James McCarthy M free agent b.1990 [Archive] - Page 15

soccerc

17/07/2009, 6:28 PM

McCarthy passed a medical late this afternoon with Wolves and agreed personal terms while Hamilton have accepted the �2m bid.

James then travelled to Wigan, more out of courtesy to Martinez though not sure if his agreement with Wolves is binding

tommy_c12000

17/07/2009, 8:23 PM

From Skysports Transfer centre

21.13 Wolves have revealed James McCarthy is now considering his options after the Hamilton Academical midfielder held talks over a move to Molineux.

20.34 Harry Redknapp insists he would have no qualms bringing no new faces to Tottenham this summer, and has played down reports of an interest in James McCarthy and Alvaro Negredo (http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5438841,00.html).

eirebhoy

18/07/2009, 12:41 PM

Mowbray:

"I haven't really been involved in it, to be fair. But with the numbers I have seen banded around, I would suggest Celtic won't be involved. I'm pretty aware that this club did make an offer for McCarthy however many months ago it was.

"I don't know exactly the number involved but if you times it by ten it probably gets closer to where it's at now. I haven't seen McCarthy play live but I have seen him on DVD.

"I think for the amount of money, where we are at as a club at the moment, is probably too rich. That's my thoughts for a boy who, although a very talented individual, I don't see him coming in for that sort of money and making a massive and immediate impact.

"I would never question he has great potential to become a very talented football player. It's just whether you've got the funds to speculate down the line. Premier League clubs have that money to speculate with a few million to bring a very talented football player to the football club. At this moment I would personally rather spend the money on trying to get finished product on the pitch if we could."

tetsujin1979

18/07/2009, 7:01 PM

Wigan might have moved ahead of Wolves with promises of involvement in the first team
From http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hamilton_academical/8146848.stm

But the 18-year-old has been promised involvement in the first-team squad being created at Wigan by their new manager, Roberto Martinez.

He has received no such guarantees from Premier League rivals Spurs or Wolves.

tetsujin1979

19/07/2009, 2:15 PM

dr_peepee

19/07/2009, 5:51 PM

McCarthy to decided between Wolves and Wigan in the next 48 hours: http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/sport-news/scottish-football/2009/07/19/hamilton-ace-james-mccarthy-can-t-decide-on-wolves-or-wigan-78057-21531867/

Quality Work by the agent.. There's no way he's deliberating.. He's sitting tight for a better club.. Fee is set and he's passed medicals.. No variables left for any monitoring clubs.. Better Club comes in and it's done in a few hours.. I don't think he'll be moving to either of these clubs.. Just a hunch..

Wangball

20/07/2009, 11:47 AM

Word around Glasgow is that he's holding out for either Celtic or Spurs, but if he had to chose between Wigan or Wolves it'll be Wigan

Mowbray has already said its too much cash so unless some kind of mass exchange deal is worked out the Celtic move seems unlikely, not sure where the Spurs rumour came from thiough

dr_peepee

20/07/2009, 12:09 PM

ruben_sosa

20/07/2009, 3:08 PM

I think that had Spurs (and arguably Celtic??) been more involved before now Hamiltons expectation for the fee would be higher than either would be willing to pay... Could be a tactic on their part to stay out until late in the day.. I've often done it on Ebay..

Or maybe it's just wishfull thinking on my part...

Celtic simply don't rate him, and neither do i until i hear and see more about him than just "Barcelona and Liverpool Scouts..." soundbites from his Agent.

irishultra

20/07/2009, 4:32 PM

I agree, I mean surely if all these scouts that apparently were at their games in the past 2 years were that impressed, clubs around europe would be making serious enquiries now rather than just leaving him off to join whatever team he ends up joining for 1-2 million, they don't want to fork out 15 million euro in 3 years time I would have thought.:confused:

SkStu

20/07/2009, 5:27 PM

eirebhoy

20/07/2009, 6:42 PM

The BBC say he has chosen Wigan. Good move for him. Possession football is what he needs.

dr_peepee

20/07/2009, 7:33 PM

what age was Roy Keane when he became the most expensive transfer in british history? Young enough. Mark Kennedy was the most expensive teenager at one stage too.

Have no idea what point i am trying to make but i fear McCarthy may not be the great ginger saviour we have been led to believe. That said, im sure he will become a very good premiership player.

Yeah, that was a good post.

I see what you're saying but maybe that's an issue in Brittish football. The perception that if you haven't ticked certain box's by a certain age it's over. I've often read bio's of the big European players and been surprised by the route to the Big Club.. Some players have two or three clubs worth of consistant football before they make the big move. We (They???) don't tend to have that. It seems to be either Academy Graduate - Or Big Fish Small Pond gets Big Move. It either works (Keano, Lampard) or they drift off back to a lower level (Parker). I can't think of many big name brittish players that has had a varried resume prior to becoming a big force in the league. It's common enough on the continent though...

eirebhoy

20/07/2009, 8:12 PM

Frank Ribery played for 3 French 3rd division clubs and didn't get a move to the top flight until he was 21.

