Marcus McGuane - Signed from Oxford Official

[Mr Popodopolous]

4 minutes ago, W-S-M Seagull said:

LJ "I need one more player" 

Hope Manning has a bit more about him than that but since January we've been very busy...

January

In

*Bird

*Twine (Loan)

*Mbeude (Loan)

Out

Weimann, Loan to Released

Summer

In

*Yu (Loan)

*Twine- The Returning Loan hero

*Earthy (Loan)

*Armstrong

*Mayulu

Out:

*King

*James

*Conway

Weimann was a continuation of Janaury.

Murphy and Stokes were possibly looking forward a bit, Murphy especially.

Now the possible TGH out and McGuane in..

Edited August 22 by Mr Popodopolous

[Baldyman]

From what I’ve read he is most comfortable as a defensively minded central midfielder . Other than Knight we no longer have such a player in the squad so I’d see him as direct cover for Knight with the latter now playing in his more natural position at last . 

[Nugget]

Here he is training with Peter Styvar 

[Davefevs]

15 minutes ago, Baldyman said:

From what I’ve read he is most comfortable as a defensively minded central midfielder . Other than Knight we no longer have such a player in the squad so I’d see him as direct cover for Knight with the latter now playing in his more natural position at last . 

What about Williams?  He’s more defensively minded that Knight, surely?

[BobBobBobbin]

19 minutes ago, Davefevs said:

What about Williams?  He’s more defensively minded that Knight, surely?

would you say defensively minded or combative? I'm not always sure they're the same thing. For me, Matty James was defensively minded in that he would block spaces and anticipate the opposition play, Williams more aggressive and engaged in the central areas... I've always viewed "pressing" as an attacking play even though not in possession of the ball?

One of those phrases, like claiming possession based football is "attacking" where I'm not always sure that the wording accurately fits what's happening. 

 

[mozo]

1 hour ago, Davefevs said:

Yep…

….the next question is will that be any different for McGuane?

+++++

I have no idea, because I don’t know what, if any, playing expectations the players have.

It'll be a big challenge for him! 

He's got stiff competition for his place. I guess he's aware of that but appreciative of the opportunity to be a Championship player (and a pay rise).

Interesting that TGH's future has been on the agenda for at least a few weeks now.

Edited August 22 by mozo

[Alessandro]

If he’s a ‘squad place swap’ as it were for TGH I’d say I’m happy with that on paper - appears to offer more of what we need in midfield, attributes wise, as a cover/competition option for Knight and Williams? TGH seemed out of place here too.

Manning is certainly in the position of being able to shape the squad to his liking and having the depth that means a few suspensions and injuries won’t see us turning to the academy as his predecessor had too - for better or worse…

I’m glad the club seem to be having a bit of a, sensible, go for it this season - I’ve been critical of them, so that’s a start. We’ll see if the people having a go and the tools provided have the ability but that’s a debate for another day…

Edited August 22 by Alessandro

[NDW4CITY]

If true about McGuane and TGH, I don't have a problem with it. TGH reminded me of the cricketer named Cunis....described by Brian Johnston as neither one thing nor the other. IMO we don't truly have a specialist defensive midfielder (obviously Williams/Knight "can" play there) so if LM thinks McGuane is the right player for him, I'm good with that. 

[Davefevs]

10 minutes ago, BobBobBobbin said:

would you say defensively minded or combative? I'm not always sure they're the same thing. For me, Matty James was defensively minded in that he would block spaces and anticipate the opposition play, Williams more aggressive and engaged in the central areas... I've always viewed "pressing" as an attacking play even though not in possession of the ball?

One of those phrases, like claiming possession based football is "attacking" where I'm not always sure that the wording accurately fits what's happening. 

 

Yep, simple phrases used to cover a multitude of things…and not always very well!

Edited August 22 by Davefevs

[Mr Popodopolous]

Essentially when he injury crisis was at its apex we had, I've  checked back, 10 seniorish outfield players at our disposal.

If we can call Bell and Conway laay Autumn all that Senior.

