yet when he has played in the holding role for Ireland he's been superb, and equally so when played in a box-to-box role in a 4-1-4-1 for us...
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
- Status
yet when he has played in the holding role for Ireland he's been superb, and equally so when played in a box-to-box role in a 4-1-4-1 for us...
Sorry but no, he was utter rank last season when he attempted to play box to box.
No you have called that wrong. McCarthy is paired with Glen Whelan for Ireland. Whelan doesn't have any attacking play in his locker, he is simply a competent stopper in midfield. For me, Dunphy et all expect James to then be the attacking foil to Whelan and this just isn't his game at all. When paired with the more attacking Hendrick he excelled in breaking up play, tracking runners and just laying ball off. He just seems to get the flack for the whole team and it's unjustified. I expect nothing more from Dunphy though, he will willingly destroy a player to court publicity and stay topical.
i agree when it was in a 4-2-3-1 and he was starting deeper next to Barry, but on the (albeit rare under RM) occasions when it was a 4-1-4-1 last season (and the season before that), he looked good and could use his energy and bit of pace to press high and make those third-man runs he's actually very good at.
Also, I'm not saying Witsel isn't better, a I think he is, but I just don't think people should be so quick to want rid of McCarthy either, is all...
As a DM McCarthy is a cracking player, but it seems as tho Koeman wants people who can play a bit in the middle of the park.
bluestevon
Player Valuation: £80m
Think my thinking is a sfollows mate, McCarthy whilst taking stick from us - is still a player who will have suitors for should we bring in players ahead of him, and for a very decent price as well, can see someone paying 20m or so for him in the current climate, and that's way too good to turn down for what he currently brings to us
Certainly looks that way. I see Carvalho as a bigger threat to McCarthy that Witsel for that very reason.
D
Deleted member 24970
Guest
People talking about selling James McCarthy to accomodate a 70's bush headed belgian, who is actually doing the same thing Romelu and Kev have been slated for over the last two years - using us as a stepping stone or a fall back option if their desires arent fulfilled elsewhere lollollol
The lad prefers Italy by most accounts so lets just swerve the blag fellaini wannabe and look at other options, richly bazoer for example.
The lad prefers Italy by most accounts so lets just swerve the blag fellaini wannabe and look at other options, richly bazoer for example.
bluestevon
Player Valuation: £80m
Problem with Barry and McCarthy is we ended up having to play both as - fundamentally both had major weaknesses in their game that the other covered for, hopefully Koeman has seen that - and seems like so from the outside with his targets
Koeman has seen that, hence us hopefully about to sign Carvalho and Witsel.
Pretty sure hes seen everything we as a fanbase saw last season.
We need quality in the middle of the park, we need somebody who can head a ball at the back, we need a keeper and we need touches and competition in other areas, but more importantly we need to learn how to defend.
As I say, Koeman will have seen all that, cos he doesnt strike me as a complete moron.
D
Deleted member 24970
Guest
Glenn Whelan
yeh. Yesterday he started with Besic holding and Gibbo and Dowell ahead of him, but it was pretty clear Gibson didn't have the legs to play that position, and in the second half he actually moved back with Besic playing ahead of him alongside Barkley.
I think McCarthy can do either of those roles, but does have a tendency to go missing at times when he is kind of stuck in between, so I just suppose it's down to Koeman's opinion of him at the end of the day.
stamullenblue
Player Valuation: £25m
4/9 now with sky bet to sign. Happening !
tadao
Player Valuation: £25m
Mata was 1/6 the other week, not now.
It doesn't take much to make those types of market change.
- Status