James McCarthy

[kithnou]

Some on here have prompted me for an answer on whether I still see McCarthy as potentially the next Roy Keane. I do, but it will take longer than I thought. His form has dropped along with the rest of the team, which has made him too cautious in his play. Would like to see him in a central midfield partnership with someone who has the same engine as him, so not Barry, but perhaps Besic.

I doubt we will see much improvement until he is paired with someone who will be able to cover for him when he makes his runs forward.

Please tell me you are wuming us. Please.

 

[Papa Shango]

He has disappointed, yes.

But as some others have stated, the whole team apart from Joel Robles and Gareth Barry have disappointed also.

If they're playing to get Martinez sacked, then we won't see a true picture until the new guy is bedded in.

If they are playing to get him sacked then I think I have seen all I need to out of this bunch of players.

 

[Groucho]

If they are playing to get him sacked then I think I have seen all I need to out of this bunch of players.

Yes fair point.

They should remember that it's the fans they're playing for, ultimately.

 

[Papa Shango]

Yes fair point.

They should remember that it's the fans they're playing for, ultimately.

Yup, they should be playing for themselves too, to show pride in themselves. I question any player who doesnt have pride in their own performances.

 

[blue61]

Yes fair point.

They should remember that it's the fans they're playing for, ultimately.

Unfortunately, I think the fans are the last thing the players play for these days. And I mean football in general, not just here. Money has broken the bond players used to have with the fans to a large degree.

 

[Jags]

McCarthy getting stick?? One of our better players in my opinion.

 

[sageyefc]

McCarthy getting stick?? One of our better players in my opinion.

lol when was this

He's been consistently poor for 2 years

 

[sageyefc]

The fact I watched Sunderland the other day and found myself thinking cattermole has more impact on a game than McCarthy does says it all.

 

[Bob Elstone]

Next Roy Keane? Do me a favour, he's Mr. Anonymous this season.

Watched the FA semi final and didn't realise he was on the pitch till the 30min mark.

 

[Hibbertinho]

When they were on song together, there was no better force to protect the back four than Barry/McCarthy. Disciplined fouler/'the engine'... to me that is all you need when you have the four players in front of them (take your pick) that our squad does - that's not to say that there aren't better individuals than McCarthy in his position (Kante, Dier etc.)... but when he's not doing his job or his 'half' then he does look useless, admitted.

Would be good if he could see a forward ball (step up Besic) but that lack of dimension to his game wasn't so noticeable in '13/'14.

 

[Jags]

lol when was this

He's been consistently poor for 2 years

To me, he's a victim of Martinez:

His greatest asset, his energy and pressing, is made redundant when the one thing we sorely lack as a team is pressing.

However, he does need to work on getting forward, since his play in the final third leaves a lot to be desired. If he plays as a midfield 3 with a defensive player (Barry) and an attacking one (Barkley) then he needs to add a little bit of creativity and possibly a better shot from the edge of the box.

Thought he played well in the second half of the semi like, when theteam ahs energy and are pressing, he often wins the midfield battles.

 

[sageyefc]

When they were on song together, there was no better force to protect the back four than Barry/McCarthy. Disciplined fouler/'the engine'... to me that is all you need when you have the four players in front of them (take your pick) that our squad does - that's not to say that there aren't better individuals than McCarthy in his position (Kante, Dier etc.)... but when he's not doing his job or his 'half' then he does look useless, admitted.

Would be good if he could see a forward ball (step up Besic) but that lack of dimension to his game wasn't so noticeable in '13/'14.

It was noticeable, think everyone was saying he needs to add more to his game. He was doing a good job at the running about thing so it was excused, he doesn't do the defensive side well anymore though

 

[GrandOldTeam]

His greatest asset, his energy and pressing, is made redundant when the one thing we sorely lack as a team is pressing.

You're not wrong mate.

 

[sageyefc]

To me, he's a victim of Martinez:

His greatest asset, his energy and pressing, is made redundant when the one thing we sorely lack as a team is pressing.

However, he does need to work on getting forward, since his play in the final third leaves a lot to be desired. If he plays as a midfield 3 with a defensive player (Barry) and an attacking one (Barkley) then he needs to add a little bit of creativity and possibly a better shot from the edge of the box.

Thought he played well in the second half of the semi like, when theteam ahs energy and are pressing, he often wins the midfield battles.

Hes not won a midfield battle in yonks. He won't ever be anything more than a dog with a bone type, and thats simply not good enough for a team with certain ambitions, you have to have more to your game

 

[hetion]

Still can't help but wonder if there's not a player in there that could come to the fore with a new manager.