Razors left peg

20/07/2009, 8:15 PM

Drogba was in the lower regions of the French League until he was about 26 I think

tetsujin1979

20/07/2009, 8:16 PM

Drogba was playing in Ligue 2 until he was 23, and Guingamp brought him to Ligue 1

Wangball

20/07/2009, 9:58 PM

Drogba was playing in Ligue 2 until he was 23, and Guingamp brought him to Ligue 1

Just to stray off topic for a moment, one of Drogba's best mates in football is Momo Sylla formerly of Celtic, whilst Drogba was at Guingamp he asked Sylla to hook him up with a Scottish agent for a trial with the Bhoys and Sylla told him out straight he wouldn't be good enough!

Back on topic Tim Cahill put in a decent shift in the lower leagues with Millwall before being brought to Everton

Hibernian

20/07/2009, 10:26 PM

I hear that he has signed for Wigan for 1.2 million. That may reach 3 million depending on appearances

Ghost2hammers

21/07/2009, 10:32 AM

How good is this kid? sorry dont really watch the scotch league.

dr_peepee

21/07/2009, 11:19 AM

I've not seen him either. But any player with that much senior football at his age, at any level (even LSL) must have something about him. He played consistently in a team that won promotion and then consolidated their position in the SPL... Based on that it's a leap of faith in him I'm prepared to take.

There's still a couple of loose ends and it's not rubber stamped yet.. I still hope it's usurped at the last minute. Wishfull thinking I know...

eirebhoy

21/07/2009, 11:45 AM

How good is this kid? sorry dont really watch the scotch league.
I'm sure when people start to watch him at Wigan they'll be asking what the fuss is about. At the moment he's an 18 year old with the football brain of a 28 year old. He knows how to pass very well, he knows what positions to be take up, etc. He rarely gives the ball away and can defend well. He's a good dribbler. He has all that a player needs, now like Stephen Ireland he has to turn into a playmaker. Martinez is the man to help him do that imo.

If you've seen Chris McCann play then he's similar to him but 3 and a half years younger and probably better technically.

geysir

21/07/2009, 11:50 AM

Won't do him any harm to get away from the game by game focus and abuse, on the side issue of his declaration for Ireland.

Razors left peg

21/07/2009, 12:35 PM

tetsujin1979

21/07/2009, 12:37 PM

How good is this kid? sorry dont really watch the scotch league.
I saw him play for the U-19s against Portugal when he was 17, and thought he was the best outfield player on the pitch. Didn't see a lot of SPL games last season, but given the amount of games he played, in a solid side, he must be doing something right. Martinez wanted him when he was manager of Swansea and pursued him again at Wigan. Give him 3-4 years there, develop the player and get him exposure in the Premier League, and sell him on again at a tidy profit.
Coventry did a similar thing with Robbie Keane. While other teams were interested, nobody was willing to take a chance until Strachan bought him in. One season later and he was off to Italy.

Hibernian

21/07/2009, 12:47 PM

I'm sure when people start to watch him at Wigan they'll be asking what the fuss is about. At the moment he's an 18 year old with the football brain of a 28 year old. He knows how to pass very well, he knows what positions to be take up, etc. He rarely gives the ball away and can defend well. He's a good dribbler. He has all that a player needs, now like Stephen Ireland he has to turn into a playmaker. Martinez is the man to help him do that imo.

If you've seen Chris McCann play then he's similar to him but 3 and a half years younger and probably better technically.

Ya agree with those points overall.

the thing about this kid is that he has be playing first team football for last few years and has moved up a division each season with Hamilton so he has progressed each year to higher level.

Think he doing right thing now in going to the Englishg premier league at good time.

I myself taught Wolves would have been the better option but he has his reasons and I hope he turns out to be the player he is supposed to become..fingers crossed.

Manc Irish Wolf

21/07/2009, 1:42 PM

so so glad he hasnt joined Wolves. I wouldnt trust Mick McCarthy to develop him as a midfielder after seeing the way Darron Gibson was put onto the right wing for most of his time at Wolves. I get the feeling that Wolves with go with 2 big athletes in midfield for the season that will run for the team all day but wont create much, so that wouldnt have suited James McCarthy

Who are the two big athletes? I'd say that the Captain of Serbia after 10 games (with two goals) may well have been brought in for his ability to play football. Anyway isn't McCarthy meant to be a box to box player anyway? - so surely he fit's that description. Talking of development - it is shocking how poorly Ward, Foley & Kightly have progressed from the lower (& Irish) Leagues under his tenure. Might be an idea to watch the players/teams you comment upon rather than regurgitating the same stereotypes - not a Roy Keane loving Man Utd fan are you by any chance?

