McCleary for England???

[Reading4eva]

After watching his first two games, and the pre-season, I think this chap has come into his own. I hope I'm not wrong but I seriously think he could be our best ever signing. But could he play for England considering how well he has been playing and that this is a weak poisition for the national team? I think he could!

[Stuka]

He should be straight in as Captain, and given an MBE

[West Stand Man]

After watching his first two games, and the pre-season, I think this chap has come into his own. I hope I'm not wrong but I seriously think he could be our best ever signing. But could he play for England considering how well he has been playing and that this is a weak poisition for the national team? I think he could!

So far, I have to say that Guthrie has impressed me even more. He could easily be the best signing made by the club for a long while. It is a long time since we had a creative midfield player who is so confident on the ball and has the strength to keep the ball while still looking for the killer pass. Once the strikers read the game that he plays then we should see defences being worked quite hard against us.

(That is not to denigrate McCleary, of course)

[pea]

Was going to say the same, Guthrie far more likely to make that jump

[royalZILLAAA]

Guthrie and McCleary have both looked like really excellent signings so far. I could see him doing it (England) at some point down the line, it's a hell of a way from non-league, how many other players have successfully made such a dramatic step up in the football league?

[mr_number]

Let's just dish out some new passports, and have the whole of our team playing for England. Job's a good'un.

[WestRoyal]

Very long way to go before we can start seriously talking about this but it is possible. A good season in the prem is needed first!
But I think he is a very exciting player and I don't want to be heaping pressure on the lad to do magical things everytime he plays because he won't as wingers always blow hot and cold throughout a season so lets remember this. However he's come a long way in a relatively short space of time which is testament to the lads character and ability and he sounds very grounded too which is good

PS I agree with the above poster, Guthrie looks a realistic bet in time maybe if he continues what he is doing.

[cmonurz]

For now McCleary reminds me a lot of Walcott. Confident on the ball, quick, but a little bit of the Kebes about him when he gets moving (not to say his ball control is as bad as Jimmy’s). Lots of potential but a long way from England yet, imho.

Agreed on Guthrie though, this guy is absolute class, his impact has reminded me of (at a different level of course) the awe with I watched Kevin Watson spraying the ball around and controlling the game when he came into the side years ago.

[juanpablo]

For now McCleary reminds me a lot of Walcott. Confident on the ball, quick, but a little bit of the Kebes about him when he gets moving (not to say his ball control is as bad as Jimmy’s). Lots of potential but a long way from England yet, imho.

Agreed on Guthrie though, this guy is absolute class, his impact has reminded me of (at a different level of course) the awe with I watched Kevin Watson spraying the ball around and controlling the game when he came into the side years ago.

lol at Jimmy having bad control

[cmonurz]

I'll take a straw poll before getting back in my box on that one, imho Kebe's ball control is appalling. He's vastly improved from the player that signed in '06 and a big asset to the team, but he remains as likely to run into a blind corner trying to control the thing as he is to beat his man.

[WestRoyal]

For now McCleary reminds me a lot of Walcott. Confident on the ball, quick, but a little bit of the Kebes about him when he gets moving (not to say his ball control is as bad as Jimmy’s). Lots of potential but a long way from England yet, imho.

Agreed on Guthrie though, this guy is absolute class, his impact has reminded me of (at a different level of course) the awe with I watched Kevin Watson spraying the ball around and controlling the game when he came into the side years ago.

I'll agree with you on that being quite off from England standard but we got this guy on a free and him being a backup for kebe was all I was expecting
But he's a player and his performance in the first half v englands regular left back did him no harm whatsoever and he is far better on the ball (dribbling/control) than walcott and kebe imho.

Like I said though Guthrie is a realistic shout in time maybe.

[ScottRFC]

Reminds me more of James McClean from Sunderland. Very direct, whenever he receives the ball first instinct is to run at the defender, exciting to watch. Early days yet though.

[RedRum]

Neither of them are up to the standard yet.

And even if they were, it would be a couple of seasons yet before they were noticed, and they would have to carry on this form - and then probably end up being bought by the 'big 6'. Norwich and Swansea also have exciting English players who haven't had a look in... Yet.

[pea]

Neither of them are up to the standard yet.

And even if they were, it would be a couple of seasons yet before they were noticed, and they would have to carry on this form - and then probably end up being bought by the 'big 6'. Norwich and Swansea also have exciting English players who haven't had a look in... Yet.

Matt Jarvis got a call up, Shorey got one, plenty of other examples too, Jack Butland got one for crying out loud

[RedRum]

fair enough. I think Guthrie has more potential though with the old guard... Getting old.

[pea]

Yep, and not many players coming through at the big clubs that could realistic challenge him for a place. Probably on Henderson (Liverpool), Rodwell (Man City), Cleverley (Man Utd) and Wilshere (Arsenal), who have all either had a number of injury worries or suffered from poor form.

[Big Ern]

I'll take a straw poll before getting back in my box on that one, imho Kebe's ball control is appalling. He's vastly improved from the player that signed in '06 and a big asset to the team, but he remains as likely to run into a blind corner trying to control the thing as he is to beat his man.

From the man who makes 1 game a season at most.

[pea]

Lot of decent English wingers in the premiership though, McCleary would have to be playing at a high standard consistently for some time and starting ahead of Kebe week in week out. I'd say that every team in the league has someone ahead of him in the pecking order tbh

[Reading4eva]

Lot of decent English wingers in the premiership though, McCleary would have to be playing at a high standard consistently for some time and starting ahead of Kebe week in week out. I'd say that every team in the league has someone ahead of him in the pecking order tbh

I wouldnt agree with that. Look at West Ham, Wigan, Villa, Southampton and West Brom... I cant think any of those sides wingers who I'd rather in my team than Jobi and McCleary. I also think Kebe will really struggle to regain his place

[cmonurz]

I'll take a straw poll before getting back in my box on that one, imho Kebe's ball control is appalling. He's vastly improved from the player that signed in '06 and a big asset to the team, but he remains as likely to run into a blind corner trying to control the thing as he is to beat his man.

From the man who makes 1 game a season at most.

Because that stops me ever watching Reading?

If you disagree, say so.