James John McAtee

[Statto]

It's a shame there's no reserve games now, they would be ideal for this situation and returning players from injury. Also for players such as Jimmy Sinclair to show their stuff.
Plus they were great to take kids as they were free matches to get them interested, remember you're more likely to change your wife than your club, so catch them young.

It seems nonsensical why they were scrapped, don't see the point really.

It gives players in the 25 but who don't play regularly aside from the odd cover match or a few mins off the bench every now and then match practice. (like John Victor)
It gives players not in the 25 football for when they do move on or if they need to be registered.
For players who are in the academy trying to transition into the first team it gives them the chance to play with older pros rather than just their age group.
For players who are coming back from injury it gives them a chance to get some match practise albeit not at the same level as playing for the first team (though we have done this with Bakwa and Aina recently).

Plus as you say, gets people in to see the team if it's free or cheap which is fine to take little kids to without the hassle of paying a lot to (try and) get a ticket for a full stadium.

 

[Ian Moore Gone Little]

It's a shame there's no reserve games now, they would be ideal for this situation and returning players from injury. Also for players such as Jimmy Sinclair to show their stuff.
Plus they were great to take kids as they were free matches to get them interested, remember you're more likely to change your wife than your club, so catch them young.

As I think I’ve mentioned before, when I was tiny my dad took my older brother to first team matches and me to reserve games. Dad, who was as Forest-obsessed as I became, got to see Forest every Saturday (reserve games were mostly on Saturday afternoons then) and I was forced from an early age to be a Forest fan, for which I have (mostly) been grateful ever since.

 

[Frank Clark’s Tash]

A few comments stating he was brought in to play in a more possession based system. Well we had over 57% of it against Graz, over 65% against Malmo and over Over 56% against Utrect, and he still failed to influence any of those matches.

 

[duncanmckenzie]

As I think I’ve mentioned before, when I was tiny my dad took my older brother to first team matches and me to reserve games. Dad, who was as Forest-obsessed as I became, got to see Forest every Saturday (reserve games were mostly on Saturday afternoons then) and I was forced from an early age to be a Forest fan, for which I have (mostly) been grateful ever since.

In 1968 (I'm sure) there was some publicity in the local papers about a young Scottish winger we'd signed so we went to the next home reserve game and witnessed a young right winger named John Robertson. I wonder what became of him?

 

[Ian Moore Gone Little]

In 1968 (I'm sure) there was some publicity in the local papers about a young Scottish winger we'd signed so we went to the next home reserve game and witnessed a young right winger named John Robertson. I wonder what became of him?

I don’t particularly remember Robbo from reserve games of that era (though I seem to recall he was considered a midfielder at the time and was tried at left wing later). The names I saw a lot of were the likes of Duncan McKenzie with his flicks and tricks, red-haired goalie Eric Hulme and seemingly permanent reserves like Ray Bridgett, Len Harris, Alan Buckley, etc.

 

[duncanmckenzie]

I don’t particularly remember Robbo from reserve games of that era (though I seem to recall he was considered a midfielder at the time and was tried at left wing later). The names I saw a lot of were the likes of Duncan McKenzie with his flicks and tricks, red-haired goalie Eric Hulme and seemingly permanent reserves like Ray Bridgett, Len Harris, Alan Buckley, etc.

Plus the like of David Stainwright, Barry MacArthur, Colin Hall and (here goes) Steve Peikalneitas.

 

[Ian Moore Gone Little]

Plus the like of David Stainwright, Barry MacArthur, Colin Hall and (here goes) Steve Peikalneitas.

The first two were before my time but I remember Colin Hall and (I thought it was John) Piekalnitis - the name, rather than the player!

 

[Joe Baker's Dog]

It's hard exactly to pin down signings or even entire windows on certain 'recruitment people' as there seems to loads of them chipping in.

I think it's fair to say that so far the summer recruitment is at best, patchy. .

Jesus 9/10
Cunha 6/10
Victor 4/10
Kalimuendo 5/10 (possibly generous)
Ndoye - 4/10
McAtee 3/10
Hutchinson 7/10
Savona 7/10
Zinchenko 4/10
Luiz 6/10

Overall score on average there is 5.5/10 so yeah, not great so far at least.

Can't really score Gunn or Bakwa for obvious reasons.

I think Hutchison is more than 7/10 - more like a 9/10 & potentially a match winner for us going forward. Luiz but for injuries is 8/10 for me - has looked good when he's played. not sure about Savona - I think Abbott is a better player.

 

[Notcher]

It's a shame there's no reserve games now, they would be ideal for this situation and returning players from injury. Also for players such as Jimmy Sinclair to show their stuff.
Plus they were great to take kids as they were free matches to get them interested, remember you're more likely to change your wife than your club, so catch them young.

It appears that Dyche and co have made the decision to use the B team for players returning from injury. Bakwa and Aina have both recently played for them. I'm glad to see this is now being utilised.b

 

[Captain Sinister]

Decision time looming regarding Luiz.
I’m not sure of the exact loan deal, but I think there was an obligation to buy that is triggered if he makes a certain number of appearances.
He is very good when fit, but is his fitness a concern?
He may be an 8 or 9 when he plays, but can we rely on him being fit enough?
No player is > 0 in the sick bay.

 

[justnotjase]

A few comments stating he was brought in to play in a more possession based system. Well we had over 57% of it against Graz, over 65% against Malmo and over Over 56% against Utrect, and he still failed to influence any of those matches.

I think that this is a very fair point.

