James McCarthy

[ijjysmith]

We will play 2 DMs.

We always do. But hopefully Martinez will continue to let one of them go forward a bit as McCarthy started to at the end of last season.

 

[marty mcfly]

He's the first name on the team sheet when fit mate. Cleverley has been brought in to play on the left at first I feel, and act as back up for all of the midfield positions. Barry and Besic will probably battle it out for that holding position, with Gibbo pretty much permanently crocked.

Barks will stay playing in the No.10 role for the majority of games - he may get moved deeper in times though I think that will then see us switch to a 4-1-4-1 formation. But none of that means McCarthy is to be sold.

He's got 3 years left on his current deal has he not? He will be offered a new deal - he should have been offered one sooner, but that doesn't mean that we are going to flog him. We'd never get enough money for him that would match his value to our team.

I agree with that but you can't play Deulofeu, Cleverly, Barkley, Besic/Barry, No10 and McCarthy.

Besic/Barry might get dropped for McCarthy but I just don't see it plus there's also Lennon/Mirallas to fit in.

I also think Martinez has a style of play he likes and we as s club need to balance the books.

personally I would like to see Besic, McCarthy and Barkley in a 3 too with cleverly out wide and Del to the right as our team stands but the window isn't closed.

 

[davids]

And the fabled No10?

 

[Dymak]

I'm quite confused, because it seems most Evertonians are happy with our central midfield, and not only that, but they seem to think our central midfield personnel are irreplaceable. We have literally had people ask where would Sergi Roberto fit in, as they must think Barry, McCarthy and Besic would keep him out of the team lol.

I can't agree with this attitude at all. I think our central midfield is bang average with next to no creativity whatsoever. Another season of Barry and McCarthy partnerships will see us remain in mid-table once again.

McCarthy is actually a very limited midfielder, but you would think he was Glen Hoddle the way some people go on. There is no need for anyone to worry about McCarthy leaving, as nobody would be stupid enough to pay the 20million pound plus that we would demand. I'd be absolutely mortified if Everton went out and spent over 20 million on a player like McCarthy.

For me, our central midfield needs improving big time. We may have a plethora of players who can play in that position, but they are all crap, and CM is the most important position on the pitch imo.

 

[Goat]

Sergei Roberto is utter pony.

If he was called Steve Roberts nobody would care.

And likeswise if we had Hames McCartinho nobody would be claiming hes rubbish.

 

[bluebud]

I'm quite confused, because it seems most Evertonians are happy with our central midfield, and not only that, but they seem to think our central midfield personnel are irreplaceable. We have literally had people ask where would Sergi Roberto fit in, as they must think Barry, McCarthy and Besic would keep him out of the team lol.

I can't agree with this attitude at all. I think our central midfield is bang average with next to no creativity whatsoever. Another season of Barry and McCarthy partnerships will see us remain in mid-table once again.

McCarthy is actually a very limited midfielder, but you would think he was Glen Hoddle the way some people go on. There is no need for anyone to worry about McCarthy leaving, as nobody would be stupid enough to pay the 20million pound plus that we would demand. I'd be absolutely mortified if Everton went out and spent over 20 million on a player like McCarthy.

For me, our central midfield needs improving big time. We may have a plethora of players who can play in that position, but they are all crap, and CM is the most important position on the pitch imo.

We got 72 points with them two in midfield in Roberto's first season.

 

[BlueToff]

I agree with that but you can't play Deulofeu, Cleverly, Barkley, Besic/Barry, No10 and McCarthy.

Besic/Barry might get dropped for McCarthy but I just don't see it plus there's also Lennon/Mirallas to fit in.

I also think Martinez has a style of play he likes and we as s club need to balance the books.

personally I would like to see Besic, McCarthy and Barkley in a 3 too with cleverly out wide and Del to the right as our team stands but the window isn't closed.

