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Whilst the main story is about his reasons for refusing to wear a poppy, these caught my attention:
“But there were also games where I thought I was coming up against a physical strength that I found suspicious. Coming back into the Premier League after a break convinced me that some players had to be benefiting from some kind of performance-enhancing support.
“I remember coming up against one player that I’d encountered at Sunderland who I always felt that I’d been able to match in terms of his speed and power. While I’d been away from the Premier League, he’d gone to a bigger club, and now he was a different animal completely.”
His time in the PL was very recent, and those are pretty startling allegations. Maybe he's a maverick, or mainstream media don't want to kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
Not sure it's that unlikely that someone could progress, even later in their career.
Bigger clubs spend more on the minor details. At a big club you can probably be as fit and athletic as you want to be.
It's also a bit convenient to throw this out at this time when he usually gets a lot of stick. I don't think he should get any stick. If it's not optional it's meaningless but there will always be that element who want to go on the attack.
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James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 11:43 - Nov 3 with 1581 views
James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 11:19 - Nov 3 by Guthrum
Are players not regularly tested?
Not remotely, no. It pales into insignificance compared to other sports. Incredibly, players are also given a heads up by the testers when they are coming - a situation negotiated by the PFA. Having worked in elite cycling, where the public perception is 'almost certainly cheating' but seen how rigorous the work (and testing regimen) is, compared to almost the opposite sentiment and testing in football, it's always made me wonder.
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James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 11:48 - Nov 3 with 1541 views
James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 11:43 - Nov 3 by gsoly
Not remotely, no. It pales into insignificance compared to other sports. Incredibly, players are also given a heads up by the testers when they are coming - a situation negotiated by the PFA. Having worked in elite cycling, where the public perception is 'almost certainly cheating' but seen how rigorous the work (and testing regimen) is, compared to almost the opposite sentiment and testing in football, it's always made me wonder.
It's always the cycling enthusiasts who want talk down the testing in football...
No advance warning according to the FA. They can turn up anywhere at any time including when players are on holiday.
I have thought the same about the Premier League in general, especially a certain monster up top for Manchester City who could be footballs own Lance Armstrong. While diet and training is better, if you look at the footballer of today compared to even 10 years ago, the improvements are sometimes a little unbelievable at times, even for players at mid-Premier League sides.
James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 11:43 - Nov 3 by gsoly
Not remotely, no. It pales into insignificance compared to other sports. Incredibly, players are also given a heads up by the testers when they are coming - a situation negotiated by the PFA. Having worked in elite cycling, where the public perception is 'almost certainly cheating' but seen how rigorous the work (and testing regimen) is, compared to almost the opposite sentiment and testing in football, it's always made me wonder.
The amount of skulduggery in this field in other sports is incredible.
For most 'substances', it's not that they are banned, it's that you can only have a certain amount in your body. So everyone tries to get as close to the threshold as they can through any means. Marginal gains, if you will.
For instance, one of those 'substances' might only be available through a certain type of medication, say Asthma medication. If an athlete is then diagnosed with that medical condition, they can then access that medication. So a friendly doctor gives them a diagnosis.
A lot of the time, supplement are being administered under the guise of it being for a medical need. When really it artificially allows for more air in your lungs or greater blood flow or something similar. This is prevalent in running, cycling etc.
James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 11:43 - Nov 3 by gsoly
Not remotely, no. It pales into insignificance compared to other sports. Incredibly, players are also given a heads up by the testers when they are coming - a situation negotiated by the PFA. Having worked in elite cycling, where the public perception is 'almost certainly cheating' but seen how rigorous the work (and testing regimen) is, compared to almost the opposite sentiment and testing in football, it's always made me wonder.
The FA guidance contradicts the view that players have notice.
Full guidance here for anyone who wants to dig into the details:
You need to factor in the competitions and governing bodies which add complexity as UCI own doping regulations in cycling while football will vary at National (English FA), Regional (UEFA) and Global levels (FIFA).
Cycling testing is run via the International Test Agency on UCIs behalf, and based on ITAs own data, roughtly 1000 professional riders are tested 4 times per year on average more for the bigger names and especially before major events. In-competition testing comes on top.
Fior example at the Tour, every rider is tested at the start, and the stage winner and yellow jersey are tested every day, with others drawn at random. National agencies can test riders as well. For the stars it goes much higher: Astana’s team doctor claimed at one stage that the top riders were tested at least 50 times a year, though that figure comes from a team rather than the testers.
Now compare that to football side by side.
Championship Player - once every year or two Average PL Player - one to three times per season Champions League / International - six to ten a year Ordinary World Tour domestique 10 to 15 a year Grand Tour contender - several dozen a year.
So a typical rider and an elite international footballer are closer than the reputations suggest. The difference is that cycling tests its whole professional peloton at that level, whereas football’s high numbers are confined to a small group of players at the top who happen to fall under several testing programmes at once.
A rider is also obliged to give individual whereabouts for unannounced testing all year. Teams, as UCI rules require, file training and racing schedules months in advance. Cycling’s coverage is wider than football’s more than it is deeper.
[Post edited 3 Nov 13:19]
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James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 12:59 - Nov 3 with 1091 views
James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 11:43 - Nov 3 by gsoly
Not remotely, no. It pales into insignificance compared to other sports. Incredibly, players are also given a heads up by the testers when they are coming - a situation negotiated by the PFA. Having worked in elite cycling, where the public perception is 'almost certainly cheating' but seen how rigorous the work (and testing regimen) is, compared to almost the opposite sentiment and testing in football, it's always made me wonder.
