John McGinn

[MarkoP]

Thought I’d start a thread as his performances have definitely dropped a level in the last year. He’s still an important part of the squad but his match day contributions seem to have dwindled to the guy who wins useful free kicks.

I don’t see mazy runs, killer  passes or match changing goals anymore 

Whats happened?

Edited September 9 by MarkoP

[JS_FFC]

8 minutes ago, MarkoP said:

Thought I’d start a thread as his performances have definitely dropped a level in the last year. He’s still an important part of the squad but his match day contributions seem to have dwindled to the guy who wins useful free kicks.

I don’t see mazy runs, killer  passes or match changing goals anymore 

Whats happened?

McGinn is typically playing on the left wing for Scotland. Same as his Villa position. IMHO the issue is Hickey being out basically absolves the opposition from having to be paying any attention to our right hand side at all and they can afford to double up on both Robertson and McGinn. 

Edited September 9 by JS_FFC

[Jives Miguel]

I agree he has been off the boil, but some of the vitriol on the match threads on Thursday and last night last night was embarrassing. 

Not sure why is getting scapegoated. 

[accies1874]

I could probably count on one hand the number of good performances he's had since and including June 2022, but, to be fair to him, I'd say that three of them have come in the past four games. 

[Richey Edwards]

31 minutes ago, MarkoP said:

 Whats happened?

Age catches up with people.

[Butters Scotch]

 

44 minutes ago, JS_FFC said:

McGinn is typically playing on the left wing for Scotland. Same as his Villa position. IMHO the issue is Hickey being out basically absolves the opposition from having to be paying any attention to our right hand side at all and they can afford to double up on both Robertson and McGinn. 

He's usually on the right hand side so he can cut in on his left foot barring the odd game.

[ahemps]

I think like the team McGinn could be doing with a refresh. Either he gets dropped and is used as a sub or he moves position. My preference is he would have been dropped deeper with McGregor retiring and freeing his wide position up for someone like Doak/Gauld/Christie or Morgan.

My midfield 3 would be Gilmour, McTominay and McGinn. I think Gilmour naturally sits deeper and McGinn and McTominay have the experience to take turns at driving forward and sitting while the other goes. This would free up the 2 wider spaces for more natural wide attacking players and gives us a newish look to the  team.

[Butters Scotch]

McGinn has always been a bit limited, not the best shot taker, passer, dribbler, rash in the tackle etc so harsh to criticise the guy for any drop off in performances as I don't think he is far off his peak level currently.

However, If you take McGinn out of this team then you would definitely lose something in our attacking player and team overall. Wins a lot of free kicks up the pitch, one of the few players that gets us up the pitch, can bully opponents and create attacking opportunities. Off the ball he works hard, gets about the pitch well and I don't think we have any other player like him that can replace his quality.

[Jives Miguel]

I think he could do with a rest. He plays 90 near enough every game for us and Villa for the past 5 years. Must be shattered 

[exasperated spider]

I think he's still worth his place. He wins fouls that should never be given by sticking his backside into people who then have to try and keep their balance, and look like they're fouling him. To be honest I'd also make him captain. Robertson looks wired to the moon when he plays for Scotland, and it affects his game.

 

[immcinto]

The main, some might say the only, tactic is to kick the ball into the opponent's half and win a set-piece. I think McGinn is just following orders.

[Fletchers Saucy Manbun]

Maybe time and age for a different role. Just not effective any more.

[DukDukGoose]

1 hour ago, ahemps said:

I think like the team McGinn could be doing with a refresh. Either he gets dropped and is used as a sub or he moves position. My preference is he would have been dropped deeper with McGregor retiring and freeing his wide position up for someone like Doak/Gauld/Christie or Morgan.

My midfield 3 would be Gilmour, McTominay and McGinn. I think Gilmour naturally sits deeper and McGinn and McTominay have the experience to take turns at driving forward and sitting while the other goes. This would free up the 2 wider spaces for more natural wide attacking players and gives us a newish look to the  team.

When he's fit, it has to be Fergie time.

[bobbydazzler]

been anonymous past 18 months. could still do a job 100% but not in the role Clarke likes to play him in.

[kennie makevin]

Has his head turned at the Euros and now dreams of being 3rd Flugelhorn in a traveling Bavarian Oompah Band. Bound to affect his form.

[MarkoRaj]

Thought he did well against Poland in holding and supporting and against Portugal he was less effective with the ball but really good in defence. Barely anything came down his side which is testament to how good he and Robertson were.

I think the important thing for me is that he's not undroppable or unsubbable. There have to now be occasions where we look to use Doak or Gauld and be more creative.

[Melanius Mullarkey]

I reckon his arse has gone woke. 

[craigkillie]

I think he's a classic victim of playing a bit above himself for a little while, particularly in terms of goalscoring, and then people having massive expectations about the type of player he actually is. That and people just eventually getting fed up of players and constantly wanting change even when it's not needed, something that Robertson also suffers from at times.

For example, I thought he was really good against Poland and then I got home from Hampden and the match thread was full of folk claiming he was shite.

[accies1874]

13 minutes ago, craigkillie said:

I think he's a classic victim of playing a bit above himself for a little while, particularly in terms of goalscoring, and then people having massive expectations about the type of player he actually is. That and people just eventually getting fed up of players and constantly wanting change even when it's not needed, something that Robertson also suffers from at times.

For example, I thought he was really good against Poland and then I got home from Hampden and the match thread was full of folk claiming he was shite.

Scotland match threads are full of the worst takes going tbf.

[Lurkst]

1 hour ago, craigkillie said:

For example, I thought he was really good against Poland and then I got home from Hampden and the match thread was full of folk claiming he was shite.

I thought he had a decent game too but undid the good work in injury time.