James McCarthy

[argietoffee]

A bit harsh. I thought he was tidy but certainly not spectacular.

Both goals were made in Goodison !!! McCarthy to Geads and Seamus to Geads although the 2nd was all down to Geads. Lovely to see them hugging at the end.

Ireland's best players are all toffees
Happy days as an Irish Toffee

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

He's not been up to last seasons standards yet for me, looking a bit tired towards the end of games still and not closing down when he should be. Having said that, Barry, Jagielka and Distin haven't been much better, need the middle of the park to improve significantly.

 

[AndyZ]

He's not been up to last seasons standards yet for me, looking a bit tired towards the end of games still and not closing down when he should be. Having said that, Barry, Jagielka and Distin haven't been much better, need the middle of the park to improve significantly.

Hazard blew by him for the Coleman OG and then he failed to track Ramires off the one-two that led to his goal. With Jags and Distin being heavily criticized on here, I only think it's right that McCarthy gets his fair share.

 

[Dozbik]

It is a bit outlandish to give a new contract to a player who has four years left on his, but I guess this is the new policy of the board to immediately react to an array of good performances. I'm sure we all thought he'd play an important role, but he's fit in absolutely perfectly and has become a key player. That's probably the reason behind this contract extension to make him feel like one. I'm confident that after so many quality transfers and the others extending, his talks will be successful and his signature is just a question of time.

 

[Raymondo077]

Regardless of the improved contract, is,nt it a statement that the player is happy to play for us?
We are a team on the up. And everyone at this club can sense it .

 

[EFC78]

Regardless of the improved contract, is,nt it a statement that the player is happy to play for us?
We are a team on the up. And everyone at this club can sense it .

Well said. And if we didn't have the money to give these improved contracts, I don't think Bill would allow it. Clearly we have the money to do it, so I don't see why people are bothered.

It can only be good to get a quality young player to sign a new contract. Martinez is looking to the future and it's great to see.

 

[Christiffa25]

It's doing things like this that help you keep the player when the bigger teams come calling with the bigger wages in the future.

 

[Swartzy]

Whats going on with miralles and a new contract as everyone else seems to be getting one and he’s the one thats actually gonna be needing one

 

[Professor Toffee]

Well said. And if we didn't have the money to give these improved contracts, I don't think Bill would allow it. Clearly we have the money to do it, so I don't see why people are bothered.

It can only be good to get a quality young player to sign a new contract. Martinez is looking to the future and it's great to see.

Absulutely, just need Jimmy Mac and Kevin to sign. We have great strength in depth in young players, exciting times

 

[Professor Toffee]

Whats going on with miralles and a new contract as everyone else seems to be getting one and he’s the one thats actually gonna be needing one

Yeah does anone know whats going on with Kev, it seems most odd. I assume he has been offered a contract as Bobby has hardly forgotten him!
Maybe he wants a good run in a European Competition?

 

[Eggs]

A bit harsh. I thought he was tidy but certainly not spectacular.

Both goals were made in Goodison !!! McCarthy to Geads and Seamus to Geads although the 2nd was all down to Geads. Lovely to see them hugging at the end.

Happy days as an Irish Toffee

...played a slightly different type of role for me. The lads alongside were the workhorses (and put in a terrific shift). I've not seen him as high up the pitch for us, have a look at the number of crosses coming in where he was actually in the box. I reckon O'Neil sees him more as the playmaker and he certainly has that dimension to his game.

 

[blueboy1945]

Regardless of the improved contract, is,nt it a statement that the player is happy to play for us?
We are a team on the up. And everyone at this club can sense it .

Only if he signs it.

 

[mrb85]

...played a slightly different type of role for me. The lads alongside were the workhorses (and put in a terrific shift). I've not seen him as high up the pitch for us, have a look at the number of crosses coming in where he was actually in the box. I reckon O'Neil sees him more as the playmaker and he certainly has that dimension to his game.

Correct. His 'Everton' role was played by the WBA guy (can't remember his name).

 

[SpurtingLesbian]

I think they were almost trying to use him as a deep number 10, someone who can keep the ball on the edge of their area and make a good decision bringing others into the game. Also helped by putting pressure on the ball further up the pitch so much so they ended up bypassing the midfield by lumping long balls up to their handy looking right winger.

 

[squonk]

Correct. His 'Everton' role was played by the WBA guy (can't remember his name).

Glen Whelan played on his own in front of the back 4 with Macca and Quinn further forward. You could see that he wasn't quite used to it as he didn't see as much of the ball, but if he hadn't played there he would not have been in the position he was to slip it through to McGeady for the first goal. Although it looked a bit disjointed at times it was a good tactic by O'Neill as it stopped the opposition coming out. May work better against the Germans.