McCleary for England???

[cmonurz]

Lot of decent English wingers in the premiership though, McCleary would have to be playing at a high standard consistently for some time and starting ahead of Kebe week in week out. I'd say that every team in the league has someone ahead of him in the pecking order tbh

I wouldnt agree with that. Look at West Ham, Wigan, Villa, Southampton and West Brom... I cant think any of those sides wingers who I'd rather in my team than Jobi and McCleary. I also think Kebe will really struggle to regain his place

Wouldn't say no to Jarvis, Morrisson or Lallana.

[West Stand Man]

How many genuinely left sided wingers have we had in the past?

Tom Jenkins was, I think, and George Harris too. Recent ones though?

[cmonurz]

Wasn't Salako a lefty?

[pea]

Lot of decent English wingers in the premiership though, McCleary would have to be playing at a high standard consistently for some time and starting ahead of Kebe week in week out. I'd say that every team in the league has someone ahead of him in the pecking order tbh

I wouldnt agree with that. Look at West Ham, Wigan, Villa, Southampton and West Brom... I cant think any of those sides wingers who I'd rather in my team than Jobi and McCleary. I also think Kebe will really struggle to regain his place

Doesn't matter who you'd have in the team, and Jobi is Jamaican. Jarvis, Moses (for now), Albrighton, and Lallana all have been credentials for the role than McCleary as it stands. Only exception is probably West Brom as I don't think Jerome Thomas is any closer than McCleary to a call up!

[Hoop Blah]

Moses has played for Nigeria now so is another one who's not available for England consideration.

I think the point kind of stands that there are plenty of players around who could've been England players (or considered in contention for a call up) if they'd not declared for other nations (James Morrison at West Brom being another example).

As great a couple of appearance as they are, I think it might be a little bit early to be mentioning McCleary as a serious contender for an England call up.

As for Kebe, too right he should be struggling to regain his place. His lack of consistency is going to be a lot harder to accept in the Premier League where giving the ball away and not making the most of the opportunities we do get will be more important than in the Championship.

[marcusopp]

Was going to say the same, Guthrie far more likely to make that jump

Despite all of the usual squabbling, we all seem to agree that our summer signings are excellent, especially considering most of them were free transfers!
Congratulations to the scouting staff and board for getting it all done, and done early enough for these guys to settle in.
Just need a win now and we'll all be "sucking each others dicks" to quote pulp fiction

[winchester_royal]

How many genuinely left sided wingers have we had in the past?

Tom Jenkins was, I think, and George Harris too. Recent ones though?

Bobby Convey shirley?

[RedRum]

As great a couple of appearance as they are, I think it might be a little bit early to be mentioning McCleary as a serious contender for an England call up.

As for Kebe, too right he should be struggling to regain his place. His lack of consistency is going to be a lot harder to accept in the Premier League where giving the ball away and not making the most of the opportunities we do get will be more important than in the Championship.

+1. McCleary has had 1 good sub appearance and a great 40 mins or so at Chelsea. I'm sure he'll continue to perform, but let's not get carried away yet.

I agree about kebe. If McCleary keeps impressing then Kebe will be starting on the bench... But what a great option he would be to bring against tired legs.

[Stooper]

Only once he moves to a more established Prem club

[RockheadRumple]

Only once we become a more established Prem club

[Barry the bird boggler]

it could happen of course, just as if Le Fondre scored a good few he could be linked as well but realistically there's a long way to go yet before there's any chance of it

[Stuboo]

Could happen, in the future, yes. In the next year, highly unlikely.

[WestRoyal]

Think its time to nip this thread in the bud now and let him and the others settle and hopefully thrive in the EPL as its very early days and I know how fickle fans can be. Im sure his only thought right now along with the rest is to establish himself as a good EPL player and do well for us of course

[Ian Royal]

I'll take a straw poll before getting back in my box on that one, imho Kebe's ball control is appalling. He's vastly improved from the player that signed in '06 and a big asset to the team, but he remains as likely to run into a blind corner trying to control the thing as he is to beat his man.

Kebe's ball control is superb. It's his decision making and attempts to do too much that can hold him back.

[GreaterTorontoRoyal]

I'll take a straw poll before getting back in my box on that one, imho Kebe's ball control is appalling. He's vastly improved from the player that signed in '06 and a big asset to the team, but he remains as likely to run into a blind corner trying to control the thing as he is to beat his man.

What about the one signed in '08?
But agree he does lose the ball quite easily some time. He'll do something brilliant and then piss it up two seconds later.