This isn’t remotely true - the PFA did oppose players being tested at home as an invasion of player privacy but the FA retain the right to test at any time or anywhere - but typically it’s at the training grounds or at the stadium immediately after a match.
Drug testing is totally random and each player on average gets tested a few times per season and they are not notified prior - players have to go there and then. Think there’s a Roy Keane story of him being a knob whilst manager here when he criticised the players by taking the micky out of a drug tester who was seating in the dressing room (saying that they weren’t fit to collect piss for a living which embarrassed the person).
A failure to comply is seen as failing the test.
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James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 13:00 - Nov 3 with 1081 views
James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 13:00 - Nov 3 by MattinLondon
You don’t get jumped on - you post far-right content which is totally false with posters holding you to account.
I was talking about drugs in sport.
I’ve posted loads of different things about the subject over the years, but as soon as I mention drugs in football everyone covers their ears and shouts “ not listening “
James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 13:09 - Nov 3 by BelsteadCav
I was talking about drugs in sport.
I’ve posted loads of different things about the subject over the years, but as soon as I mention drugs in football everyone covers their ears and shouts “ not listening “
James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 13:09 - Nov 3 by BelsteadCav
I was talking about drugs in sport.
I’ve posted loads of different things about the subject over the years, but as soon as I mention drugs in football everyone covers their ears and shouts “ not listening “
Some um, friends did a bit of research on drugs at football in the mid 90,s in order to further our scientific understanding of the issue.
Their conclusion was drugs at football are good
[Post edited 3 Nov 13:39]
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James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 13:44 - Nov 3 with 730 views
James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 11:59 - Nov 3 by ITFC_Essex
I have thought the same about the Premier League in general, especially a certain monster up top for Manchester City who could be footballs own Lance Armstrong. While diet and training is better, if you look at the footballer of today compared to even 10 years ago, the improvements are sometimes a little unbelievable at times, even for players at mid-Premier League sides.
Haaland has been a freak from an early age going throught the age groups to prem, his progress has been linear, he has not suddenly transformed from a carthorse into a racehorse. Unfair to bring him up. Completely unique athlete.
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James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 13:55 - Nov 3 with 661 views
I would not be surprised at all if there is serious PEDS taken at high level football, Mudryk, Pogba, Onana in recent times, but even going back further.
Neville and Keane made reference to it on the podcast they were suspicious particularly in European competitions, ironically Stam, Edgar Davids and Kanu were all banned for using the same drug whilst all playing for Italian clubs. Pep Guardiola was banned for using the same drug.
It's the Victor Conte curse, its an arms race of who can take what that's currently undetectable until it becomes detectable.
Without naming teams, I have serious suspicions when you see certain players/teams that look like they haven't broken sweat going into the final 15 minutes of games, and are consistently at that level game after game.
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James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 14:09 - Nov 3 with 609 views
James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 12:45 - Nov 3 by Devereuxxx
The amount of skulduggery in this field in other sports is incredible.
For most 'substances', it's not that they are banned, it's that you can only have a certain amount in your body. So everyone tries to get as close to the threshold as they can through any means. Marginal gains, if you will.
For instance, one of those 'substances' might only be available through a certain type of medication, say Asthma medication. If an athlete is then diagnosed with that medical condition, they can then access that medication. So a friendly doctor gives them a diagnosis.
A lot of the time, supplement are being administered under the guise of it being for a medical need. When really it artificially allows for more air in your lungs or greater blood flow or something similar. This is prevalent in running, cycling etc.
Rumours for years that players Liverpool sign suddenly are diagnosed with asthma so they're able to take the banned substances. Without looking in to it was Jordan Henderson at Sunderland at a similar time? If so he would have been a lot younger and not as physically developed anyway.
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James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 14:13 - Nov 3 with 577 views
James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 13:55 - Nov 3 by itfcsuth
I would not be surprised at all if there is serious PEDS taken at high level football, Mudryk, Pogba, Onana in recent times, but even going back further.
Neville and Keane made reference to it on the podcast they were suspicious particularly in European competitions, ironically Stam, Edgar Davids and Kanu were all banned for using the same drug whilst all playing for Italian clubs. Pep Guardiola was banned for using the same drug.
It's the Victor Conte curse, its an arms race of who can take what that's currently undetectable until it becomes detectable.
Without naming teams, I have serious suspicions when you see certain players/teams that look like they haven't broken sweat going into the final 15 minutes of games, and are consistently at that level game after game.
Better teams do not have to work as hard as teams that have to chase the game. Has always been the case, whether it was ITFC in 1980 or Man City in 2025. It is an important factor. The energy saved by keeping the ball is immense. Reason individuals get caught is because it is being done rashly on an individual basis. I doubt there is wholesale doping, would be so difficult to keep quiet and so high risk. Sports science has advanced so much there is legalized doping anyway. The old methods are passe and crude.
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James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 14:23 - Nov 3 with 505 views
James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 14:13 - Nov 3 by mellowblue
Better teams do not have to work as hard as teams that have to chase the game. Has always been the case, whether it was ITFC in 1980 or Man City in 2025. It is an important factor. The energy saved by keeping the ball is immense. Reason individuals get caught is because it is being done rashly on an individual basis. I doubt there is wholesale doping, would be so difficult to keep quiet and so high risk. Sports science has advanced so much there is legalized doping anyway. The old methods are passe and crude.
I've not mentioned, nor thinking about or referring to teams that just dominate the football in possession.
I think you missed my point, I'm thinking more about undetected before being detected, very much like the Victor Conte methods of working.
As you rightfully say, sports science has come so so far now.
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James McClean allegations - haven't heard much debate about these on 14:50 - Nov 3 with 428 views
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