We have added a net 2 to 3 since.. 2 I think so even if we had 11 outfield players injured again God Forbid, then we would have enough for a Senior team and 2 on the bench. We had 9 in the side and one on the bench at Cardiff...

[RedEyez]

50 minutes ago, Baldyman said:

From what I’ve read he is most comfortable as a defensively minded central midfielder . Other than Knight we no longer have such a player in the squad so I’d see him as direct cover for Knight with the latter now playing in his more natural position at last . 

Forgot about Williams then?

[Bazooka Joe]

We may have failed to get Nketiah, but it looks like we may be getting his buddy McGuane.

[And Its Smith]

Amazed by the amount of opinion on here about a player that most had probably barely heard of or seen play before today 

[Davefevs]

1 minute ago, And Its Smith said:

Amazed by the amount of opinion on here about a player that most had probably barely heard of or seen play before today 

Really?

Been talked about since November.  Played against us in Cup and Preseason, too.  

[RedRoss]

4 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Amazed by the amount of opinion on here about a player that most had probably barely heard of or seen play before today 

I can't speak for anyone else but he's the player I thought we'd sign from Oxford when Manning joined not Brannigan. 

[BobBobBobbin]

4 minutes ago, And Its Smith said:

Amazed by the amount of opinion on here about a player that most had probably barely heard of or seen play before today 

I mean, McGuane one of the more famous/known players in the lower leagues; He's been on a lot of peoples radars since his transfer to Barcelona. He had a "wonderkid" reputation for a long time!

[Davefevs]

4 minutes ago, RedRoss said:

I can't speak for anyone else but he's the player I thought we'd sign from Oxford when Manning joined not Brannigan. 

You can speak for me if you like.

[Crackers Corner]

1 hour ago, Nugget said:

Here he is training with Peter Styvar 

Some of that footwork looks a bit messy

[Br1stolCityBoy]

49 minutes ago, NDW4CITY said:

If true about McGuane and TGH, I don't have a problem with it. TGH reminded me of the cricketer named Cunis....described by Brian Johnston as neither one thing nor the other. IMO we don't truly have a specialist defensive midfielder (obviously Williams/Knight "can" play there) so if LM thinks McGuane is the right player for him, I'm good with that. 

So can Naismith play there. 

[Fpcity]

Sorry if been asked before but why only a 2 year contract? I guess 1 year option as well? 

[RedRoss]

2 minutes ago, Fpcity said:

Sorry if been asked before but why only a 2 year contract? I guess 1 year option as well? 

Less risk basically. 

[Banjo Island]

1 hour ago, Lappy1 said:

Maybe this kid is the Kalifa Cisse type player we’ve been crying out for for the last 15 years. 

Marv elliott’s replacement

[jjcarrera1974]

1 hour ago, Crackers Corner said:

Some of that footwork looks a bit messy

Looks like he has a “Lionel” Blair hair cut…

Edited August 22 by jjcarrera1974

[Mr Popodopolous]

There's some ridiculous hyperbole around this potential signing?

Decent player but 25, played League One predominantly. Elliott and Cisse, anyone else?

Edited August 22 by Mr Popodopolous

[Harry]

To sum up a few comments. 
I don’t see this as “another” player. It’s a 1 in 1 out situation that has presented itself. 
TGH was already in the squad as one of 4 central midfielders battling for 2 CM places (Knight, Bird, Williams, TGH). 
This is a straight replacement (squad numbers-wise) for TGH. 
 

Regards how he plays - I am of the opinion that he is an upgrade on TGH. Manning never really fancied him anyway (I said this from day 1) TGH is just not dynamic enough for a Manning system. 
 

McGuane formed a really good CM partnership with Brannigan last season under Manning at Oxford. When we signed Manning my immediate thoughts were that McGuane would be the most likely signing, as he would bring more pace and strength to what I thought at the time was a slow midfield of James/Williams. 
 

