Speaking exclusively to BOYLE Sports , former Ireland midfielder and Championship footballer Jeff Hendrick, discusses James McClean and even reveals his former teammate wanted him to join Wrexham!
Hendrick gives his thoughts on the Championship promotion race praising Coventry City and the work done by Frank Lampard since his appointment and the strength in depth that the Leicester squad has.
Elsewhere, the former Derby County star speaks candidly about the struggles of his former club and speaks about the appointment of John Eustace being the exact man to steer the club away from the relegation zone.
James McClean
James McClean
He's not been starting much lately. I actually texted him, saying, ‘Are you getting too old to be starting now?’ He wasn't happy, typical James McClean, always biting back.
But James has played in the Premier League, Championship, and League One. He knows what it's all about, with over 100 games for Ireland. He has that experience. Believe it or not, he's not what people think; he's actually quite quiet and calm.
He trains really hard, of course, but he enjoys having fun around the training ground. So, it'll be great for the younger lads coming into the squad, or those who haven't played in the competitions or leagues he has.
They'll definitely learn a lot, especially from how he conducts himself and how hard he works. James is maybe 36, and I'd be surprised if there's a harder-working player at Wrexham right now.
I think he will keep driving those standards. As I said, older players might not be vocal or shouting, but they have a certain aura. People keep an eye on them, watching what they're doing, wanting to learn from them. I think that will help push the squad.
James Wanted Me At Wrexham!
I can't recall exactly when it was, but I remember James [McClean] asked me if I was able to leave Sheffield Wednesday. I told him I didn't think so, and he suggested I come to Wrexham. However, that was just him pushing for it.
James was keen, but the offer never came from the manager or the club itself. If it had, it might have been interesting for me because I wasn't playing, and I was eager to get back on the pitch.
I was probably a bit angry about the situation I was in, and it would have been a relief to leave. It would have been great to be part of Wrexham's promotion. But no, nothing came of it.
Misfits
McClean Meets Misfits: Would he beat KSI?
He's really committed. I think he dedicates as many hours to boxing as he does to football. Honestly, as I touched on earlier, his work rate is incredible, and he's quite skilled.
Don't get me wrong, I've seen him; he posts on Instagram enough that I think the whole world has seen him. And he's hungry, calling people out for a fight.
But I don't know, he won't like me for saying this, but he's quite light. I don't know if his punches would hurt anyone, especially if they're a bit bigger than him. So I suppose we just have to make the fight happen and see what he can do.
Him fighting KSI would sell some tickets, but mostly because of KSI!
Coventry City
Coventry City
I'm not surprised at all by Coventry. I've seen them over the last few years, especially playing in the Championship. They've been a really impressive club. Some of the players they've had have moved on to better things; they've just kept bringing in players and producing them. They're really good.
They've been that club who's been close over the last few years. And for them to bring in Frank Lampard, I think he is a brilliant manager. I love what he's done at Derby, even at Chelsea. It didn't work out for him completely, but the style of play he has, I'm sure he's like any top player, the demands he has and the knowledge he has of the game.
So for them to get him is incredible. It doesn't surprise me. I remember looking at the table and thinking, ‘Who could get promoted or who would be in and amongst it?’ Coventry are the only standout. I don't see any other team; I suppose it's between eight or nine teams who can string a run of wins together. But for me, I think they'll be in the top two.
Promotion Race
Promotion Race
I think Coventry ad potentially Leicester have good enough squads. Some have been promoted, some have been at good clubs, and they have good players. However, I don't know if they're going to string five wins in a row together, and I don't know if anyone else will, like Middlesbrough or any other contenders.
They started off well, but now they've dropped down a little bit. I think Coventry is the main one for me; nobody else has really impressed me from the games I've watched. Some might disagree, but you've got to be able to put five or six wins in a row together, or go ten games unbeaten, because you will get a difficult patch.
Sometimes it's around Christmas, sometimes it's February or March, and you think, No, we've messed it up.’ But I don't know who else will match Coventry.
Derby
Derby
It's nice to see them back in the Championship. John Eustace taking the role was massive. Blackburn were fourth or fifth, and for them to take Derby, who were rock bottom, was a bit of a statement.
He must have been guaranteed a bit of money this summer, which it looks like they were, because they brought in some good players. But maybe a bit of security as well, where no matter what, you're going to be in the role for a couple of years.
Obviously, it suits him to be closer to his family. But yeah, I'd like to see them do well. It's a club that gave me my start, and I had so many good years there. I want to see them doing well, pushing up the table, and getting back to when I was there.
We were one of the top teams in the Championship, and it got to the stage where clubs hated coming up against us on a weekend because we were one of the dominant teams in the league, and I don't think the club is at that level right now.
Eustie was a part of that when we were the dominant team. He'd love for the club to be there, but it just takes time. They had a big turnover of players this year, where a lot were left, contracts were out, and he had to bring in a lot of players, so it does take time.
I think it'll be okay, knowing him as a manager and how hard he works, the hours he puts in. Even going back there for seven weeks last year, I'd stay up a few nights a week.
So the night after I stayed over, I'd be in quite early. I was just staying in the hotel, so I'd get in, get a lot of work done, but he was in, honestly, from half five, six in the morning, to six in the evening, like every day.
So the detail he was going through to prepare the lads was incredible, and it gave me a little bit of insight into what you have to do to be a successful manager or coach. So I'm sure they won't be in any trouble of going down. Don't get me wrong, they need to win a couple more games to feel a little bit more comfortable. Like you said, I'd like to see them up a bit higher in the table.
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