 

[Osiris]

Decision time looming regarding Luiz.
I’m not sure of the exact loan deal, but I think there was an obligation to buy that is triggered if he makes a certain number of appearances.

I think the rumour was 15 appearances triggers an OTB

 

[Otis Redding]

Plus the like of David Stainwright, Barry MacArthur, Colin Hall and (here goes) Steve Peikalneitas.

Colin Hall was initially seen as Joe's replacement following the brutal assault by Brian Labone (who would have been sent down had it happened anywhere beyond a football pitch). No slight on him, but it soon became evident that Colin was far from up to that task, not, I should add, that many would be to be fair.

 

[JonnoSnr]

I think Hutchison is more than 7/10 - more like a 9/10 & potentially a match winner for us going forward. Luiz but for injuries is 8/10 for me - has looked good when he's played. not sure about Savona - I think Abbott is a better player.

I think Hutchinson will become a top player for us but just hasn't had the game time yet, obviously not helped by Nuno shafting us as he left with the squad lists.

Luiz is a superb player but again just hasn't been out there enough for us.

 

[JonnoSnr]

I think the rumour was 15 appearances triggers an OTB

15 appearances that go over 45 minutes apparently. He's also been subbed off at half time in 3 different games.

 

[duncanmckenzie]

The first two were before my time but I remember Colin Hall and (I thought it was John) Piekalnitis - the name, rather than the player!

I apologise for getting the Christian name wrong but I do recall talking to Duncan at West Ham in 1972 where we lost 4-2 and he got both our goals and I think John Peikalneitis was mentioned and Dunc was taking the piss out of his name. You must also remember Jimmy McAffrey and Graham Collier who I think scored for us at Carlisle in the Cup.

 

[Statto]

A few comments stating he was brought in to play in a more possession based system. Well we had over 57% of it against Graz, over 65% against Malmo and over Over 56% against Utrect, and he still failed to influence any of those matches.

The problem is that city do a lot of tippy tappy football which doesn't get them anywhere but keeps the ball. A lot of McAtee's passing has been sideways or backwards over a few yards. When our attackers get the ball they try and progress it which is why sometimes it doesn't come off, a lot of MGW's stuff is high risk in terms of losing the ball but also means if it comes off he's managed to get a better position. I don't know how much McAtee could do that but he has been coached in City's system presumably since he was a kid and adapting to a more direct setup might be harder for him anyway.

I don't (other than the odd free kick and corner) see that he has contributed much if anything to our attacking play in terms of goals or assists.

There is time for us to see some value with him but right now he isn't bringing anything at all

Decision time looming regarding Luiz.
I’m not sure of the exact loan deal, but I think there was an obligation to buy that is triggered if he makes a certain number of appearances.
He is very good when fit, but is his fitness a concern?
He may be an 8 or 9 when he plays, but can we rely on him being fit enough?
No player is > 0 in the sick bay.

I think he needs to play >45' to count as an appearance too

 

[Notcher]

The problem is that city do a lot of tippy tappy football which doesn't get them anywhere but keeps the ball. A lot of McAtee's passing has been sideways or backwards over a few yards. When our attackers get the ball they try and progress it which is why sometimes it doesn't come off, a lot of MGW's stuff is high risk in terms of losing the ball but also means if it comes off he's managed to get a better position. I don't know how much McAtee could do that but he has been coached in City's system presumably since he was a kid and adapting to a more direct setup might be harder for him anyway.

I don't (other than the odd free kick and corner) see that he has contributed much if anything to our attacking play in terms of goals or assists.

There is time for us to see some value with him but right now he isn't bringing anything at all

I think he needs to play >45' to count as an appearance too

Prime example of a player being over coached and had the ability coached out of him. Similar situation with Grealish.

He's been relentlessly drilled over years to play within a very particular system. His role and function within that system doesn't require him to work particularly hard either, especially with a team so dominant with the ball.

It sounds mental to say it about a young player but they probably need everything that they've previously done tonne completely unpicked.

It will be interesting to see what comes from this generation of young Pep players. I think we might find quite a few that struggle when they come out of it.

What he does need to do is buck his ideas up both in workrate and motivation and build from there.

 

[Est.1865]

Really like his interaction with CHO when he came off. Positive look from a player ‘struggling’….good team based reaction.

 

[Rzar]

Really like his interaction with CHO when he came off. Positive look from a player ‘struggling’….good team based reaction.

Yeah but did you see on the 73rd minute where he was looking at the sky for a quarter of a second, clearly praying to god to get him out of here.

 

[Est.1865]

Yeah but did you see on the 73rd minute where he was looking at the sky for a quarter of a second, clearly praying to god to get him out of here.

Still needs to perform when he gets his chance, but I just noticed that moment with CHO and thought it was a ‘good’ look…

 

[Notcher]

Apparently Besiktas have started negotiations to take McAtee in January.

Rafa Silva is expected to leave and they want McAtee as his replacement.

 

[Gyros Peter]

I wondered if we might see something between us and Everton on him with McNeil - like us, they had a long standing interest. Whether they still do...

 

[Shearstone]

Apparently Besiktas have started negotiations to take McAtee in January.

Rafa Silva is expected to leave and they want McAtee as his replacement.

Is it Turkish media talk again? Yet to see them ever get anything correct

 

[Quntib Hollox]

I wondered if we might see something between us and Everton on him with McNeil - like us, they had a long standing interest. Whether they still do...

McNeil must be coming to the end of his career and McAtee hasn’t really started yet.