SPECULATION - James McClean

[Tommio]

If wigan go down then he'd probably want to leave the club, perhaps we could buy him on a discounted price. Would love too see it happen.

[peterroyal76]

I wouldn't want that Cnut anywhere near us.........a oxf*rd of the highest order.

[AthleticoSpizz]

+1 if he's in, I'm out

[SCIAG]

OK, everyone take the moral highground, he got caught speeding, but it's not like none of us have ever done 32 in a 30, is it?

[AthleticoSpizz]

He is a complex kid, the speeding is not an issue.

[peterroyal76]

^ what he said.....nothing to do with speeding.

[linkenholtroyal]

cant be anymore complex than Royston. Royston makes him look like a level headed option........ looks like a good option

[Whatevs]

If you're a fan of the IRA sign him up

[Gordons Cumming]

If wigan go down then he'd probably want to leave the club, perhaps we could buy him on a discounted price. Would love too see it happen.

He wouldn't want to stay in League One though would he?

[From Despair To Where?]

If you're a fan of the IRA sign him up

That's being a little unfair to him. Growing up in a Nationalist area of Derry, he would obviously have very strong feelings about the British Army. I can understand his reasons for not wanting to wear the poppy shirt. However I think he was massively short sighted in doing so as it was effectively two fingers to the thousands of Irishmen who've fought in British Army since 1923.

I don't think Sunderland handled it particularly well. Martin O'Neill knew his standpoint and I can't help but feel he would have been better served not to select him.

[linkenholtroyal]

Who cares about his political views...... is he a good footballer yes................ should we sign him yes. we look as the poppy as patriotic but at the ed of the day it is his freedom and right not to wear it.......

[tidus_mi2]

If this is about him refusing to wear the poppy, I think he's being unfairly treated, especially if his refusal is indeed on the basis of Bloody Sunday. I'd be more upset at the people with no authentic reason to not wear the poppy to not have one, such as the average people walking the streets, it seems every year less and less people buy a poppy for remembrance day.

All in all I think McClean should come down to:

Do the club want him? Who knows
Will Wigan be looking to sell? Certainly possible if they get relegated.
Is he good enough for us? I would say so yes.
Can we afford him? Doubt it.

[Horsham Royal]

... it seems every year less and less people buy a poppy for remembrance day...

I'd have said the opposite - in recent years there have been more people wearing them - possibly as a side effect of the Help for Heroes campaign and also Afghanistan.
But still far fewer than, say, the 70's - which is understandable as back then there were far more that would have known people directly impacted by ww2.

[AthleticoSpizz]

I would imagine Bolton would be the better fit for him.

[From Despair To Where?]

Also, no-one knows whether it was a question of his own beliefs or whether he thought wearing the poppy may have negative repercussions for his family back in Derry. He's never specifically said other than to make references to Bloody Sunday and it's impact on his community.

We were linked with him when he was still at Derry. I personally think he would be a very good signing and improve our squad. Agree, his politics shouldn't be an issue unless it causes problems within the squad.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Yes but,

he's been done for speeding.

[semtex1871]

If you're a fan of the IRA sign him up

He's got my vote.....

[sandman]

Who cares about his political views...... is he a good footballer yes................ should we sign him yes. we look as the poppy as patriotic but at the ed of the day it is his freedom and right not to wear it.......

Was he a good footballer, in his first 6 months or so at Sunderland? Yes.

Has he been a good footballer since those first 6 months or so? Not so sure.

[linkenholtroyal]

Who cares about his political views...... is he a good footballer yes................ should we sign him yes. we look as the poppy as patriotic but at the ed of the day it is his freedom and right not to wear it.......

Was he a good footballer, in his first 6 months or so at Sunderland? Yes.

Has he been a good footballer since those first 6 months or so? Not so sure.

Still beter than what we have in that position at the moment and he is a player in his prime rather than past it or still learning the game. would be a solid signing

[peterroyal76]

Also, no-one knows whether it was a question of his own beliefs or whether he thought wearing the poppy may have negative repercussions for his family back in Londonderry. He's never specifically said other than to make references to Bloody Sunday and it's impact on his community.

We were linked with him when he was still at Londonderry . I personally think he would be a very good signing and improve our squad. Agree, his politics shouldn't be an issue unless it causes problems within the squad.

Corrected for you.