As others have said, it’s a squad game now. We’ll have 4 central midfielders, with differing attributes. Knight, Bird, Williams and McGuane - to fill the 2 x CM roles. 
Bird will also likely compete with Twine and Earthy for the 10 role. But Twine and Earthy will also compete with Mehmeti and Sykes for the left and right sided forward roles. 

When Manning arrived, I looked back at about a dozen Oxford games and the pic below were my comments back in November :

 

 

Edited August 22 by Harry

[Mr Popodopolous]

I remain sceptical that a true midfield 2 will gain the optimum success the higher up you go, but we shall see.

Edited August 22 by Mr Popodopolous

[NDW4CITY]

51 minutes ago, Br1stolCityBoy said:

So can Naismith play there. 

‘Can’ being the operative word. Given his injury record and the fact that he hasn’t really played in midfield for us for an extended period, it would be a risk. If we are to get to the next level, I don’t see anything wrong with having specialists playing in their preferred positions, whenever possible.

[cotswoldred2]

5 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

I'm not especially enthused by this one but we shall see.

As cover maybe, perhaps lower wages than TGH but...is he better than what we have is a key metric?

Kidding Right?   ex Barca,Arsenal and 

 

 

Oxford.

[Betty Swallocks]

34 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

There's some ridiculous hyperbole around this potential signing?

Decent player but 25, played League One predominantly. Elliott and Cidse, anyone else?

Isn’t there ridiculous hyperbole in most new signing threads? 

[Mr Popodopolous]

6 minutes ago, cotswoldred2 said:

Kidding Right?   ex Barca,Arsenal and 

 

 

Oxford.

Let's see shall we.

I'm not terribly excited about this one, seems an okay signing and you need that depth but an upgrade on TGH? Let's see.

[Br1stolCityBoy]

41 minutes ago, NDW4CITY said:

‘Can’ being the operative word. Given his injury record and the fact that he hasn’t really played in midfield for us for an extended period, it would be a risk. If we are to get to the next level, I don’t see anything wrong with having specialists playing in their preferred positions, whenever possible.

For me Naismith is the ideal player to play just in front the back 4. Any player can get injured. Let’s hope he’s over his. I think he’s a great passer of the ball as well. 

[Cov 77]

40 minutes ago, Betty Swallocks said:

Isn’t there ridiculous hyperbole in most new signing threads? 

As usual between best player ever and crap league one guy who we definitely don’t want here

[1960maaan]

1 hour ago, cotswoldred2 said:

Kidding Right?   ex Barca B team ,Arsenal Academy and 

Oxford First team.

To be slightly more accurate . Less than 25 minutes for the first teams combined .
Not featured this season for Oxford , we shall see .

I'd like to think we would get our money back for TGH and not paid much for someone with 10 months left on his contract. 

Edited August 22 by 1960maaan

[BobBobBobbin]

48 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Let's see shall we.

I'm not terribly excited about this one, seems an okay signing and you need that depth but an upgrade on TGH? Let's see.

I think the key part is they're different types. I think McGuane will give us something slightly different in that he's comfortable picking the ball up from CB's and can break lines with his passing and his dribbling from deep. TGH could have done that role if coached to do it, I think, But McGuane fills a spot where we probably don't have a true mobile "pivot" type. Bird has done that role at Derby before, but as we've seen, he's much more dangerous further forward in a hybrid 8 type role or even in the 10. 

Looking past the poor execution of the recruitment of TGH and my feeling that TGH is a good player with a lot of room to grow, the signing of McGuane as a replacement ticks a lot of boxes. There will be games where there's not a need for a Williams but there is a need for a "half back". There might be times where we play a 1-2 in midfield rather than a 2-1, McGuane with Bird and Knight ahead looks quite good to me. If you tried to play TGH, Bird and Knight together it gets a bit samey. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

4 minutes ago, BobBobBobbin said:

I think the key part is they're different types. I think McGuane will give us something slightly different in that he's comfortable picking the ball up from CB's and can break lines with his passing and his dribbling from deep. TGH could have done that role if coached to do it, I think, But McGuane fills a spot where we probably don't have a true mobile "pivot" type. Bird has done that role at Derby before, but as we've seen, he's much more dangerous further forward in a hybrid 8 type role or even in the 10. 