McCarthy is key to RM's system though mate. He's the first name on the team sheet in the midfield - the rest go in around him. And it's not a case of 'fitting them all in'. McCarthy for now will be the box-to-box(ish) [A classic 'No.8' - @MoutsGoat will like that] player we saw at the end of last season. Barry probably the first choice sitter [No.6]. Barks will play as the No.10 for the time being, if we say in a 4-2-3-1 formation. He will drop deeper if we play 4-1-4-1 (which basically becomes 4-3-3 in possession). Cleverley/the fabled playmaker will then play wide left, with Cleverley also able to fill in around the midfield (e.g. Osman) if needed. Besic will play second fiddle to Barry, though I expect him to have taken the No.6 position for himself by the end of the season.

Pienaar and Osman will be used as squad fodder, and for the odd half-hour or so, but will still have an effect. Gibson unfortunately looks done.

Del will play out wide right (primarily), with Lennon (if he comes) to compete with. I can see Kev leaving if a playmaker is brought in. If not he may stay and compete with Cleverley for a spot wide left deepening on how we are setting up in any said game.

 

[BlueToff]

I'm quite confused, because it seems most Evertonians are happy with our central midfield, and not only that, but they seem to think our central midfield personnel are irreplaceable. We have literally had people ask where would Sergi Roberto fit in, as they must think Barry, McCarthy and Besic would keep him out of the team lol.

I can't agree with this attitude at all. I think our central midfield is bang average with next to no creativity whatsoever. Another season of Barry and McCarthy partnerships will see us remain in mid-table once again.

McCarthy is actually a very limited midfielder, but you would think he was Glen Hoddle the way some people go on. There is no need for anyone to worry about McCarthy leaving, as nobody would be stupid enough to pay the 20million pound plus that we would demand. I'd be absolutely mortified if Everton went out and spent over 20 million on a player like McCarthy.

For me, our central midfield needs improving big time. We may have a plethora of players who can play in that position, but they are all crap, and CM is the most important position on the pitch imo.

McCarthy's only real limitation is lacking extraordinary passing. That's it. He was limited last year in getting forward by Martinez - once RM allowed him to go forward the goals and chances came for McCarthy.

I respect your opinion, but I fail to see how people can't understand how much he makes this team tick. He's the engine in midfield - none of the others have that, or even come close at the moment. He's also the player who will run 60 yards forward, but then be in position to make a block when needed.

Sergi Roberto is probably only better than Besic in regards to the three players of ours you mentioned - and even then they're different types of player so hard to compare.

 

[Stephenlloyd]

McCarthy is key to RM's system though mate. He's the first name on the team sheet in the midfield - the rest go in around him. And it's not a case of 'fitting them all in'. McCarthy for now will be the box-to-box(ish) [A classic 'No.8' - @MoutsGoat will like that] player we saw at the end of last season. Barry probably the first choice sitter [No.6]. Barks will play as the No.10 for the time being, if we say in a 4-2-3-1 formation. He will drop deeper if we play 4-1-4-1 (which basically becomes 4-3-3 in possession). Cleverley/the fabled playmaker will then play wide left, with Cleverley also able to fill in around the midfield (e.g. Osman) if needed. Besic will play second fiddle to Barry, though I expect him to have taken the No.6 position for himself by the end of the season.

Pienaar and Osman will be used as squad fodder, and for the odd half-hour or so, but will still have an effect. Gibson unfortunately looks done.

Del will play out wide right (primarily), with Lennon (if he comes) to compete with. I can see Kev leaving if a playmaker is brought in. If not he may stay and compete with Cleverley for a spot wide left deepening on how we are setting up in any said game.

McCarthy's not good enough for the number 8 role

Barkley should be given that role all next season
And if it takes him 2 years to full fill his potential in that possition then so be it

Martinez has talked about buying a number 10 so I wouldn't expect barkley to play there much next season

 

[sageyefc]

McCarthy's not good enough for the number 8 role

Barkley should be given that role all next season
And if it takes him 2 years to full fill his potential in that possition then so be it

Martinez has talked about buying a number 10 so I wouldn't expect barkley to play there much next season

Nonsense we cant have the entire team suffer just to aide the development of one player.

McCarthys perfectly fine in the role he plays, hes easily one of the top 3 players for us over the past 2 seasons.

 

[meagher94]

I'm quite confused, because it seems most Evertonians are happy with our central midfield, and not only that, but they seem to think our central midfield personnel are irreplaceable. We have literally had people ask where would Sergi Roberto fit in, as they must think Barry, McCarthy and Besic would keep him out of the team lol.

