Luke McNally

[PremierLeagueClass]

After a promising start, McNally is receiving a lot of criticism from Stoke fans. They seem to think he has regressed.

[Vegas Claret]

he was very poor for the first Birmingham goal last time out

[jdrobbo]

The best thing for McNally would have been to stay at Cov, where he was developing, valued by the fans and had consistency in a play-off threatening team under Mark Robins.

[ClaretTony]

The best thing for McNally would have been to stay at Cov, where he was developing, valued by the fans and had consistency in a play-off threatening team under Mark Robins.

He couldn’t stay at Coventry

[Kilson810]

Not ideal if true as I did expect him to play a part for us next season.

[elwaclaret]

Not ideal if true as I did expect him to play a part for us next season.

Not ideal, but a good test of his character.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I watched him a couple of times this season, he’s found his level. Mid table championship defender.

Good in the air IMO but slow and generally is just ok on the ball.

[Kilson810]

Not ideal, but a good test of his character.

Yes, let's hope he comes through it a better player! Still only 24 so there is time for him to develop

[ClaretTony]

I watched him a couple of times this season, he’s found his level. Mid table championship defender.

Good in the air IMO but slow and generally is just ok on the ball.

I thought he did really well in the cup at Bournemouth last season but even though THB was injured in that game we still shifted him out on loan and brought others in.

I suspect it’s likely that he doesn’t really have a future here.

[Newcastleclaret93]

I thought he did really well in the cup at Bournemouth last season but even though THB was injured in that game we still shifted him out on loan and brought others in.

I suspect it’s likely that he doesn’t really have a future here.

Yep I suspect you’re right. Not with our clubs aspirations.

I would keep him as backup next year just because it saves us spending money on someone

[ksrclaret]

One of a collection of players whose signing to the club has not made much sense.

[claptrappers_union]

I suspect Mcnally, Twine and Egan-Riley were not Kompany signings

[Silkyskills1]

If you consider him a mid table championship defender why would you want to keep him as back up? Seems like you write the first thing that comes into your head.

[NewClaret]

He couldn’t stay at Coventry

How come Tony? Have I missed something?

[NewClaret]

I suspect Mcnally, Twine and Egan-Riley were not Kompany signings

Pretty sure Kompany was involved with proceedings before we went down so I’d be shocked if he weren’t consulted.

[NewClaret]

Can’t imagine it’s helping him to be playing in a terrible Stoke side. To an extent you’re only as good as what’s in front of you.

Character building, great experience and hopefully a dip in form (that all young players go through) on someone else’s watch!

[clarethomer]

One of a collection of players whose signing to the club has not made much sense.

Unless you genuinely expected to be 2-3 years in the championship when you were trying to rebuild a squad from the ground up then some do.

We, as a club, have simply progressed probably quicker than expected out of the championship which has brought forward a different level of player that is needed for those who had longer development periods.

Could be why we haven't had buy options on the loans out?

[Newcastleclaret93]

If you consider him a mid table championship defender why would you want to keep him as back up? Seems like you write the first thing that comes into your head.

Because we don’t need a top of the league CB quality as a back up???? I thought was fairly self explanatory

[ksrclaret]

Unless you genuinely expected to be 2-3 years in the championship when you were trying to rebuild a squad from the ground up then some do.

We, as a club, have simply progressed probably quicker than expected out of the championship which has brought forward a different level of player that is needed for those who had longer development periods.

Could be why we haven't had buy options on the loans out?

Could be, just with McNally we never seemed likely to give him minutes even when in the Championship.

[ClaretTony]

How come Tony? Have I missed something?

It was a loan until the end of the season after which he automatically returned to us

[NewClaret]

It was a loan until the end of the season after which he automatically returned to us

Oh sorry, I thought you meant he couldn’t return for a second loan.

[Vegas Claret]

I suspect Mcnally, Twine and Egan-Riley were not Kompany signings

Do you honestly think Kompany would be with us if he didn't approve all the signings ?

[jdrobbo]

He couldn’t stay at Coventry

Cheers Tony. Didn’t realise that.

[claptrappers_union]

Do you honestly think Kompany would be with us if he didn't approve all the signings?

Clubs make signings all the time without managers' input. It's old-fashioned for managers to have complete control over recruitment these days. They discuss it on the Overlap podcast.

The three players I mentioned arrived very early into VK's tenure, and I don't think it's unrealistic that they were prepared before his appointment.

I'm only speculating, though.

[boatshed bill]

As I see it we moved very quickly to build a squad, some of the early signings may never have been seen as guaranteed starters in the championship

[clarethomer]

Could be, just with McNally we never seemed likely to give him minutes even when in the Championship.

You look at his experience - he played in an Irish league then Oxford UTD and then to us. I think we clearly saw potential for development.

We had 4 other CB all of who I believe were either full internationals or captains for their under 21 internationals that he was competing against so I can see why he would struggle to get minutes and why the other players were probably able to keep ahead of him.

[Vegas Claret]

Clubs make signings all the time without managers' input. It's old-fashioned for managers to have complete control over recruitment these days. They discuss it on the Overlap podcast.

The three players I mentioned arrived very early into VK's tenure, and I don't think it's unrealistic that they were prepared before his appointment.

I'm only speculating, though.

Yes I took it as you just throwing it out there, I just can't see it myself..................but then when I think about it and see what a complete cluster of things we made this summer I'm beginning to wonder

[Stalbansclaret]

It was a loan until the end of the season after which he automatically returned to us

But surely he could have been loaned out to them again this season ? A bit like McAtee going back to Sheff U again on loan this season.

[claptrappers_union]

Yes, I took it as you just throwing it out there. I can't see it myself..................but then when I think about it and see what a complete cluster of things we made this summer, I'm beginning to wonder

I called it the Whack-a-mole transfer policy at the time… I think we took anything offered to us. And VK went along with it - and then he went all Turbo mode when starting jizzing our promotion money on Trafford, Tressor and co.

[roperclaret]

One of a collection of players whose signing to the club has not made much sense.

Which are those? Do you mean the ones who were bought when the plan was to massively reduce the wage bill whilst still trying to remain competitive in the Championship?

[Holtyclaret]

But surely he could have been loaned out to them again this season ? A bit like McAtee going back to Sheff U again on loan this season.

Did they not buy Bobby Thomas off us instead?

McNally is so far down our pecking order now I’m sure he’ll never feature for us so probably waiting for a successful loan before selling.

Was part of the rapid squad rebuild, a few of which won’t just make the grade and be moved on.

[ClaretTony]

But surely he could have been loaned out to them again this season ? A bit like McAtee going back to Sheff U again on loan this season.

Obviously had they come back in for him but they opted to sign Bobby Thomas.

[warksclaret]

I have watched him live once this year for Stoke and that day he would have been a 6 or 7 out of 10. If he had been playing consistently good I think we would have picked that up from the media and Stoke would be pushing to buy him. Suspect he will return to us in May, be involved in pre-season and the VK may well decide to sell him like we did for both Thomas and Dunne, but at least he is playing regularly in the Championship

[Silkyskills1]

Because we don’t need a top of the league CB quality as a back up???? I thought was fairly self explanatory

No, it isn't. If we are a club next season looking for promotion again why would a mediocre defender suffice as back up? Not self explanatory at all. I would say that is more contradictory.