Looking past the poor execution of the recruitment of TGH and my feeling that TGH is a good player with a lot of room to grow, the signing of McGuane as a replacement ticks a lot of boxes. There will be games where there's not a need for a Williams but there is a need for a "half back". There might be times where we play a 1-2 in midfield rather than a 2-1, McGuane with Bird and Knight ahead looks quite good to me. If you tried to play TGH, Bird and Knight together it gets a bit samey. 

Surely our excellent coach on the grass should be able to coach TGH in that direction no?

I do see what you are saying, perhaps McGuane is a bit more here and now but do.we have the luxury of a bit of time or don't we.

The whole overarching Strategic Plan of the Club, my misgivings haven't been wholly sorted just yet.

[Rocky]

 

[BobBobBobbin]

9 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Surely our excellent coach on the grass should be able to coach TGH in that direction no?

I do see what you are saying, perhaps McGuane is a bit more here and now but do.we have the luxury of a bit of time or don't we.

The whole overarching Strategic Plan of the Club, my misgivings haven't been wholly sorted just yet.

There's a bit of that, yes. But also TGH is a naturally forward thinking player and sometimes that doesn't suit a particular tactical style. 

Whilst I'm still annoyed that we've lit a bin fire with the "Bristol City squad, Head Coach comes in and coaches what we have and we recruit those HC's with the squad in mind" mantra, I can see why in isolation this "trade" makes perfect sense and probably makes us better. 

I like TGH and he's the type of midfielder I'd have in "my" team. Forward thinking, decent delivery and mobility and likes to have a pop. He suited our more direct, heavy pressing style before. He doesn't suit Manning. Not a seamless transition as we were told but we are where we are.

[Betty Swallocks]

28 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Surely our excellent coach on the grass should be able to coach TGH in that direction no?

 

This comes across as a really childish comment.

Manning has worked with TGH for over 9 months now, maybe he’s tried and has realised that it’s not ever going to work out for Taylor in the way that we play.

 

[Cov 77]

30 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Surely our excellent coach on the grass should be able to coach TGH in that direction no?

I do see what you are saying, perhaps McGuane is a bit more here and now but do.we have the luxury of a bit of time or don't we.

The whole overarching Strategic Plan of the Club, my misgivings haven't been wholly sorted just yet.

Another dig at Manning , not needed tbh 

[Mr Popodopolous]

Just now, Betty Swallocks said:

This comes across as a really childish comment.

Manning has worked with TGH for over 9 months now, maybe he’s tried and has realised that it’s not ever going to work out for Taylor in the way that we play.

 

 

Just now, Cov 77 said:

Another dig at Manning , not needed tbh 

Is it though? This was a Selling Point of hiring LM.

It's a shame as I do see merit got TGH in a setup with 3 genuine CMs ie as we played in both League games but not necessarily 2 and a 10.

We played with 2 and Wells as a 10 in the Cup but 2 and Bird as more of a 10 in the League. I may go through TGH by performance in different setups as we've had a few under Manning- but these are two notably different setups even if superficially the same.

[RedRoss]

19 minutes ago, BobBobBobbin said:

There's a bit of that, yes. But also TGH is a naturally forward thinking player and sometimes that doesn't suit a particular tactical style. 

Whilst I'm still annoyed that we've lit a bin fire with the "Bristol City squad, Head Coach comes in and coaches what we have and we recruit those HC's with the squad in mind" mantra, I can see why in isolation this "trade" makes perfect sense and probably makes us better. 

I like TGH and he's the type of midfielder I'd have in "my" team. Forward thinking, decent delivery and mobility and likes to have a pop. He suited our more direct, heavy pressing style before. He doesn't suit Manning. Not a seamless transition as we were told but we are where we are.

Mate however good the coach is they weren't going to be able to make James or King any quicker. 

[Betty Swallocks]

1 minute ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

 

Is it though? This was a Selling Point of hiring LM.

 

Yes it is. 
 