Absolutely gutted to the core he joined Wigan. However, they are a good, stable footballing side with a good young manager and are relatively closer to home Although, think the swinging factor may well have been the Hamilton Youth Coach who is at Wigan now. Hope he does well and we buy him in a couple of years.

Manc Irish Wolf

21/07/2009, 1:49 PM

I saw him play for the U-19s against Portugal when he was 17, and thought he was the best outfield player on the pitch. Didn't see a lot of SPL games last season, but given the amount of games he played, in a solid side, he must be doing something right. Martinez wanted him when he was manager of Swansea and pursued him again at Wigan. Give him 3-4 years there, develop the player and get him exposure in the Premier League, and sell him on again at a tidy profit.
Coventry did a similar thing with Robbie Keane. While other teams were interested, nobody was willing to take a chance until Strachan bought him in. One season later and he was off to Italy.

Bit off topic, however apparently Strachan didn't buy Keano - he was off ill and the deal was orchestrated by the Coventry Chairman (and disgraced MP) Geoffrey Robinson. Rumour has is that Coventry didn't even own him (Robinson did) and he was brought in at the request of Inter to see if he would make the grade as their manager at the time was a big fan (think it was passarella?). Sorry, Keano's move to Coventry was a heart-breaking one.

youngirish

21/07/2009, 1:50 PM

Who are the two big athletes? I'd say that the Captain of Serbia after 10 games (with two goals) may well have been brought in for his ability to play football. Anyway isn't McCarthy meant to be a box to box player anyway? - so surely he fit's that description. Talking of development - it is shocking how poorly Ward, Foley & Kightly have progressed from the lower (& Irish) Leagues under his tenure. Might be an idea to watch the players/teams you comment upon rather than regurgitating the same stereotypes - not a Roy Keane loving Man Utd fan are you by any chance?

Absolutely gutted to the core he joined Wigan. However, they are a good, stable footballing side with a good young manager and are relatively closer to home Although, think the swinging factor may well have been the Hamilton Youth Coach who is at Wigan now. Hope he does well and we buy him in a couple of years.
From the sounds of things Wolf I think the deciding factor was that he believed he would get more game time at least initially at Wigan than he possibly would at Wolves which I think might turn out to be a good decision on his part particularly in a world cup year.

Razors left peg

21/07/2009, 2:32 PM

Who are the two big athletes? I'd say that the Captain of Serbia after 10 games (with two goals) may well have been brought in for his ability to play football. Anyway isn't McCarthy meant to be a box to box player anyway? - so surely he fit's that description. Talking of development - it is shocking how poorly Ward, Foley & Kightly have progressed from the lower (& Irish) Leagues under his tenure. Might be an idea to watch the players/teams you comment upon rather than regurgitating the same stereotypes - not a Roy Keane loving Man Utd fan are you by any chance?

Absolutely gutted to the core he joined Wigan. However, they are a good, stable footballing side with a good young manager and are relatively closer to home Although, think the swinging factor may well have been the Hamilton Youth Coach who is at Wigan now. Hope he does well and we buy him in a couple of years.

I was just judging on the midfielders that were keeping Gibson out of center midfield during his time there, I dont remember exactly who they were but my discription of 2 big athletes seemed pretty appropriate.

Junior

21/07/2009, 3:26 PM

. Anyway isn't McCarthy meant to be a box to box player anyway? - so surely he fit's that description.

Just on this point, I only watched McCarthy last season for Hamilton but he certainly wasnt a box to box midfielder for them. Played more in an advanced role, quite often behind a lone striker (forget the guys name now).

As he's a tall, strong and atheltic, Hamilton obvioulsy couldnt waste this and had to utilise his ability in the air and defending but I wouldnt call him a box-to-box player by any stretch.

He might develop in to one though.....

NeilMcD

21/07/2009, 3:40 PM

Got to be happy that somebody like Martinez will be his manager and he will be encouraged and coached playing good football. Also away from the abuse he was getting in the SPL should be good for him too. A good move and a mature move it has to be said.

eirebhoy

21/07/2009, 4:07 PM

Just on this point, I only watched McCarthy last season for Hamilton but he certainly wasnt a box to box midfielder for them. Played more in an advanced role, quite often behind a lone striker (forget the guys name now).

As he's a tall, strong and atheltic, Hamilton obvioulsy couldnt waste this and had to utilise his ability in the air and defending but I wouldnt call him a box-to-box player by any stretch.

