87 | James McAtee - 2024/25

[Josh_D]

At the EDS level, he was the one that showed the poise and calm in midfield. He knew how to drive forward with the ball as well. Also knew how to find the net. I know, I know, youth football is different but he was a class above for about 2 seasons or so alongside Palmer and a few others.

Players, especially young ones will develop differently but a lack of game time will never let you sharpen your tools. His SHU loan definitely toughened him up for sure. Saw some good pressing that saw City the ball back in preseason.

I agree with slow integration when they are young and still growing. Many young ‘wonderkids’ have been ruined that way especially if they have no luck with injuries or get one major one. Some are never the same. Seen it with a few that have passed through at academy level.

At the end of the day, he’ll do what’s best for himself. If he stays, he has my respect despite the mountain he has to climb. If he leaves, it’s also understandable. I had faith long before Palmer left and had the same towards McAtee. Sometimes, you also just need that luck to find the right team where it clicks for you.

 

[dhruvblue]

At the EDS level, he was the one that showed the poise and calm in midfield. He knew how to drive forward with the ball as well. Also knew how to find the net. I know, I know, youth football is different but he was a class above for about 2 seasons or so alongside Palmer and a few others.

Players, especially young ones will develop differently but a lack of game time will never let you sharpen your tools. His SHU loan definitely toughened him up for sure. Saw some good pressing that saw City the ball back in preseason.

I agree with slow integration when they are young and still growing. Many young ‘wonderkids’ have been ruined that way especially if they have no luck with injuries or get one major one. Some are never the same. Seen it with a few that have passed through at academy level.

At the end of the day, he’ll do what’s best for himself. If he stays, he has my respect despite the mountain he has to climb. If he leaves, it’s also understandable. I had faith long before Palmer left and had the same towards McAtee. Sometimes, you also just need that luck to find the right team where it clicks for you.

There are teams around who will take gamble on youth and play them.Players need chances to play kn pitch and have sustained game time. One match here and there are for 5 mins isn't going to help

 

[Tevez City]

Loan now, let him rise his value and then sell him in the summer because Pep will never trust him.

 

[Josh_D]

There are teams around who will take gamble on youth and play them.Players need chances to play kn pitch and have sustained game time. One match here and there are for 5 mins isn't going to help

Oh, I agree with you. I forgot to add that but after that stage of ‘slow’ integration, more meaningful minutes are needed for sure.

However, if my memory is correct, and I’m paraphrasing here, the gulf in quality between the EDS level and PL is what also makes him reluctant to throw them in the deep end so to speak.

However, if there was ever a team to cushion the blow for young players, it’s at City due to the top pros around them. However, there’s the other side that people won’t be happy as ‘a team of City’s quality shouldn’t be looking to some academy player’. I’ve seen something similar to that statement over the years. So damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.

 

[Bluesince1979]

Nothing ive seen makes me think hes good enough im afraid

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Nothing ive seen makes me think hes good enough im afraid

Because we've basically seen nothing of him.
One or 2 players from the youth set up should be integrated into the panel and need to get meaningful minutes each season, enough to determine if they have a future at or away from the club.

 

[Platt Lane 59]

Because we've basically seen nothing of him.
One or 2 players from the youth set up should be integrated into the panel and need to get meaningful minutes each season, enough to determine if they have a future at or away from the club.

Completely agree.
We are on a bad run, due to crucial injuries.
But, seem ponderous and plodding this season with the ball.
There are a group of teams (BHA, Fulham, Brentford, even Forest) who pass the ball much quicker and take risks.
These teams (together with the vast majority of the so-called too teams) use all their 5 subs, to sustain the quicker type of play.
Pep rarely uses more than 3 subs, which are seldom before 70 minutes of play.
McAtee deserves a chance before we loan/sell him...

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Just give him a chance. What we currently have isn’t work, so why not?

 

[madloaf]

I don't think he's good enough, however, based on managerial and coaching assessments this year I reckon I'm wrong.

 

[Damanino]

to be fair the amount mistakes we see from other players, in terms of lack of drive, speed, tracking back, pressing and doing misplaced passes, losing possession, giving away fouls, what could McAtee do than worse than all of this if we risk him to start one league game?