did not work. he was playing against possibly the weakest full back in the league in 'geary and you could see he had the beating of him but far too often he just didn't do it. the one saving grace for him is that Lee seemed to kick it in the air to him most of the time so he had little to work with, so might be given a chance again. back to the bench for him next monday i think
It is very unfair IMO to judge players on a one off performance or a few sub appearances. It hardly allows hem to build up consistency. We should not be too judgemental on players where they are given very bit parts. Sometimes they play exceedingly well in a bit part, but can't hack it continuously. Macca should have played at Arsenal and at Chelsea where the result was a nigh on conclusion and should not have appeared in the starting line up for the game against Sheff utd at home on a bumpy pitch. I would assume man city have a decent pitch and big, Macca should be on the bench and get a run out in the second half - or 30 mins if we are not looking like scoring.
I agree with PYA... i didnt think he was too bad at all considering it was his first taste of premiership action.. when you think that smith has the so called prem experience and was no better.
Well said Paddy! Last night was not a night for Macca to START but was a night for him to come on for last 20 minutes to run at tired defenders! Was always going to be scrappy, tense and nervy so not a night to play someone that can't track back to defend! I also felt he didn't see enough of the ball to have any impact on the game! We were so narrow and deep all night that it gave no support to the wide men and hendo! Harsh to judge on one performance...i felt first half he and Noddy were the only two that looked half good going forward!
Trouble is it's not just one performance. He's had 4yrs to improve and really hasn't. Young and even Boozer have shown the way to go - in fact, Macca was in the team before both of them but his progression has been poor. His defensive capabilities are non-existant and last night he was a waste of space (granted, that means nothing as they all were). My personal opinion is that it's time to say goodbye to Macca. I must admit, I find it odd how so many people seem to have a soft spot for such a bit part player. [That's not a dig, by the way, just an invitation to discuss].
What I meant by one performance was that he hasn't played in the league all season, not even as a sub...so he was probably off the pace of the game and it was too physical for him to play in anyway...was the same scenario of playing him away at Luton last season, he was never going to impose himself on a scruffy physical game!
in the premiership, a lot of games seem to be scrappy and tough now, macca will never shine as a player in England. The modern day premiership has no room for skilful players anymore, with the likes of Chelsea full of workman like holders midfielders but apart from Ronaldo, there is no player i can think of he can do the stuff macca does with a football. We are fooled by sky, there is no skill anymore, just athletic workhorses like lampard. i would like to see Macca move on to a say a spanish second division side, he has had his opportunities. I am afraid he is just another Rod Thomas
What about Routledge and Lennon? I remember when Routledge and Macca both burst onto the scene at the same time and my Palace supporting mate and myself both used to argue all the time about who was better. When Macca got given the ball to his feet he caused them loads of problems. The problem is that we just don't pass the ball to peoples' feet (although amazingly, for once yesterday we actually had a better pass completion rate than the opposition).
yes , he did drift out of the game but when he got the ball he got us going forward. he did cause them problems. bench him for city but give him 20mins to impress. he is tricky to deal with so why not?
Macca needs a different type of play to work effectively. Without balls to his feet, he is always going to struggle. If we are ever going to progress in this division, eventually we are going to have to adapt to more of a passing game. One day, hopefully soon, we will need his style of play. It is way too early to write Macca off.
direct style is good in the championship but not in the premiership. We can still make it difficult and get in peoples faces if we play ball to feet.
Being the size he is, long ball (I mean direct) is not going to work. If we want to get the best out of him, pass it to his feet and let him run at players. I fear lest he is sold or released before we get to seeing passing football back at the Vic.
He played right in front of us for part of the 2nd half and in comparison to Hameur is completely ineffective. When hameur picks the ball up inside the oppos half you feel something is going to happen. Hes direct positive strong and skilful. the few times Macca had the ball we were treated to some fancy stuff then nothing. We missed hameur as much as we missed Ash.
tuesday wasn't a game for Macca as some have said. I like him going forward but he just doesn't get back to help out the full back which is part of a wide mans job - so bottom line is that he will never be good enough, great wingers get back a double up with the full back.
