James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[seanfhear]

If he was minding his body he wouldn't have shown up to play while injured, would he? I swear, from day one this thread has been the worst.
He plays like he is looking after himself.

[mark12345]

He has had very few good games for Ireland. The Evidence keeps stacking up. Went missing in his latest game, again. Is he minding his body playing for Ireland because of his injury history. If International football is too much for him wouldn’t he be better off to admit it and concentrate on his club career.

Doesn't make sense. If he is minding his body playing for Ireland, why show up at all?

[brine3]

He also showed up not fully fit to play for Ireland back in his Everton days. Koeman was not happy.

[seanfhear]

If he was minding his body he wouldn't have shown up to play while injured, would he? I swear, from day one this thread has been the worst.
There were a lot of Man Utd Players ( under Ferguson particularly ) and Liverpool Players (particularly of the 70’s and 80’s ) that showed up for different Countries and “ did not put in all in “ So, its not unheard of for players to not put in all in at international level.

[Exgrad]

He plays like he is looking after himself.

Thats the way he's always played, and more so since his injury.

He was poor against Bulgaria but hopefully will have had a run of games before Slovakia, as he is very likely to start.

[John83]

As a mod here (for the purposes of adding info to the player thread titles), I can't add anyone to my ignore list, but I will be actively ignoring any post that calls McCarthy, "Jimbo".

[paul_oshea]

Yep. He is by a country mile our best midfielder. Passing. Tackling. positioning. I think after this international window his critics on here will be silent

Come again? :D

[Diggs246]

Come again? :D

Haha he wasn't great v Bulgaria tbf, but he is our best midfielder by a mile. The midfield in both games were hopeless. Poor poor v Bulgaria and molumby and arter positioning were borderline comedy v Finland

[youngirish]

Haha he wasn't great v Bulgaria tbf, but he is our best midfielder by a mile. The midfield in both games were hopeless. Poor poor v Bulgaria and molumby and arter positioning were borderline comedy v Finland

He was actually our worst midfielder of 6 over the course of the 2 games but don't let some facts get in the way of a gut feeling.

[pineapple stu]

That's a fairly subjective comment to be calling a "fact", in fairness.

[Diggs246]

He was actually our worst midfielder of 6 over the course of the 2 games but don't let some facts get in the way of a gut feeling.

No conor was. My understanding from his comments is that kenny indicated he rested an semi injured McCarthy. With no reference to jeff an conor, so he actually dropped jeff and conor. Whether you or me like it or not James McCarthy will start against Slovakia.

On a side note did Conor, jeff , arter or anyone else anchor an FA winning midfield including beating Manchester city in the final.....#fact !

[youngirish]

No conor was. My understanding from his comments is that kenny indicated he rested an semi injured McCarthy. With no reference to jeff an conor, so he actually dropped jeff and conor. Whether you or me like it or not James McCarthy will start against Slovakia.

On a side note did Conor, jeff , arter or anyone else anchor an FA winning midfield including beating Manchester city in the final.....#fact !

Nope you have me there. And also they didn't get relegated in the same season.

[paul_oshea]

Diggs i thought the consensus on here was they weren't dropped? No one was technically dropped? Are you just putting 2 and 2 together?
"Kenny said that a decision to change his entire midfield was not a reaction any performances in Thursday's draw with Bulgaria, suggesting that both Jeff Hendrick and James McCarthy needed their game-time managed."

Hourihane i think could have played himself out of the squad nevermind the team!

[Diggs246]

Nope you have me there. And also they didn't get relegated in the same season.

No they didn't as none them were anywhere near the premier league

[Diggs246]

Diggs i thought the consensus on here was they weren't dropped? No one was technically dropped? Are you just putting 2 and 2 together?
"Kenny said that a decision to change his entire midfield was not a reaction any performances in Thursday's draw with Bulgaria, suggesting that both Jeff Hendrick and James McCarthy needed their game-time managed."

Hourihane i think could have played himself out of the squad nevermind the team!

I thought he only name checked McCarthy re " we have to mind him" or the like no? and the other 2 weren't referenced... just not picked

[paul_oshea]

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/i-always-knew-you-couldnt-change-everything-overnight-kenny-positive-for-slovakia-test-39508095.html

[Diggs246]

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/international-soccer/i-always-knew-you-couldnt-change-everything-overnight-kenny-positive-for-slovakia-test-39508095.html

Fair enough, I didn't know his referenced Jeff as well, so Jeff is off the hook!, its very damning of Conor isn't it though?

[paul_oshea]

Not great alright diggsy.

[Charlie Darwin]

He plays like he is looking after himself.
He must be really committed to playing this character because I was him and I didn't want to play football I'd just put me feet up and not worry about it.

[Charlie Darwin]

There were a lot of Man Utd Players ( under Ferguson particularly ) and Liverpool Players (particularly of the 70’s and 80’s ) that showed up for different Countries and “ did not put in all in “ So, its not unheard of for players to not put in all in at international level.
There were a lot of players under those teams who didn't bother showing up for games if they weren't arsed. They didn't show up injured and "look after themselves" by, em, exposing themselves to a risk of injury.

