McNeil

[tiger76]

McNeil was brilliant first half yesterday,took the **** out of Trent time after time.They doubled up on him 2nd half and it won them the Game.Maybe he should have switched wings earlier.But Sean knows best

And this perfectly highlights why we need a decent RW, if we had a threat down both flanks it'd make it a lot harder for the opposition to nullify us, and also probably allow Dwight more freedom to impact the game for a whole 90 minutes, and not just 45.

It's no surprise that both Brighton and Liverpool have identified his danger, and therefore simply doubled up on him, if he's too be really effective in this league he needs help, and the sooner the better.

[Elizabeth]

Watching Saka for Arsenal now and thinking McNeil is every bit as good if not better

[SGr]

Very simple. Had some early promise. Not as good as we thought. One foot. No pace.

I know it’s been a week since this was posted but my word.

[ewanrob]

Watching Saka for Arsenal now and thinking McNeil is every bit as good if not better

Totally agree, if we could get to such riches that Dwight had a roaming role...my god what a watch that would be.

[basil6345789]

Dwight stronger now - not getting knocked-about.

[Papabendi]

Watching Saka for Arsenal now and thinking McNeil is every bit as good if not better

Oh god

[Elizabeth]

And we are going to sign a couple before the end of the window papa

[Lancasterclaret]

Oh god

Is it as hyperbolic as your criticism of McNeil?

No

This board is full of people who adapt a position (for whatever reason) and stick to it regardless.

Its getting tiresome tbh

[Papabendi]

Oh. Sorry about that.

no one in their right mind picks McNeil over Saka. Two lads on different career paths, as is already obvious to see.

[Lancasterclaret]

Oh. Sorry about that.

no one in their right mind picks McNeil over Saka. Two lads on different career paths, as is already obvious to see.

Every pundit/commentator/other managers absolutely rave about McNeil

I think you'll be surprised how good he can be, especially if he either leaves us or we get him some support so that he has more space

[ksrclaret]

Oh. Sorry about that.

no one in their right mind picks McNeil over Saka. Two lads on different career paths, as is already obvious to see.

To be fair, I do agree with you on this bit.


As you’ve said, McNeil had a great game yesterday and Saka was really poor today. No doubt that missed pen at the Euros has had a massive effect on him. A loan to Bournemouth in a year or two in an attempt to rejuvenate his career awaits…

[Papabendi]

Saka is 19 and has already played a tournament for England and also plays for a big club.

McNeil plays in the prem...

[fatboy47]

no one in their right mind picks McNeil over Saka.

I would. And I suspect in 3 years time there'll be no comparison.

Playing a free role in a top four team McNeil would, imo, quickly become the first name on England's team sheet.

[Elizabeth]

Saka is 19 and has already played a tournament for England and also plays for a big club.

McNeil plays in the prem...

Ooh , he plays for a big club. So what ?

[ksrclaret]

Saka is 19 and has already played a tournament for England and also plays for a big club.

McNeil plays in the prem...

Not for much longer, in Saka's case. He'll never recover from that pen miss. McNeil will probably nick his place in due course.

[Lancasterclaret]

I hope Saka recovers from his pen miss

But it was noticeable when he came to the Turf last season that he really struggled when facing a more physical challenge, and he got yellow carded an d possibly could have had a red because we managed to get to him.

I suspect lots of players will try to get to him this year, but I think all this will make him a fantastic player

Be nice if him and Dwight were in the same England team

[BurnleyFC]

Saka is nowhere near the level he is getting hyped up as.

He had a bit of a decent cameo in one game in the Euros but was dross after that. The very epitome of his club.

The fact that he was Arsenal’s best player last year is somewhat of a moot point seeing how dreadful they were and evidently still are.

[GodIsADeeJay81]

Dwight is due on Talksport at some point on the Jim White show this morning

[Socrates]

Imagine if Dwight was able to pick the ball up 30 yards higher up the pitch with runners and options and didn’t have 65-70% of a team to get past?

Given that a lot of the time he picks the ball up 15 yards inside our half, given that he is frequently doubled up on, given that he has very little movement ahead of him and given his age ….. his stats and performances are a minor miracle.

[Indecisive]

I think McNeil will become an England regular.

It’s not guaranteed, but as others have alluded to, the levels he is reaching now with the restrictions of the team he’s in suggests, afforded more space and support, you will see a jump up in terms of output.

I’d like to see him become an England regular whilst still in a Burnley shirt, but shy of us investing significantly in 4 or 5 high quality first teamers... I can’t see that happening.

[ecc]

Hi Socrates,

I hope your health is much better. I would like to think so given your regular posts.

I think you're spot on below re. Dwight.

"Imagine if Dwight was able to pick the ball up 30 yards higher up the pitch with runners and options and didn’t have 65-70% of a team to get past?

Given that a lot of the time he picks the ball up 15 yards inside our half, given that he is frequently doubled up on, given that he has very little movement ahead of him and given his age ….. his stats and performances are a minor miracle."

He'd have more energy to maximise his ability if he received the ball much closer to the opponents' box.