What happened to Paddy McNair?

viv_andersons_nana

viv_andersons_nana

Well-known member
He apparently ‘tweaked his back’ at Leeds United on December 2nd. I think he’s been on the bench once or twice since then? I can’t remember and haven’t checked yet. But it’s interesting that Carrick was playing him every week before his injury and then he’s just out of the picture. Is he still injured? And is it a Coburn-style injury where he could play if needed but it’s probably best to leave it if you can.

It does seem a bit odd at the moment. I don’t remember Boro carrying so many apparently half-fit players in all the time I’ve been watching us.
 
We have a fit right back again, so Van den Berg can play in his natural position.

McNair played when Smith got injured, and VDB was versatile enough to do an adequate job at right back.

Now we have Ayling there.

He'll probably face strong competition from Matt Clarke for any rotation now too.
 
He's been on the bench for the last couple of weeks, but can't remember him even warming up.

Doesn't look like there's any sign of him featuring for us, which is a shame because he's a better defender than Dael Fry. There's also a case for playing him CM, as he's a better midfielder than Dan Barlaser.

Wonder if we're not playing him due to having to pay him bonuses if he does play?
 
uncle_rico said:
He's been on the bench for the last couple of weeks, but can't remember him even warming up.

Doesn't look like there's any sign of him featuring for us, which is a shame because he's a better defender than Dael Fry. There's also a case for playing him CM, as he's a better midfielder than Dan Barlaser.

Wonder if we're not playing him due to having to pay him bonuses if he does play?
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He's warmed up for all the matches.

It'll just be because he's coming back from a major injury and Carrick rates people ahead of him.

He's only ever made the side because of injuries and suspensions under Carrick.

Last season he got his first start under Carrick because Lenihan was injured.
Then he kept his place because Fry got sent off and suspended in the next match, and then Fry got injured for the remainder of the season.

This season he started at right back because Smith was injured, lost his place when he came back, but then Lenihan got injured for the season and he came back in at CB and VDB was moved out right, before he picked up an injury himself.
Then Smith on coming back got injured for the rest of the season and VDB remained out right.

Fry got injured for two matches, so he stayed at CB when Dijksteel got his first start of the season against Preston, and he then got injured in the next match against Leeds.

He kept his place whilst there were no other available options.

By the time McNair was fit again, we had a new right back and Matt Clarke was back up to full fitness.
 
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uncle_rico said:
He's been on the bench for the last couple of weeks, but can't remember him even warming up.

Doesn't look like there's any sign of him featuring for us, which is a shame because he's a better defender than Dael Fry. There's also a case for playing him CM, as he's a better midfielder than Dan Barlaser.

Wonder if we're not playing him due to having to pay him bonuses if he does play?
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He’s on 195 appearances for the club I think so not sure where a bonus would kick in? Or an automatic contract extension. He was playing every week until pulling up at Elland Road.
 
I wouldn't be surprised if there's something at 200 appearances. With him being out of contract and the club seemingly not bothered about this season, no need to play him really. Plus he's not better than anyone playing in any of his positions. He isn't better than Fry, I don't know where this comes from.
 
viv_andersons_nana said:
He apparently ‘tweaked his back’ at Leeds United on December 2nd. I think he’s been on the bench once or twice since then? I can’t remember and haven’t checked yet. But it’s interesting that Carrick was playing him every week before his injury and then he’s just out of the picture. Is he still injured? And is it a Coburn-style injury where he could play if needed but it’s probably best to leave it if you can.

It does seem a bit odd at the moment. I don’t remember Boro carrying so many apparently half-fit players in all the time I’ve been watching us.
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He's been on the bench for the last few matches
 
I think it is clear that Carrick just doesn't rate him very highly as he is a distress selection for him.
Whether he should be just that in this squad is debatable.
But whether he should get a new fairly expensive contract is also debatable.
I think he's better than Clarke or Lenihan.
 
uncle_rico said:
He's been on the bench for the last couple of weeks, but can't remember him even warming up.

Doesn't look like there's any sign of him featuring for us, which is a shame because he's a better defender than Dael Fry. There's also a case for playing him CM, as he's a better midfielder than Dan Barlaser.

Wonder if we're not playing him due to having to pay him bonuses if he does play?
Click to expand...
He's definitely been warming up. Think he's just seen as cover defensively at the moment
 
I'd hazard a guess that he wasn't playing during late dec/Jan as we were probably trying to facilitate a transfer in the window. Obviously that didnt happen so we are now in a position where we know he will be off in the summer, so he will probably only play if we need him too.

Seems pointless playing him ahead of clarke/fry/RVB who should all be here next season.
 
MickaelDebevePhenomenal said:
I'd hazard a guess that he wasn't playing during late dec/Jan as we were probably trying to facilitate a transfer in the window. Obviously that didnt happen so we are now in a position where we know he will be off in the summer, so he will probably only play if we need him too.

Seems pointless playing him ahead of clarke/fry/RVB who should all be here next season.
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That’s my thoughts too. He’s clearly a better ‘footballing CB’ than fry but as he’s likely off in the summer and Fry will be captain, so I don’t think we see him start again (barring injury)
 
As I said, Carrick just fancies others more than him.

Yet another bout of injuries and he's starting.
 
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