[DeLorean]

Pretty sure I remember McCarthy being involved in a heavy enough looking 50/50 tackle in the first half against Bulgaria too, just a week after getting injured in a similar collision. Anyway, I really shouldn't be giving this ludicrous theory oxygen by arguing the point.

[Stuttgart88]

Fair enough, I didn't know his referenced Jeff as well, so Jeff is off the hook!, its very damning of Conor isn't it though?

Is it really that damning of Hourihane?

[CraftyToePoke]

Pretty sure I remember McCarthy being involved in a heavy enough looking 50/50 tackle in the first half against Bulgaria too, just a week after getting injured in a similar collision. Anyway, I really shouldn't be giving this ludicrous theory oxygen by arguing the point.

Yeah, he was and he knew he was getting hit by committing to it and ended up down. Could have avoided and didn't, risked another injury instead.

[Diggs246]

Is it really that damning of Hourihane?

Damning might be a bit strong. But if I was conor I would be nervous and not expecting to start v Slovakia.

We cant afford pedestrians players. Conor disappears for large parts of the game. Jeff does too but jeff has had some world class moments. I wouldnt play either of them

[Stuttgart88]

I think his place is on the line alright. I suspect it'll be McCarthy and Hendrick and AN Other, probably Arter, but there's no finesse in there really unless McCarthy really brings his A game. And no set piece threat either, which unfortunately we need. I think we're all a bit in the dark still about what the line up will be.

[Diggs246]

I think his place is on the line alright. I suspect it'll be McCarthy and Hendrick and AN Other, probably Arter, but there's no finesse in there really unless McCarthy really brings his A game. And no set piece threat either, which unfortunately we need. I think we're all a bit in the dark still about what the line up will be.

Agreed. Imo we dont have the players for 433 and should be playing 451 ( mcgoldrick in the hole) with a very fast 9

[brine3]

Yeah. We also have to remember that all teams that pull off 4-3-3 have ball playing centre backs. When the team is in possession the centre-backs essentially function as deep lying midfielders and provide an outlet for possession. It's a form of defending by never losing the ball. Barca 2011 had Pique and Mascherano, Ajax 1995 had Blind and Rijkaard. This is how they were able to dominate centre midfield without playing extra central midfielders: their centre-backs morphed into extra centre midfielders. Mascherano himself was actually a midfielder of course, as was Rijkaard.

We have Duffy and Egan. They are great defenders, but ball playing deep lying midfielders they are not. So we do both them and our midfielders a disservice with 4-3-3. And opposition managers know this.

[Bielsa´s irish]

world class perfromance so far. Assists for the goal today

[tetsujin1979]

Townsend was credited with the assist

[irishfan86]

It was not the primary assist but McCarthy’s intervention allowed the counterattack to happen. Good reading of the game.

[DeLorean]

He was very good generally, looked very sharp in the tackle, especially in the first half. Was on the set pieces too. Replaced with around twenty to go, probably tactical as he was on a yellow. Smallbone was pretty ineffective on the right wing, replaced also, the young Palace left back Mitchell was very good on that side, bit of a Wan-Bissaka about him. Long only came on with a few minutes left.

[Trequartista20]

A very encouraging performance.

He was subject to a lot of criticism on another alternative forum recently but be remains a very talented player, and by far and away the best option we have in his position.

I found Kenny's talking up of James and public acknowledgement of his abilities one of the more positive aspects of the new manager's reign thus far.

[Bielsa´s irish]

World class performance for McCarthy

[seanfhear]

World class performance for McCarthy
Was he playing ? ?

[elatedscum]

87 good minutes. Worked hard. Kept Bruno Fernandes very quiet. Was mostly just defensive work from McCarthy but they made United look really poor

[Colbert Report]

Was great today, would love to see him back in the Ireland team.

[Bielsa´s irish]

strong performance form him he even influenced the ref

[Olé Olé]

James was subbed on 67 minutes v Chelsea. Anyone see it? Was it an injury, tactical or poor performance?

[Diggs246]

Tactical. Not an injury

[Bielsa´s irish]

So, I read his father died ? any source?

[pineapple stu]

None in your post anyway. Not even where you Read it. Quelle surprise

[Bielsa´s irish]

FAI and the irish fans must send him some condolences

[tetsujin1979]

If there is proof, then yes they should. If there isn't then they won't.

[Bielsa´s irish]

If there is proof, then yes they should. If there isn't then they won't.
Ok fair enough, fair enough

[paul_oshea]

It was on rte

[zero]

Kenny is quoted as saying James's father passed away.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/1118/1179081-kenny-applauds-players-for-playing-through-pandemic/

[seanfhear]

Kenny is quoted as saying James's father passed away.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2020/1118/1179081-kenny-applauds-players-for-playing-through-pandemic/
Sorry for James’s and his Family's Troubles ~ RIP.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Question, How this forum is gonna send McCarthy our condolences? Can it be done? or individually?

[Bielsa´s irish]

I think this fellow deserves it

[tetsujin1979]

Back ien the bench for Palace today against Liverpool
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