A rumour spouted by a Mackem in the pub last night was that midfield hardman/dorty tw*t GMc is sick of the shambles that is Sunlun. Has he the quality for us?
If this is not bollox but true I find it interesting that a much improved, indeed a international player thinks it's time to split.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

Answers

Oh no, not another Gav thread.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

Mccan you believe it!!!

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

Yes

I always tried to persuade mackem friends that McCann was to their first year up what Robert Lee was to ours. He works hard, seems to get in the box and could be decent in a side that actaully uses its midfield

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

Certainly is, another good player being ruined by the sad style that Reid thrashes out.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

He's got the highest number of fouls in the league.

Not entirely convinced about him. It's true that Sun'lun's game involves booting the ball OVER McCann, not through him, so we haven't really seen what he can do.

No doubt Leeds will buy him.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

He'd probably improve our central m/f somewhat, but isn't really the class that we should be looking for, imo.

-- Anonymous, November 30, 2001

Seems he has now submitted a formal transfer request. Despite signing a 5 year contract 18 months ago, he apparently wants a pay rise to recognise his international status.

It is likely SAFC will turn down his request, unless or until they have a replacement (Reyna?), and if they let him go it will be for ca. £4mm.

Despite what I said earlier, he would probably be a good buy for £4mm.

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001

£4m is a very good buy, especially when you consider players like Lampard have gone for £12m (still hard to believe, that one)

Lampard is in no way 3 times better than McCann, and although he's not in Vieira's league, he'd still be a good signing.

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001

There's also speculation that Liverpool are eyeing Phillips to replace Fowler.

Let's hope this diverts the spotlights to the less salubrious region of the NE football scene.

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001

Sunderland would go down without those two.

-- Anonymous, December 01, 2001