87 | James McAtee - 2024/25

It's strange because Pep adores him. But he doesn't seem to trust him to make a significant impact on games.

He's in a bit of limbo. Pep needs to make a decision really. He can't keep praising him in interviews but then not following up with minutes. He either deserves them or he doesn't.

Hope we see more of him. He has a knack for scoring goals which is like gold dust for a midfielder.
 
skillman said:
It's strange because Pep adores him. But he doesn't seem to trust him to make a significant impact on games.

He's in a bit of limbo. Pep needs to make a decision really. He can't keep praising him in interviews but then not following up with minutes. He either deserves them or he doesn't.

Hope we see more of him. He has a knack for scoring goals which is like gold dust for a midfielder.
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One thing we know about Pep is that he doesn't take chances.

With Rodri out he's probably been more cautious than normal at the season start, especially as we've had, statistically a harder start than all but a couple of teams.

We also don't know how the new CL will pan out either, so, where McAtee might have been guaranteed to play all the easier CL games, Pep may be more careful there too.

Hopefully in both cases the team starts putting together a bit more form, and McAtee can be eased in.
 
ninjamonkey said:
Usual predictable comments about players leaving because they're not starting i see.

Mcatee literally said he wanted to stay here this season even if he's not playing, you cannot get any clearer indication of his mindset than him saying it outright yet we are still seeing comments suggesting otherwise.
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Because that sentiment will only last so long.
 
ninjamonkey said:
Usual predictable comments about players leaving because they're not starting i see.

Mcatee literally said he wanted to stay here this season even if he's not playing, you cannot get any clearer indication of his mindset than him saying it outright
yet we are still seeing comments suggesting otherwise.

He knows another loan isn't going to get him closer to playing regularly for us. He needs to be here, showing up in training every day and if his chance comes, take it, if it doesn't, (and hes accepted its more likely it wont this season) he'll bide his time as he's seen Lewis and Bobb do exactly that and now find themselves a core part of the squad.

There's no worries about rushing him into the side.

In my opinion he could have some involvement in the next 3 games if Pep see's the chance to rotate is there and doesn't feel the need to go all put in games we're overwhelming favourites.
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Maybe he will start tonight, but there’s only so long he will sit on the bench before he wants more game time. Lewis is starting games, bobb had the odd appearance. If they weren’t playing I’d bet they would want a loan as well.

For me playing games is where he’ll develop. There’s only so much you can do through training in my view. You can see that with Delap, Palmer and Rogers - they just needed consistent game time.

I’m not saying he should be starting every game, but barely playing at all after so long isn’t going to do him any good. We’re disappointed if he doesn’t play well, after not playing for a month
 
lets be honest he wont start unless we have lower league cup opponents or these more obscure CL opponents like champions of very weak leagues like Bratislava, Brugge, Sparta Praha.
in Carabao we got Watford, and he started, but next round already a hard Spurs away draw so there is that.

the fact he aint trusted much in PL even vs the lesser sides says a lot.
One PL appearance this season in 8 rounds, came on already after 90 mins replacing Haaland when it was 3-1 since the 16 mins.
he is 22 yo, not like some raw 17 year old. there are raw 17, 18, 19 yo players currently in PL getting game time. he played above 1800 PL mins at Sheffield (20 starts, mostly subbed off, but also 10 apps as sub coming on, so featured in 30 of their PL games) in horrible team last season. to go from that to hardly any minutes, dont think thats great development for a young player. Pep wanted to keep him he mentioned it specifically, but those PL minutes will be brutally rare for him. if he doesnt get a look in for Ipswich, Soton, Bournemouth, Brentford home games, no chance he will vs Brighton, Spurs, dippers, rags, Villa, Palace etc...

dont think I am far off if I say he may start tonight, then next game is the Feyenoord (mid Dec) or Brugge(end of Jan) or the FA cup first round where we likely get an easy opponent from Championship or League One or League Two or they heat the balls and Chelsea or Barcodes away.
 
clarion said:
The same was with Cole.
He invested every min in Alvarez instead of him. Even as winger.

Feel sorry for James. I hope it changes very soon.
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If it doesn’t change then we will lose him and potentially lose alot of money as he is a very good player and will do a great job for someone else . The problem is pep and his friendship with gundo and thus means gundo will play every game untill he breaks down with injury well that’s what see anyway as why else are we playing someone who us so out of form it’s laughable . Pep is probably the greatest manager ever but he is making a mistake here .
 
Paul1970 said:
If it doesn’t change then we will lose him and potentially lose alot of money as he is a very good player and will do a great job for someone else . The problem is pep and his friendship with gundo and thus means gundo will play every game untill he breaks down with injury well that’s what see anyway as why else are we playing someone who us so out of form it’s laughable . Pep is probably the greatest manager ever but he is making a mistake here .
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McAtee and Gundogan aren't fighting for game time.
 
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