James McLean

Zom Zom · Post by **Zom Zom** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:38 pm

James McLean. Footballer.
Is he good enough to improve what we currently have? - Yes

Do his political views affect, in any way, his full time job? - No

No problem. Sign him up.

Dy1geo · Post by **Dy1geo** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:39 pm

Will trust SD on this one, from what I have seen of him apart from being a grafter I have not been that impressed, he only came on as a sub for Wigan when we played them in the championship and he didn’t do much.

I would have liked to have us linked to a player with a bit more flair etc

Cheshireclaret · Post by **Cheshireclaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:41 pm

Goodness gracious me, this argument once again. Whilst I choose to wear a poppy, and always will, it has been pointed out above that our forefathers gave and risked their lives so we may be free. Free to make the choices that the likes of James McLean have made and will continue to make. I wouldn't dream of ever forcing anyone to wear a poppy against his or her will and this is not the same as, say, booing a national anthem, or shouting abuse during a minute's silence (he observes that I assume when we have one around 11th November) or shouting offensive comments - it is just him exercising his right to choose not to wear something that has certain coonitations pertaining to where he was brought up. He is not going out of his way to be offensive. What on earth is wrong with that?

This clamour and desire for huge symbolic gestures, and public displays and outpourings of grief seems to have begun when Lady Diana sadly died in 1997 and it strikes me that ever since, people who choose to pay their respects in their own, private ways, or choose not to at all as is their will, are pilloried as being social pariahs.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:42 pm

turbo5 wrote:Everybody is entitled to their own opinion, but there is a time and a place to express it. Not by refusing to wear a poppy in a country which is very proud of our armed services past and present.
We have a lot of ex forces and military background families in Burnley and I personally think this would be a very bad move for a club like Burnley. I predict some would be returning their season tickets or not renewing them if we signed him.

You really need to read the letter he wrote ages ago explaining why he makes the choice not to wear one.

Maybe, just maybe, you'd understand why he doesn't.

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:44 pm

For me he's too old, for SD that makes him perfect.
I fancy he is the sort of signing we will see rather than an influx of young talent.
Can see the logic in him plus two youngsters but I fancy SD will continue with his policy of buying in already proven talent.

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:45 pm

I can't wait til we sign him then when he doesn't wear a poppy for us, the ones who have disliked him for not wearing one will magically understand why he doesn't. fickle people really, nobody would have any issue with a Burnley player not wearing a poppy.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:45 pm

If Dyche is going against what you advise then I'm all for it.

ClaretTony · Post by **ClaretTony** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:47 pm

LongsideFacingUp wrote:Turning his back during the playing of our national anthem might be considered slightly disrespectful.

He's entitled to do what he wants by the way.

The irony is that you have no problems with McClean exercising his right to disrespect the fallen, yet you're offended by those who exercise their right to criticise him for it.

Again, muddled thinking.

I think it is you who is totally muddled. I think people have a right to make their own decisions, which he has, and without criticism from others. You seem to think it is your right to criticise those who don't do as you do. I wear a poppy, every year I wear one and respect why I'm wearing it. I respect those who choose not to and don't go round criticising them. Sorry, you got muddled but you went round and round and in the end didn't make much sense.

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:57 pm

I said we should be signing him for a few month now. He’s a class act.

15-20m will do it

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:02 pm

Waste of money at that price.

Inchy · Post by **Inchy** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:05 pm

If he’s got more than a year left on his contract that’s what he will cost

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:07 pm

Barton was a divisive or even despised figure before he signed. As soon as he turned in good professional performances everyone was behind him completely. The same would happen here.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:08 pm

ABC declares him a waste.... Sign him up.

BurnleyFC · Post by **BurnleyFC** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:14 pm

He’s an odious turd, regardless of his views on the wearing of the poppy, and isn’t actually very good either.

Stay well clear.

randomclaret2 · Post by **randomclaret2** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:18 pm

Here's something that may surprise you....a lot of footballers arent particularly nice blokes

ElectroClaret · Post by **ElectroClaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:18 pm

BurnleyFC wrote:He’s an odious turd....

How have you worked that out?

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:19 pm

KRBFC wrote:I can confirm that the OP and his pals are fishing again

Ok then.

evensteadiereddie · Post by **evensteadiereddie** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:21 pm

A couple of WBA fans down here reckon we'll have been robbed if we pay even 10 mill for him, they don't rate him at all.
That's fine by me, he has , after all, been playing under a couple of complete **** managers in recent times.
Dyche will sort him out and set him to work very quickly.
As I recall, Villa fans didn't rate Westwood or Lowton, Leeds fans didn't rate Wood or Taylor, Derby fans didn't rate Hendrick....

