James McCarthy

[LinekersLegs]

I didn't mean that in a super negative away, I know he's lacking match practice at the moment, there's no doubt he'll get back to holding the ball as well as he did last season.

Tbh he gave the ball away a lot last season as well, it is one of the things he needs to work on. Probably also the reason why he is still largely played as an attacking midfielder with Barry/McCarthy behind him to tidy up rather than the CM role that Roberto says he sees as his eventual best position.

But Martinez is pretty relaxed about young players making mistakes like giving away possesion, one of the reasons Barkley has seen more game time than he ever would have under Moyes, Hodgson and probably Mourinho too.

 

[MartSlinger]

We've went from Osman, Neville, Heitinga and Fellaini getting regular games in midfield to McCarthy, Barry, Besic and Barkley in the space of 18 months.

 

[davek]

Tbh he gave the ball away a lot last season as well, it is one of the things he needs to work on. Probably also the reason why he is still largely played as an attacking midfielder with Barry/McCarthy behind him to tidy up rather than the CM role that Roberto says he sees as his eventual best position.

But Martinez is pretty relaxed about young players making mistakes like giving away possesion, one of the reasons Barkley has seen more game time than he ever would have under Moyes, Hodgson and probably Mourinho too.

That's a two way street, imo. He does get caught with the ball, but his sheer physical presence and ground coverage are essential in providing a first line of defence for Barry and McCarthy to get behind and mop up. Until his return, those two had been getting overrun this season.

 

[Furey1878]

It's good ebough to qualify for a top 4 place with without a shadow of a doubt. Also, have you seen some of the utter ***** in that competition?!

 

[LinekersLegs]

That's a two way street, imo. He does get caught with the ball, but his sheer physical presence and ground coverage are essential in providing a first line of defence for Barry and McCarthy to get behind and mop up. Until his return, those two had been getting overrun this season.

Agree, in particular the way he can pick the ball up by our box and quickly drive it to the opponents box means that their CBs and defensive midfielder don't push as high up the pitch as they are far more nervous of getting caught out on the break, all of which reduces the pressure on us. But when it doesn't work out it we can be a bit vulnerable.

By the end of last season you could see that he was making fewer possesion mistakes and better pass/shoot decisions, hope he continues his rapid progress in both as he'll be superb!

 

[Saint Domingo]

Agree, in particular the way he can pick the ball up by our box and quickly drive it to the opponents box means that their CBs and defensive midfielder don't push as high up the pitch as they are far more nervous of getting caught out on the break, all of which reduces the pressure on us. But when it doesn't work out it we can be a bit vulnerable.

By the end of last season you could see that he was making fewer possesion mistakes and better pass/shoot decisions, hope he continues his rapid progress in both as he'll be superb!

Players like Barkley and Pienaar will always give it away more, they are going gor the riskier passes or dribbles all the time. Barry and McCarthy just play easy balls. Martinez wants the creativity to come from the three behind the striker and the gull backs not the holding mids.

 

[Boss_Blue]

and the gull backs

 

[LinekersLegs]

Players like Barkley and Pienaar will always give it away more, they are going gor the riskier passes or dribbles all the time. Barry and McCarthy just play easy balls. Martinez wants the creativity to come from the three behind the striker and the gull backs not the holding mids.

Agree that creative players like Barkley & Pienaar are always likely to give the ball away more, even at their peak, but feel you do McCarthy and Barry a touch of a disservice to say all they do are "easy" balls.

Barry in particular can make some superb passes, both short and long that open up the opposition.

 

[bicycleheader]

this thread should always be first page.

man of the match for me today. really tried to keep us going

 

[davek]

Had to be dragged away by Eto'o from the ref.

Ha Ha.

We need more of that fire.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

Would probably be able to control a game if he'd attack space when he's on the ball. Maybe, some day.

 

[LinekersLegs]

this thread should always be first page.

man of the match for me today. really tried to keep us going

Mine too. The way he did a one two pass with Baines (?) whilst clearly directing exactly where he wanted the ball played back was great.

Barry dropping back to CB gave him an opportunity to step up to a leadship role as think he sometimes defers to Gareth a bit too much.

 

[davek]

Would probably be able to control a game if he'd attack space when he's on the ball. Maybe, some day.

Big, big hole in his game that. I've seen him take that on in the RoI team a few times, but the PL holds some fear for him. I cant believe his manager doesn't want him to try it.

 

[hetion]

Mine too. The way he did a one two pass with Baines (?) whilst clearly directing exactly where he wanted the ball played back was great.

Barry dropping back to CB gave him an opportunity to step up to a leadship role as think he sometimes defers to Gareth a bit too much.

That run was fabulous. He looked like an in-form Barkley doing that. Would love to see more of it.

 

[Verbal Kint]

Wish the rest showed his determination and drive going forward. Barkley could learn a thing or 2 from him in this regard. Too many touches from Ross today when he had the ball, sometimes just best to put the head down and drive at defenders and look to shoot when the chance arises.