Manning could be an excellent coach but he’s no magician, he’s not going to turn players into something that they are not. 

[steviestevieneville]

35 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Surely our excellent coach on the grass should be able to coach TGH in that direction no?

I do see what you are saying, perhaps McGuane is a bit more here and now but do.we have the luxury of a bit of time or don't we.

The whole overarching Strategic Plan of the Club, my misgivings haven't been wholly sorted just yet.

Not if said player has different qualities to the player he wants to fill that role. Imo a bit of a naive comment . No matter how good a coach can be . If a player doesn’t possess the attributes needed for a specific role then he can’t be coached to play it. 

[BobBobBobbin]

4 minutes ago, RedRoss said:

Mate however good the coach is they weren't going to be able to make James or King any quicker. 

worth typing, that. 

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 minutes ago, Betty Swallocks said:

Yes it is. 
 

Manning could be an excellent coach but he’s no magician, he’s not going to turn players into something that they are not. 

I don't see McGuane as a particular upgrade, and he's 2 to 3 years older too.

It's not comparing like with like is it though.

Bird as a 10 with 2 CM behind and Wells as a 10 with 2 CM behind are two different dynamics. You aren't comparing like with like.

If TGH failed in that setup last year fair enough I suppose.

[Mr Popodopolous]

1 minute ago, steviestevieneville said:

Not if said player has different qualities to the player he wants to fill that role. Imo a bit of a naive comment . No matter how good a coach can be . If a player doesn’t possess the attributes needed for a specific role then he can’t be coached to play it. 

Let's see McGuane in a 2 shall we with Wells in front and compare shall we. That was the role assigned to TGH v Coventry.

[RedRoss]

2 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

I don't see McGuane as a particular upgrade, and he's 2 to 3 years older too.

It's not comparing like with like is it though.

Bird as a 10 with 2 CM behind and Wells as a 10 with 2 CM behind are two different dynamics. You aren't comparing like with like.

If TGH failed in that setup last year fair enough I suppose.

What are your reasons for that? You mentioned his lack of goals/assists earlier and others pointed out that's not his role. It doesn't sound like you know much about him in all honesty so I'm unable to work how you've come to that idea. 

[Kibs]

1 minute ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Let's see McGuane in a 2 shall we with Wells in front and compare shall we. That was the role assigned to TGH v Coventry.

Have you stopped to consider that TGH doesn’t want to be 2nd choice (and he will be with Williams, Knight, Bird all ahead of him), and so he wants the move? May even have asked for it? Especially with it being so close to home.

I like TGH, but he desperately needs regular games.

[Mr Popodopolous]

3 minutes ago, RedRoss said:

What are your reasons for that? You mentioned his lack of goals/assists earlier and others pointed out that's not his role. It doesn't sound like you know much about him in all honesty so I'm unable to work how you've come to that idea. 

Some underlying numbers for one.

I've looked at some others and if he is a depth player, fine. Seems underwhelming to me.

Edited August 22 by Mr Popodopolous

[Mr Popodopolous]

Just now, Kibs said:

Have you stopped to consider that TGH doesn’t want to be 2nd choice (and he will be with Williams, Knight, Bird all ahead of him), and so he wants the move? May even have asked for it? Especially with it being so close to home.

I like TGH, but he desperately needs regular games.

Ah well this is the other side of the coin too. TGH especially at his age still developing as he is...3rd or 4th choice? He'll definitely want more gametime.

[Kibs]

Just now, Mr Popodopolous said:

Ah well this is the other side of the coin too. TGH especially at his age still developing as he is...3rd or 4th choice? He'll definitely want more gametime.

I really hope it works out for him, seems a decent lad too. I think there is a player there but he’s at that stage of his career isn’t he 

[steviestevieneville]

20 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Let's see McGuane in a 2 shall we with Wells in front and compare shall we. That was the role assigned to TGH v Coventry.

