At his level of development, he shouldn't be considered an automatic starter when fit. It can diminish his need to work hard and can chip away at his attitude.
Problem is, we don't have many options but McNeill should have started last night after his goal.
He needs to do far more in terms of consistency, discipline, and application. He isn't good enough to be starting every week at the moment. The whole Chelsea business has affected him too no doubt when it seemed that that level of recognition for doing comparatively very little might be handed to him on a plate. And probably too his goals against Leeds and Brentford resulted in inflated expectations.
He has to earn it. Equally he has to be managed with care.