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:21 pm

randomclaret2 wrote:The troubles and Hitler were not linked in any way. The troubles started in 1968/9

Really? Haha
Thanks for the history lesson. Oh and.....

Collaboration between the IRA and Abwehr during World War II ranged in intensity during the period 1937–1943 and ended permanently around 1944. The Irish Republican Army (IRA), a paramilitary group seeking to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and unify Ireland, shared intelligence with the Abwehr, the military intelligence service of Nazi Germany.

Contents [hide]
1 Context
2 1937 – 1939: the first IRA contacts
3 1939 – 1940
4 Plan S – Killing of civilians in Coventry 25 August 1939
5 Seamus O'Donovan
6 Communication problems
7 Military and political mission phases
8 See also
8.1 German agents
8.2 Irish liaisons
8.3 Irish in Germany
8.4 Attempts at infiltration
9 References
9.1 Further information/sources

dpinsussex · Post by **dpinsussex** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:22 pm

So 3 pages of comments. Have we actually signed him yet ??

BurnleyFC · Post by **BurnleyFC** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:25 pm

ElectroClaret wrote:How have you worked that out?

I’ve met him.

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:25 pm

I don't rate Westwood and never understood the reason for his signing and at a rumoured £5m we were robbed

evensteadiereddie · Post by **evensteadiereddie** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:26 pm

Weren't one or two members of our glorious Royal Family more than slightly Nazi orientated ? Just asking.

evensteadiereddie · Post by **evensteadiereddie** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:26 pm

BurnleyFC wrote:I’ve met him.

Do tell.

Wexford_Claret · Post by **Wexford_Claret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:27 pm

elwaclaret wrote:Really? Haha
Thanks for the history lesson. Oh and.....

Collaboration between the IRA and Abwehr during World War II ranged in intensity during the period 1937–1943 and ended permanently around 1944. The Irish Republican Army (IRA), a paramilitary group seeking to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and unify Ireland, shared intelligence with the Abwehr, the military intelligence service of Nazi Germany.

What does this prove? This still has nothing to do with the Troubles.

Lancasterclaret · Post by **Lancasterclaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:28 pm

The independence struggle of Ireland and the troubles are two different periods elwa.

Think McClean would be a asset as well

randomclaret2 · Post by **randomclaret2** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:30 pm

Like I said Elwa..."the troubles " refers to the period starting around 1968/9. ...well after the second world war.I am in no way disputing the events you do refer to however.

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:31 pm

ablueclaret wrote:For me he's too old, for SD that makes him perfect.
I fancy he is the sort of signing we will see rather than an influx of young talent.
Can see the logic in him plus two youngsters but I fancy SD will continue with his policy of buying in already proven talent.

A couple of points:
I agree that he is too old, and looks to me like an expensive short-term fix.
However, a couple of years ago we went out and bought lots of young potential players,your favourite Renny Smith was one of these, none of which has made it.
I'd rather we kept out powder dry.

Wexford_Claret · Post by **Wexford_Claret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:32 pm

And the IRA of the 1940’s were quite different to the PIRA of the Troubles.

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:33 pm

evensteadiereddie wrote:Weren't one or two members of our glorious Royal Family more than slightly Nazi orientated ? Just asking.

Disident members mainly Eddie. HM served with the land army (ours), and her Mum and Dad did a hell of a lot keeping moral high. I seem to remember the Queen (our ex Queen mother) even opened up residencies for Women institute initiatives eg sewing paraaphutes when she heard they were struggling for room.

edit: Remember reading.... I'm not that old.

randomclaret2 · Post by **randomclaret2** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:33 pm

Could be a long night on here Wexford...

Wexford_Claret · Post by **Wexford_Claret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:35 pm

randomclaret2 wrote:Could be a long night on here Wexford...

I’m not giving it much longer mate.

randomclaret2 · Post by **randomclaret2** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:37 pm

Me neither...500 years of Irish history condensed into 1 thread on UTC...could get messy lol...

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:49 pm

Lancasterclaret wrote:The independence struggle of Ireland and the troubles are two different periods elwa.

Think McClean would be a asset as well

Not arguing that Lancaster (and Random2) but my initial point was that but for the British (including Irish) the IRA would have had a lesson in being careful what you wish for.