Im talking about a players attributes in general,  specific to a role a manager wants him to play to compliment the squad. I don’t know why you’re talking about a one off league cup game. It’s quite plain to see manning doesn’t think he fits his style . Horses for courses 

Edited August 22 by steviestevieneville

[Mr Popodopolous]

2 minutes ago, steviestevieneville said:

Im talking about a players attributes in general,  specific to a role a manager wants him to play to compliment the squad. I don’t know why you’re talking about a one off league cup game. It’s quite plain to see manning doesn’t think he fits his style . Horses for courses 

Fair. I think there is still a decent player in there and the right structure etc but if McGuane seemed a better fit in the here and now plus medium term, that also seems okay..hopefully he will prove to be a useful addition.

[mozo]

38 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

 

Is it though? This was a Selling Point of hiring LM.

It's a shame as I do see merit got TGH in a setup with 3 genuine CMs ie as we played in both League games but not necessarily 2 and a 10.

We played with 2 and Wells as a 10 in the Cup but 2 and Bird as more of a 10 in the League. I may go through TGH by performance in different setups as we've had a few under Manning- but these are two notably different setups even if superficially the same.

Mr P, what was actually said that supports your argument that Manning could have turned TGH into something different?

[lenred]

39 minutes ago, Cov 77 said:

Another dig at Manning , not needed tbh 

Don’t wish to get caught up in yet another argument about NP leaving and Manning coming in, but this is what we were told - that we had the players in the building and that LM was going to use his time on the grass improve player development with that squad - a squad deemed by JL as being ‘one of the  best since he’s been involved and good enough to compete at the top end’.  So points about why that seems to have now changed are valid and do not need to be shouted down.  

[Jimmyjimmy]

1 hour ago, Cov 77 said:

Another dig at Manning , not needed tbh 

Keep up, digs at Manning perfectly accepted from the usual suspects. Not allowed on any of their favourites though.

Edited August 22 by Jimmyjimmy

[Numero Uno]

13 minutes ago, lenred said:

Don’t wish to get caught up in yet another argument about NP leaving and Manning coming in, but this is what we were told - that we had the players in the building and that LM was going to use his time on the grass improve player development with that squad - a squad deemed by JL as being ‘one of the  best since he’s been involved and good enough to compete at the top end’.  So points about why that seems to have now changed are valid and do not need to be shouted down.  

One of the reasons was that Jon was spouting complete and utter drivel evidenced by the run between January and March. We had to revert from playing possession football very badly to something more similar to the previous manager who knows a tiny bit more about football than Jon (who knew?). Clearly Liam put him right and has been able to add players. Now it’s down to Liam to get a tune out of them.

[INCRED]

McGuane has certainly been at two great clubs in Arsenal & Barcelona so must have some talent to have been at both and Manning obviously used him effectively at Oxford in a midfield 2 with Brannigan so he knows what he brings to a team and feels he can do a job here

He certainly fits the profile of a mobile dynamic midfielder similar to Knight but physically taller 

He may be one of those smart signings which LM knows how to get the best out of much like Twine and just fits the playing style much better than not only TGH but also Williams/Knight as a ready made defensive midfielder 

We will see!

[Port Said Red]

5 hours ago, mozo said:

It'll be a big challenge for him! 

He's got stiff competition for his place. I guess he's aware of that but appreciative of the opportunity to be a Championship player (and a pay rise).

Interesting that TGH's future has been on the agenda for at least a few weeks now.

He is a Championship player isn't he? Isn't he at Oxford Utd?

[Severn Beach Pigeon]

6 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Exactly.

The wanting to block non offensive views is odd. I get an optimism bias but censorship of that is ridiculous and frankly smacks of Forced Jollity too.

That's not what happened though is it?

They asked for a specific thread for you to bring up how much you love NP as much as you want.

[Mr Popodopolous]

7 minutes ago, Severn Beach Pigeon said:

That's not what happened though is it?

They asked for a specific thread for you to bring up how much you love NP as much as you want.

It is still censorship to some extent if the whys and wherefores as to how we got here and the context is shunted away.

[Severn Beach Pigeon]

3 minutes ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

It is still censorship to some extent if the whys and wherefores as to how we got here and the context is shunted away.

