James McCarthy

[Saint Domingo]

Amazing how well he can play in the correct position and not carrying Barry. McCarthy and Barkley in a two and we would be flying this season.

 

[SpurtingLesbian]

So you don't want him to be a top midfielder?

Now that is confusing.

See I said there would be some posters confused by this. Poor the you.

I think he's a top Midfielder now. I don't see how effectively changing his position and role to 'add some goals to his game' will make him anything other than less effective in the role that he is currently asked to do for our side.
It's like saying Stones would be a top Defender if he was better at link up play in the final third.

 

[Lanolin]

Ah i see. No need for the sympathy though, I forgive you for not being very good at sarcasm.

I think he's a good midfielder but not a top one. I've said before I think he needs to either add more in an attacking sense (not necessarily goals) or better defensive positioning and discipline in order to be a top midfielder. Currently his game is based on a great work rate and energy. it's very useful in some games but adds little to the team in others. For me, top midfielders are those who can impact all types of games. I think he can do it, and it annoys me that he/the manager is content for him to be an expensive Lee Carsley.

 

[Nymzee]

I'd much rather have McCarthy learning solely from Barry and not asking him to become this box-to-box midfielder that apparently people think he can be. Sometimes he has a decent shot on him but not often and he hasn't got a killer pass too. I've got no issues at all if he's just in the game to be a destroyer and let our more naturally attack-minded midfielders do the rest. Barry won't be around forever and when he's gone we lose our shield if McCarthy gets caught out trying to get on the end of a 1,321 pass move in the box. His energy levels, commitment & athleticism make him the perfect defensive midfielder for a team like ours. The way we play we will always need at least one defensive midfielder in the team to cover Baines/Coleman/Stones and it has to be him if Besic doesn't push on.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Verbal Kint]

Was at the Game last night, the game was made for McCarthy. Broke up endless amount of ball and ran himself to the ground, by far his best performance in an Irish shirt.

 

[micknick]

Agreed. He was immense, seemed to be everywhere.

 

[Zatara]

McCarthy for me is a perfect interceptor/destroyer. For me, in this role he's probably the best in the league although i imagine Matic, Wanyama and Schneiderlin are also highly rated i just havent been watching them.

For the 2 positions in midfield i was thinking Besic would take over Barrys role this season but i think longer term it could be McCarthy and Besic competing and for the other centre mid slot perhaps Cleverley and Barkley.

Martinez may think that due to the responsibility McCarthy would have on his shoulders if next to Barkley that he needs a bit more experience next to Barry before adjusting.

In any case, hes a top top player and id be interested to learn who others think are better than him in a defensive midfield role?

 

[penev10]

Was at the Irish match myself and he had a very good game. MOTM in the first half with about 4 crucial interceptions.

He was playing a deeper role than he does for Everton, dropping in between the back 4 at times to sweep up and generally not moving from shielding the CBs.

 

[Nymzee]

Was at the Irish match myself and he had a very good game. MOTM in the first half with about 4 crucial interceptions.

He was playing a deeper role than he does for Everton, dropping in between the back 4 at times to sweep up and generally not moving from shielding the CBs.

Prefer him doing this me.

 

[blueblue]

I think that players like McCarthy are often more appreciated by players and managers than by fans, certainly fans of other clubs.
Evertonians were not at all convinced by the signing of James McCarthy until he started to play for us and even still some are not convinced.
I would however agree that McCarthy is a player that is at his best when the season settles and he is playing every week.

I don't think there is a team in the Premiership where McCarthy wouldn't play on a regular basis playing in the role that suits him best.

I don't think it was a coincidence that McCarthy had his best game for Ireland when Glen Whelan was missing.

 

[Furey1878]

Amazing how well he can play in the correct position and not carrying Barry. McCarthy and Barkley in a two and we would be flying this season.

Barry's had a good start to the season. Only really the Spurs game were he had a bad game.

 

[Saint Domingo]

Barry's had a good start to the season. Only really the Spurs game were he had a bad game.

He alters the way McCarthy plays though, moving him out of a deep position to push up. McCarthy should be the sole holding player, Barkley next to him, number 10 ahead. We'd have a great midfield.

 

[sageyefc]

He alters the way McCarthy plays though, moving him out of a deep position to push up. McCarthy should be the sole holding player, Barkley next to him, number 10 ahead. We'd have a great midfield.

If mccarthy is to play the barry role he needs to improve his passing game

 

[Furey1878]

If mccarthy is to play the barry role he needs to improve his passing game

Too shy in relieving the ball at times to play Barry's role of dropping in to collect the ball and turning to start our play.

Funnily enough, Ross suits that role better despite McCarthy being a far better defensive player than he is.

 

[Bilko]

Thought he was fantastic last night , I was in a bar ,so didn't hear what Dunphy had to say ,( Dunphy is a journalist in ROI who doesn't rate him,imo a total tool )
If possible read the irish times journalist report on the match , he gets McCarthy ,simply purring over him.not in a position to post it on here if someone would be so kind.