. If you have to do your best to win every competition, any player needs to earn their keep - they need to be proven to be world class before they get a run in the team (with the very odd exception - Zinchenko, Lewis etc - who play as a consequence of having a very small squad).

This is especially true of attackers. But in fact, the time to introduce young academy players would have been the last few years when the team was doing well, not now when it is imploding.

Proven to be world class? I wouldn’t call Doku, Nunes, Savinho, Lewis, and others world class. No team has 11 world class players.

So we should have introduced young players when we were good, but we can’t now when the team is out of form?. If there good enough you introduce them and give them a chance. A few we’ve sold are more talented than what we currently have.

We have one of the top young players in the country. Mcatee isn’t going to make us weaker - it’s like some fans are so scared of playing a youngster - he’s 22 btw! Even when our senior players are so out of form

 

[Paul1970]

I don't draw much encouragement, no from a guy who's done one single good thing this season after a completely forgettable one last year at a Sheffield United that stunk the league out.

He's done nothing to warrant being given the starts that people have been calling for him to have all season long and it's not "dickish" to point that out.

People will just move the goalposts again if he is given starts, he/the team continues to be shite under the "he's only young/he needs time" excuses but then that's no surprise considering the way people still infantilase nearly 25 year old Phil Foden.

So I take it your pleased with what gundo foden kdb silva Walker Lewis gvadiol grealish. Have bed. Producing this season . We are in the shit because the older established stars have fallen if a cliff and if we carry on like we ars with them then we are in fucking big trouble .