I really don't see all the fuss about him most days...
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James McCarthy
- Thread starter GrandOldTeam
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Kendall's Dream
Player Valuation: £10m
Martinez sees Besic as Barry's long term replacement but really it's McCarthy. They do the same job. Play them together away, not at home.
BigDuncis Blue
Player Valuation: £5m
Sort of agree with this. He's alright, but massively overated, as in a lot of games was anonymous today
Some games he's been superb. But its like 1 in 10 games...
He is overrated. For the job he does he does well but offers nothing going forward. Players who play in his role for other clubs do offer more than he offers for us.
Still think he is in our best 11 but is replaceable. Him and Barry have no competition. Besic is the only one but with his injury problems and some indicispline he has shown we do need more competition in that area.
Maybe worth putting Ross in centre mid and playing someone behind Rom.
Still think he is in our best 11 but is replaceable. Him and Barry have no competition. Besic is the only one but with his injury problems and some indicispline he has shown we do need more competition in that area.
Maybe worth putting Ross in centre mid and playing someone behind Rom.
RFUS
Anustart
I think what he doesn't offer going forward is exaggerated by the other players Martinez chooses to pick. If we had 2 wingers, Ross and Rom and we were showing some actual movement, along with our fullbacks bombing on, it would be great. Just like the first season.
But with Naismith and without Baines/Coleman (only just back from injury, like) we have so little creativity we can't be doing with the two defensive mids at once. Barry to his credit, does play forward passes, but I just don't understand why regardless of opposition or the fullbacks we're playing with, we will always play two defensive midfielders.
But with Naismith and without Baines/Coleman (only just back from injury, like) we have so little creativity we can't be doing with the two defensive mids at once. Barry to his credit, does play forward passes, but I just don't understand why regardless of opposition or the fullbacks we're playing with, we will always play two defensive midfielders.
MACCA75
Player Valuation: £70m
Really do wonder if he has learnt anything from last season at all. The two big lessons for me were: Two defensive midfielders is not always necessary, (and it's worth trying to find a different pairing than Barry and McCarthy anyway) and natural width on both sides of the pitch is crucial.
There is no reason at all why Lennon and Mirallas can't start games together for example.
RFUS
Anustart
That's the most frustrating thing of all: he doesn't seem to learn. Making new mistakes is fine, but making old ones over and over is inexcusable.
With Baines/Coleman bombing on I have no problem with James/Barry in the middle. It's sensible as they offer lots of cover.
However we've lost them for a while and he hasn't replaced that attacking threat. Hell, he's even stopped playing Mirallas. If Ross or Rom don't conjure up a moment of magic, we just aren't going to score.
royvernon39
Player Valuation: £10m
Barry sits in front of the back four while McCarthy tears around winning 50 50's and he usually he does well.
Did he kick the ball in the first half?
I am of the opinion McCarthy is a very good player. But he is very good at doing what he does, covering ground and tackling. In a team with confidence he would win the ball back and then shift it on to a creative midfielder. When we play McCarthy and Barry we don't have the outlet. We have six of our outfielders with a very defensive mind set. When we play Naismith again he is dropping back add Lennon to that and we can have 8 players dropping off. We don't have an outlet. We don't have a playmaker, when we break out we are either out numbered or hit hard when we give the ball away.
Normally having defenders back makes you hard to beat but not when you are continuously inviting teams unto you.
Play Lukaku's, Del and Mirellas. McCarthy as holding mid, Cleverley Besic and Barkley with normal defence. Try to win games
Normally having defenders back makes you hard to beat but not when you are continuously inviting teams unto you.
Play Lukaku's, Del and Mirellas. McCarthy as holding mid, Cleverley Besic and Barkley with normal defence. Try to win games
that's not enough from a two cm partnership
B
Big Fat Sam
Guest
Doesn't score, isn't exactly a great passer of the ball, isn't physically imposing, loses concentration too often.
I like him, but he's not all that and certainly shouldn't be an automatic starter.
I like him, but he's not all that and certainly shouldn't be an automatic starter.
royvernon39
Player Valuation: £10m
The solution in my book is to replace Barry with a more creative and mobile midfield defender.
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