Irish history is a big interest of mine (third only English and American) due to family connections to the main events.... we've had folk on both sides of most of the major events that get rolled out in discussions.... Irish Catholic Confederates, Rupublicans (Southern), the Troubles republican and British servicemen. I am fairly confident of my ability to argue either side at will lol.

NRC · Post by **NRC** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:51 pm

Anyone thought if we’re interested, if as a result, an opinion will be sought from the Irish contingent? I wonder what they think, and if it’s considered?

box_of_frogs · Post by **box_of_frogs** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:01 pm

Not floating my boat is this one.

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:10 pm

box_of_frogs wrote:Not floating my boat is this one.

Not certain you have anything to worry about box_of_frogs.

ŽižkovClaret · Post by **ŽižkovClaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:10 pm

People talk a lot on here, but if he slams the ball home to secure Europa League football you'll celebrate and you bloody know it

ablueclaret · Post by **ablueclaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:11 pm

£8 million tops.

Dy1geo · Post by **Dy1geo** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:19 pm

ablueclaret wrote:£8 million tops.

And we only paid a rumoured £7mil for Defour, shows how football transfer values have gone when you say £8 mil for McClean!!

Stayingup · Post by **Stayingup** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:21 pm

Spijed wrote:A bit of hypocrisy from those who have an issue with him not wearing a poppy.

I suspect you were all quite happy that we previously signed someone who had gone to prison for stubbing a cigar in someones eye!

What's worse?

You're wrong about that. Didn't go to prison for that.

Indecisive · Post by **Indecisive** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:27 pm

ablueclaret wrote:For me he's too old, for SD that makes him perfect.
I fancy he is the sort of signing we will see rather than an influx of young talent.
Can see the logic in him plus two youngsters but I fancy SD will continue with his policy of buying in already proven talent.

Proven talent.....Like Tarks? Like Andre Gray? Like Nick Pope?

Dyche is a shrewd operator in the transfer market.

I'd trust Dyche on Mclean. He seems to get it right WAY more than he gets it wrong.

ClaretAndJew · Post by **ClaretAndJew** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:28 pm

I don't wear a poppy either, do you all hate me?

ŽižkovClaret · Post by **ŽižkovClaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:29 pm

ClaretAndJew wrote:I don't wear a poppy either, do you all hate me?

Ha im undecided

elwaclaret · Post by **elwaclaret** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:30 pm

ClaretAndJew wrote:I don't wear a poppy either, do you all hate me?

You the most

karatekid · Post by **karatekid** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:39 pm

Does mesut ozil wear a poppy? What about sergio aguero? It seems to me that McLean is a bit of a stirrer and could upset the togetherness that SD has brought to the dressing room.

Pearcey · Post by **Pearcey** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:51 pm

I hate that the Poppy is beginning to cause these arguments. I served for 26 years and I agree with most that it’s a choice to wear it. If you don’t, fine. If you do, fine. It’s not about the British victories or Britain as a whole. It’s about young lads who were sent to France and Belgium to fight a pointless war because politicians wanted to flex their muscles. Then were slaughtered by the thousands. By all means, hate the politicians but don’t hate those young lads.

As for McClean, he’d be a great signing.

nil_desperandum · Post by **nil_desperandum** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 7:57 pm

I was just asking myself.
Which would I prefer to see?
James McLean not wearing a poppy, or Tony Blair wearing one?
Who is the one whose principles I most respect?

AGENT_CLARET · Post by **AGENT_CLARET** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:01 pm

McClean has made a number of charitable donations to the less fortunate in society. He made a significant donation to homeless people at the Wells and Foyle Valley House in Derry. He donated £1,500 for a custom hand cycle bike help a child who was suffering from Spina Bifida. He made another significant donation to the Wells facility in the Bogside, for up to 24 men who have alcohol problems. He paid £1,750 for a new mobile home after hearing about a pregnant homeless woman's struggles on social media. He donated £1000 to help pay for specialist proton therapy in Florida for a four-year-old child suffering from cancer. He donated £1,200 to help pay for the funeral of a two-year-old boy who was struck by a car. In December 2016 he set up a new clothing line with proceeds going to help the homeless in Derry. He has also donated £500 to an online fund set up to support the family of a missing Derry man

jrgbfc · Post by **jrgbfc** » Sun Jan 07, 2018 8:04 pm

Doesn't seem to chip in with too many goals or assists. Not sure we need yet another grafter.