He might develop in to one though.....
Technically gifted players in the SPL tend to be pushed further forward to take advantage of that. Same with Scott Brown. If Brown was playing in the likes of Italy or Spain he'd be playing a much more defensive role. I'd describe McCarthy as box to box. Certainly his SPL debut against Dundee Utd when I watched him closest he was stopping loads of attacks at one end and winning free kicks at the other.

Martinez today:
"There were several clubs chasing James. It is fantastic he has chosen Wigan.

He had a very difficult decision to make and, fair play to him, he took his time to weigh up all his options, take advice and make his mind up.

That shows a huge amount of maturity for a boy of his age, but then maturity is probably the one word I would use above all others to describe him.

He has the ability to become a big player in the future and it is great to have him on board."

geysir

21/07/2009, 5:07 PM

Bit off topic, however apparently Strachan didn't buy Keano - he was off ill and the deal was orchestrated by the Coventry Chairman (and disgraced MP) Geoffrey Robinson. Rumour has is that Coventry didn't even own him (Robinson did) and he was brought in at the request of Inter to see if he would make the grade as their manager at the time was a big fan (think it was passarella?). Sorry, Keano's move to Coventry was a heart-breaking one.
That makes a good read.
Sound like there was also some pain at not having that lucrative sell on clause;)
AFAIR, Strachan had been stalking Robbie's career for some time and was there for the signing. Coventry sold some player, Huckerby? to finance the Robbie transfer fee.
Inter managed to persuade Coventry to agree to a first buy option type contract. Maybe they had to pay Coventry for that.

zackmorris

21/07/2009, 6:33 PM

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_5446987,00.html

McCarthy explains move.

tetsujin1979

21/07/2009, 8:44 PM

Discussing the move on NewsTalk at the moment with Murdo MacLeod

Predator

22/07/2009, 11:35 AM

It's a massive step-up from SPL to EPL. It will be interesting to see if McCarthy can live up to the hype.

tetsujin1979

11/08/2009, 4:11 PM

From today's Herald: http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/brady-talks-up-traps-squad-to-play-australia-1856522.html

"We'll have to watch and see how young McCarthy gets on at Wigan; see can he handle the Premiership. He's a very good young player. I think Giovanni has shown that if someone demonstrates that they can do it, he's not afraid of putting them in."

gally

11/08/2009, 5:07 PM

he apparently hasn't started any friendly games that i have noticed, is he carrying an injury?

Wexford Delboy

11/08/2009, 5:22 PM

his CV fitness isnt up to scratch apparently

tommy_c12000

12/08/2009, 4:44 PM

Cattermole's move to Sunderland frees up more space for McCarthy in the Wigan midfield. Very promising

Fergie's Son

12/08/2009, 6:52 PM

Why isn't he in the squad for tonight's match?

Razors left peg

12/08/2009, 7:05 PM

Why isn't he in the squad for tonight's match?

because he has done nothin in preseason for Wigan yet

Fergie's Son

12/08/2009, 8:22 PM

More to confirm his eligibility.

irishfan86

12/08/2009, 8:42 PM

More to confirm his eligibility.

Under the new rules, a full friendly doesn't lock you down, only a competitive fixture will.

I don't think McCarthy's loyalty is in doubt anymore and he's happy to play at under-age level for us until he's ready.

Razors left peg

12/08/2009, 8:48 PM

More to confirm his eligibility.

absolutely no issue with that

Crosby87

15/08/2009, 7:49 PM

Not in the squad again? Hope he doesn't sit in the stands all year.

Razors left peg

15/08/2009, 7:57 PM

Not in the squad again? Hope he doesn't sit in the stands all year.

what do ya mean again??? That was their first game of the season.Hes 18, just joined a new club and hasnt been heavily involved in preseason due to his fitness, why not give him a couple of months before expecting too much from him

eirebhoy

18/08/2009, 1:04 PM

Sounds like he's coming back from injury anyway with Martinez talking about easing him into training.

irishfan86

18/08/2009, 2:03 PM

Sounds like he's coming back from injury anyway with Martinez talking about easing him into training.

I don't think it's an injury- I just read somewhere that Martinez said his fitness wasn't high enough for the Premier League.

Maybe he had a lazy summer and just didn't show up in top condition? I doubt Hamilton had top level fitness trainers anyway.

tetsujin1979

18/08/2009, 2:37 PM

I don't think it's an injury- I just read somewhere that Martinez said his fitness wasn't high enough for the Premier League.

Maybe he had a lazy summer and just didn't show up in top condition? I doubt Hamilton had top level fitness trainers anyway.
that's harsh, he was fit enough to play more than 40 times last season. You wouldn't survive in the SPL if you weren't able to run for the length of the game, it's fast and furious stuff.