James McCarthy

[BlueToff]

2 months out of 10 what's that 8 games? So had he not missed them we would have finished a lot higher than 11th?

Good player but limited for me, sits infront of the back 4 or shouldn't be in the team. Cleverly offers more going forward.

Besic will go on to play at a higher level than McCarthy

Cleverley isn't all that in central midfield. Better in an advanced role.

McCarthy showed exactly what we've been missing the other night. Besic is class, but at the moment McCarthy edges it for me. We're a better team when he plays, results this season show that.

As I've said numerous times, it will be nice to see both Besic and McCarthy together in a game soon enough (starting as a two in midfield)

 

[BlueToff]

In theory would need a full pre season with them working together as a centre mid pair before we would see them getting used to each others games i'd say mate, maybe one for next season though

Think it'll definitely be the way to go.

I'd start them both in there at Bournemouth away in the FA Cup if they're both fit.

Got no issue at all with who plays next to Barry in the league for the time being though. Means we have a good option when they're both fit, and can mean that it hopefully lowers the injury count to both of them if we can rotate.

 

[Stephenlloyd]

Cleverley isn't all that in central midfield. Better in an advanced role.

McCarthy showed exactly what we've been missing the other night. Besic is class, but at the moment McCarthy edges it for me. We're a better team when he plays, results this season show that.

As I've said numerous times, it will be nice to see both Besic and McCarthy together in a game soon enough (starting as a two in midfield)

We played Newcastle
Best team we have beat this year is city. Besic played McCarthy didn't
Who knows where we would be if besic had been fit all season?

We could go round in circles
I don't rate him that highly, you do. Let's leave it at that

 

[Pittsburgh Footy]

We played Newcastle
Best team we have beat this year is city. Besic played McCarthy didn't
Who knows where we would be if besic had been fit all season?

We could go round in circles
I don't rate him that highly, you do. Let's leave it at that

Let's just say that once Barry's legs fall off, a Besic/McCarthy partnership for years to come will be a beautiful thing

 

[madden95]

Let's just say that once Barry's legs fall off, a Besic/McCarthy partnership for years to come will be a beautiful thing

love gareth barry me been our best player this season, no need to rush besic back season we come 5th they were the cm partnership

 

[Baines' left foot]

rest / injury has done him good in the long run, looks good again.

Would like to see him next to besic eventually.

Same.

I like Barry and he's been very good this season, but I think if we can get Besic and Mccarthy playing well together the whole team will benefit from it. Barry has to be replaced eventually anyway.

And I'm not necessarily saying drop Barry for Besic. Not yet anyway.

 

[BlueToff]

We played Newcastle
Best team we have beat this year is city. Besic played McCarthy didn't
Who knows where we would be if besic had been fit all season?

We could go round in circles
I don't rate him that highly, you do. Let's leave it at that

Okay mate fair enough.

Who knows where we'd be if McCarthy had been fit all season.

Ifs and buts.

 

[BlueToff]

Same.

I like Barry and he's been very good this season, but I think if we can get Besic and Mccarthy playing well together the whole team will benefit from it. Barry has to be replaced eventually anyway.

And I'm not necessarily saying drop Barry for Besic. Not yet anyway.

No we have Niasse, I think in certain situations we could even play a diamond.

Back four (the full-backs pushed on as wing backs), with Barry holding, Besic and McCarthy either side with Barkley behind Lukaku and Niasse - who will also provide the width.

We have actually used the system a few times (mainly in the derby games or vs Chelsea/Arsenal), so could be something to look at. Mirallas is also a good option to go alongside Rom.

 

[Pittsburgh Footy]

Same.

I like Barry and he's been very good this season, but I think if we can get Besic and Mccarthy playing well together the whole team will benefit from it. Barry has to be replaced eventually anyway.

And I'm not necessarily saying drop Barry for Besic. Not yet anyway.

I agree with this, no reason to rush Besic, but once fit we'll be able to spell Barry at times to keep him fresher, and he's the natural replacement for Barry, which we'll need anyway as he can't go on forever

 

[sageyefc]

Same.

I like Barry and he's been very good this season, but I think if we can get Besic and Mccarthy playing well together the whole team will benefit from it. Barry has to be replaced eventually anyway.

And I'm not necessarily saying drop Barry for Besic. Not yet anyway.

Neither of them are as good for the role as barry yet

 

[Baines' left foot]

Neither of them are as good for the role as barry yet

Agreed. I just think their energy and the fact they both love a tackle could work well, particularly away from home when we need to press more.

I don't know how things will pan out because in my opinion Besic has better vision and had an eye for a pass. For those reasons he'd be more suited to Barry's role. Besic is also the of the two going forward, and McCarthy the more disciplined one.

 

[Efcjake]

I like McCarthy, really do. He is great at pressing the opposition, covering for seamus, and winning the ball back. Besic edges it over him for me because of what Besic can do when he's on the ball. Unlike McCarthy, Besic will immediately look to play the ball forwards and if it isn't on he will try and bring the ball up the pitch himself. McCarthy is too comfortable playing the way Martinez wants him to, with slow passes intended to keep possession. He is usually looking for the full back or Barry with most of his passes though we know he is just as capable of looking up and forcing the play forwards. I would like to see more of that from him, until we do I don't think he is ever going to be more than the player he is now.

 

[johnnydawg68]

Very simple. When McCarthy plays we win. When he's out we lose. He's our most important player.

 

[II McColl II]

Deserves a big shout today, even when relatively quiet and unnoticed he goes about his job and gives the team a different stability to it.

As said above and i mentioned the same after he went off in the Bournemouth game, he is the difference between a comfortable win and losing the midfield battle and letting a game slip.

Keeps picking up little knocks which is a worry but for us to keep up a consistent level and push for a 6th place finish we need to keep him fit and playing the remainder of this season.

 

[The Equaliser]

Great that he's come straight back in after his injury and showed us what we've been missing. There is no substitute for a proper holding midfielder and he is just that.