James McCarthy

[Abraders]

Want him to play tonight because we need him but if he gets injured again I will cry

 

[diggerdestroyer]

Had to go back 6 pages to get his name. Missed him. Brilliant effort tonight so far

 

[Kantareller]

Glad to have him back

 

[bicycleheader]

MOTM for me

In the moments when possession was turned over....when we have been hurt in previous games....he was immense providing cover and pushing up high. There was a moment in the end where Kone just failed to take possession in the corner and the ball runs towards the touch line and Collocini wants to take it and come out but McCarthy has started pushing up pretty much as soon as it looks like the ball might go on past Kone.

Great and good performances across the team, but I think his return is crucial.

 

[Tilling]

It's a shame that his full return will be slightly overlooked by how good Lennon and Barkley were (not that I'm complaining), but we really are a better team with his side. So hard to decide what to do with Besic, McCarthy and Barry!

 

[daz4matty]

He does so much work unnoticed great game tonight

 

[Cadamarteri's Sandwich]

My MotM tonight, thought he ran the show, second half especially.

 

[Jags..class]

It's a shame that his full return will be slightly overlooked by how good Lennon and Barkley were (not that I'm complaining), but we really are a better team with his side. So hard to decide what to do with Besic, McCarthy and Barry!

Its should be shared and keep them all fresh

 

[rochdaleblue]

Welcome back macca, boy did he show tonight what we've missed. Fully committed, bite in the tackle and harried their players all night. The lad has got some engine and once again covered every blade of grass. Everton are so much more solid with him in the team. Let's hope besic gets fit quickly, so we can rotate him and Barry.

 

[pablo 1878]

Absolute beast tonight. Aggressive and energetic

 

[BlueToff]

Absolute beast tonight. Aggressive and energetic

He also showed that know-how that Besic/some of the younger players lack slightly, in how to win a free-kick out of nothing really - just all about getting your body in the right position. Barks is getting there, and Lennon is very good at it due to his pace. Pienaar is still the master.

 

[pablo 1878]

He also showed that know-how that Besic/some of the younger players lack slightly, in how to win a free-kick out of nothing really - just all about getting your body in the right position. Barks is getting there, and Lennon is very good at it due to his pace. Pienaar is still the master.

Agree with this. It's the crafty, almost dirty, dark art of winning free kicks, getting in the referees ear and general snide that all teams need to do if they want to be successful. McCarthy is good at it but Pienaar is Jedi level

 

[meagher94]

He also showed that know-how that Besic/some of the younger players lack slightly

 

[Goat]

He also showed that know-how that Besic/some of the younger players lack slightly, in how to win a free-kick out of nothing really - just all about getting your body in the right position. Barks is getting there, and Lennon is very good at it due to his pace. Pienaar is still the master.

Besic doesnt need to win free kicks.

 

[Walken]

as good as I've seen him this season, I thought he really thrived against Carlisle being the main defensive midfielder, but then it was only Carlisle, but he carried that responsibility in this game, still needs to show more composure and confidence on the ball, but we are a much better unit when one of either he or besic is starting