I can't agree with this attitude at all. I think our central midfield is bang average with next to no creativity whatsoever. Another season of Barry and McCarthy partnerships will see us remain in mid-table once again.

McCarthy is actually a very limited midfielder, but you would think he was Glen Hoddle the way some people go on. There is no need for anyone to worry about McCarthy leaving, as nobody would be stupid enough to pay the 20million pound plus that we would demand. I'd be absolutely mortified if Everton went out and spent over 20 million on a player like McCarthy.

For me, our central midfield needs improving big time. We may have a plethora of players who can play in that position, but they are all crap, and CM is the most important position on the pitch imo.

Martinez has already said Barry played much more than planned last season. On that basis I highly doubt he's gonna be immovable from the starting XI next season.

All of our central midfielders 'crap' though. I've heard it all now.

 

[Saint Domingo]

McCarthy shouldn't be used anywhere but defensive mid. If you want to control games and consistently win games against poor opposition then you need midfielders who can manipulate the ball and create chances for the wide players and strikers. In recent times only Pienaar Arteta Osman and Gibson have been able to do this.

Barry McCarthy worked ok in the first season because Martinez had Osman and Pienaar doing the creativity ahead of them. Fine if you want to play that way but as soon as you lose your creative wide men you're screwed (as seen this season).

Besic and Cleverley are the same type of players. They can do a job putting tackles in and retaining the ball but they will not play penetrating passes to set up goal scoring opportunities. How many goals did Barry Besic McCarthy or Barkley get last season? They're not good enough! Gibson and Osman would do a better job as the deep lying two. We used to share goals around the midfield with Arteta Osman and Cahill chipping in with a good number season on season. Now we're an injury to Lukaku and Stones away from a relegation battle. We have a midfield that doesn't score, barely makes an assist, and doesn't protect the defence (based on last season's defensive record), yet people are coming out saying Barry and McCarthy are vital and undroppable. Can someone please tell me what the hell they're doing for us which is so good because u really cannot see it. All this season has proven is our over reliance on two 35 year old playmakers and that Maryinez has no idea how to play without them. It doesn't matter how many blades of grass NcCarthy covers if he's only going to pass it backwards once he gets it.

 

[mythbuster]

Fine if you want to play that way but as soon as you lose your creative wide men you're screwed (as seen this season).

Err, yeah, that's generally how footy works. 'Lose' good players, and shockingly, the team might not be as good at footy.

Take out Messi from Barca = worse team.

Take out Ronaldo from Real = worse team

Silva from City, Hazard from Chelsea.... Need I go on?

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

We will play 2 DMs.

We always do. But hopefully Martinez will continue to let one of them go forward a bit as McCarthy started to at the end of last season.

Jones did come out and say that you don't always need as many defensive mids at home, I'm glad they've recognised that. Barkley and Mac against the park the bus teams and Barry/Besic and Mac against top teams, counter them.

 

[Stephenlloyd]

Nonsense we cant have the entire team suffer just to aide the development of one player.

McCarthys perfectly fine in the role he plays, hes easily one of the top 3 players for us over the past 2 seasons.

Your talking nonsense mate
He's the future of our team and has more talent in his bollokks than McCarthy

And as for team suffering to aide a players development
I would rather take that gamble on a talented kid than have some bang average player in our team( not saying this is McCarthy) playing for 5yrs week in week out
And getting us nowhere

Also we had a 20 yrs old CB playing a lot last seaon
Ok stones had a great season but he still made mistakes that costs us goals

Also lukaku scored 8 goals in the league from open play in 30odd games and some games he was shocking
But still played every week
You could argue that we are devolving lukaku so he can [Poor language removed] off in 2yrs

And what about Del shall we just play him in the 21's next season just in case his development effects the 1st team? And play Mcgeady instead?

Maybe you don't realise this but everton can't spend 150mil on world class ready made players
To play number 8 & 10 and buy 2 world class wingers for next season

If the choice is to get average free transfers like cleverly or ones past their best like Barry or no mark journey men no ones heard of
Or take a chance on youngsters who will make mistakes and need time to develop
I know which option I would go for