You aren't being censored.

It's just frustrating for every thread to turn into the same questions over and over when we all know the ******* answers.

You were complaining about NP not getting worshipped in a video that praised him a couple of days ago. 

I didn't want him to go, but part of being an adult is having the ability to move on once you have the answers.

You don't have to like the answers, but these questions that have been getting asked have already been done to death countless times in the last 10 months.

Can we not have this same discussion of the same answered questions on every single transfer thread?

Pick one and hash it out there, or have a thread for it to save everyone else having to read the same shite over and over.

[INCRED]

7 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Is McGuane a player who will improve us? Push us on.

Is the aim/goal Top 10 or Top 6.

Forget managers, the overall Club Strategic Plan seems questionable.

Why not wait and see where he fits him in and performs before putting a negative slant on a player we are yet to see in a city shirt.

Maybe support the club and players in the shirt as opposed to question every decision made?

[bcfc01]

9 minutes ago, Severn Beach Pigeon said:

That's not what happened though is it?

They asked for a specific thread for you to bring up how much you love NP as much as you want.

And also to denigrate Manning to hearts content.

Not sure what the problem is - get it set up.

Anyway, back on topic, seems that McGuane is incoming.

He has an interesting back story and appears to have lost his way a bit and ended up at Oxford. Intriguing signing which could pay off big time or go the other way. 

[mozo]

34 minutes ago, Port Said Red said:

He is a Championship player isn't he? Isn't he at Oxford Utd?

Sorry, I refuse to believe that Oxford are in the Championship. Madness

[Severn Beach Pigeon]

1 minute ago, mozo said:

Sorry, I refuse to believe that Oxford are in the Championship. Madness

One Step Beyond what you thought Oxford are capable of?

[Dr Balls]

1 hour ago, Kibs said:

Have you stopped to consider that TGH doesn’t want to be 2nd choice (and he will be with Williams, Knight, Bird all ahead of him), and so he wants the move? May even have asked for it? Especially with it being so close to home.

I like TGH, but he desperately needs regular games.

I would agree that he needs a regular run in a team that values what he can bring. A move to a promotion-chasing Birmingham could be just what TGH needs to take his career forward, even if it initially looks like a backward step.

[cotswoldred2]

3 hours ago, Mr Popodopolous said:

Let's see shall we.

I'm not terribly excited about this one, seems an okay signing and you need that depth but an upgrade on TGH? Let's see.

 I liked TGH bit clumsy but something there, and a good lad.

[cotswoldred2]

2 hours ago, 1960maaan said:

To be slightly more accurate . Less than 25 minutes for the first teams combined .
Not featured this season for Oxford , we shall see .

I'd like to think we would get our money back for TGH and not paid much for someone with 10 months left on his contract. 

Agree, I think you missed my sarcasm.

[1960maaan]

52 minutes ago, bcfc01 said:

Anyway, back on topic, seems that McGuane is incoming.

He has an interesting back story and appears to have lost his way a bit and ended up at Oxford. Intriguing signing which could pay off big time or go the other way.

This is a big year for us and Manning. Been backed properly and you have to say this is his team now .
While I have some reservations I obviously want us to be successful and me to be proved wrong whenever and whatever I have questioned our direction. 
Back to the thread ...

Optimistic ;
To be picked up by Barca ('B') and have a £25m clause speaks of his potential , played regularly under Manning previously so he should know exactly what he is getting. You want to say that the attributes of McGuane are nearer to what Manning thinks are lacking in TGH.

Pessimistic;
We also brought in a 25 year old player that had a very good team pay £10m for , who had shown potential . (Diony)
I don't think he's didn't made the Oxford squad this year .

What I've seen so far , and it hasn't all been great , has got me a little optimistic . A tad nervous about Saturday but looking forward to Derby and I have a feeling we can get a good points return from these games.

I will stick to my plan of giving it 10/12 games to assess where we are , and look forward to seeing our latest purchase.

*Edited because I still don't read what I type.

Edited August 22 by 1960maaan