James McCarthy

[LinekersLegs]

I think Besic's development will alleviate McCarthy to get forward more than Barry playing further back in the holding/middle 'cb' role.

On your first point though: yes, he does have a lot to think about and weigh up before he can make the decision to get on the ball and stride foreword, definitely. But he's been here over 12 months and I can barely think of more than a handful of times he's stepped up with real intent. He must have had a lot more opportunities than that to carry the ball. It's seems strange to use the word timid with regard to McCarthy - but he is in terms of having the confidence to turn away from a sideways pass and be more direct with a forward run. At Wigan he did it more than he has here (and he does it with RoI), so there's no question he has it in his locker.

At wigan he often had 3 CBs behind him so a bit more defensive solidity ( at least in theory!). From the games I've seen for Ireland he's sometimes been played more as a 10 or at least with less defensive responsibility with the other midfielders covering him. Ideally it is something he'll develop but not too stressed if he doesn't - we have lots of attacking intent on other areas of the pitch including fullbacks. He's saved so many games with a last minute slide tackle that add up to far more than a couple of goals the other end of the pitch.

Also think he's a but nervous

 

[Lids1978]

was everywhere again today. superb. luvs a good ould rant at the ref as well lol

 

[FTY]

Commentator:

''Whenever there's trouble in these parts the Everton players don't call 999, they call 16''.

 

[BluePeadar]

he is Legend.

 

[Pabbers]

Man crush , he is just bossness

 

[BluePeadar]

Man crush , he is just bossness

turbo uber mega ultra bossness!
i might be going slightly overboard

 

[Bilko]

Class

 

[n01efc]

MoM for me tonight

 

[Del]

Love the lad

16m is a frigging snip

 

[LinekersLegs]

Whenever Lille even thought about doing a counter attack, there was McCarthy doing a fantastic tackle to stop them. Brilliant lad both on and off the field.

 

[ArtetaMoney]

MoTM again tonight, he's boss

 

[Donald Twain]

Everything I like in a player!

 

[Michaelcoyb]

For me, the tidiest player in terms of winning and keeping possession we have had in a long time.

 

[thirdmantackle]

does everything so well.
he won some 20:80 balls without even sticking his foot in

 

[formerly manx toffee]

::stands and applauds::