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James McCarthy - Why Everton's unsung hero is back with a vengeance
Everton midfielder McCarthy has found his best form again
James McCarthy of Everton and Newcastle's Rolando Aarons battle for the ball
It's supposed to be only the best referees that you don’t notice.
But the same rationale can apply to players, too.
Everton have just won three successive matches for the first time this season, have kept three successive clean sheets - and seen the headlines grabbed by Aaron Lennon, Ross Barkley and Tom Cleverley.
Boss Roberto Martinez, however, believes that it is the presence of another unsung individual which has been just as influential in Everton’s upturn in fortunes.
After spending 12 matches on the sidelines with a troublesome groin injury, James McCarthy returned to the Blues starting line up for the FA Cup tie at Carlisle.
He also played the 90 minutes against Newcastle and Stoke City, and Martinez believes that that three successive 3-0 scorelines are not just coincidence.
Carlisle United's Jabo Ibehre and Everton's James McCarthy battle for the ball
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence at all,” he said. “I think we all know that James brings a balance to any side. Probably he is the type of player you don’t notice when he is there. You only miss him when he is not on the pitch.
“I think his tactical awareness, his understanding of others, the way he reacts when we lose the ball gives you a great protection for the back four. It allows players to be in a more advantageous position in their defensive duties when he’s around.
“It’s not a coincidence. I think what’s good about James is that he hasn’t felt any affects from playing three games in a week which is a big demand, and it’s important that we keep every player fit in the squad and understand that James McCarthy is a very, very important player.”
McCarthy has been a very, very important player ever since he signed from Wigan Athletic in the summer of 2013 for a then considerable £13m.
James McCarthy was a key figure for Martinez's Wigan
After Everton had drawn the first three matches of the campaign and been taken to extra-time in the Capital One Cup by Stevenage, he was introduced from the subs bench in victories over Chelsea and West Ham. His first Premier League start was a 3-2 home victory over Newcastle.
He continued to be an influential player throughout the campaign - and the power of that influence was never more noticeable than when he was rested for a midweek visit of Crystal Palace after the Blues had won seven successive league matches.
Palace won 3-2, a match that was effectively terminal to Everton’s Champions League hopes, and when he returned four days later Everton defeated Manchester United 2-0.
McCarthy celebrates after opening the scoring against Manchester United at Goodison last term
Martinez added: “The amount of games he has played for Everton now means he has become a player who knows what to expect and who can create those partnerships which are so important, on and off the ball. As a manager he gives you a really good balance in any team you put out there.
“It’s important that you look at stats, and the stats never lie. Since he came off at Bournemouth with an injury there has been a different outcome in the way that we have defended.
“That doesn’t mean anything apart from that James is a very, very important player for us. He has tremendous qualities that, as a manager, you really value, and I think the fans do as well when he is not on the pitch.”
James McCarthy
Everton’s Record with and Without James McCarthy
This season
Record with McCarthy (starting appearances only)
W9, D7, L3
Without McCarthy
W4, D5 L4
Last Season
With McCarthy
W16, D8, L10
Without McCarthy
W2, D7, L8
2013/14
With McCarthy
W21, D6, L10
Without McCarthy
W3, D4, L1
