James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[geysir]

Anyway, you can't make a judgement about his pace based on that yellow card incident.

Looking at the Wigan team these last 2 games, it looks a very good place for McCarthy to stay another year, especially if Martinez is allowed to build on this.

[Charlie Darwin]

Pace is something that can be worked on with weights anyway. Look at how much Gerrard has bulked up since he broke into the Liverpool team.

[rebelmusic]

To make a point worth noting, Roy keane was only 19 when he went to Forest. I think it's fair to say that this kid is on the up. He has half a season as a premiership starter under his belt. Regardless of how much he contributes to 2012, if he continues his development he'll be a main stay for 2014. Really excited by him to be honest, and some of the other kids coming up like meyler and coleman

[irishfan86]

McCarthy is actually surprisingly quick from what I've seen. I didn't see the foul in question, but if you are facing a player running at you, it doesn't matter how quick you are; if they are running at full tilt you are not going to turn around and catch them.

Brains and athleticism are probably the two most important attributes for a central midfielder and I think he scores very high in both these departments.

[tricky_colour]

Anyone see his shot at west ham?
http://www.footytube.com/video/west-ham-united-wigan-athletic-apr24-40694
At 2:50.

That was some strike, pitty the keeper saved it (just).

[Serb]

Anyone see his shot at west ham?
http://www.footytube.com/video/west-ham-united-wigan-athletic-apr24-40694
At 2:50.

That was some strike, pitty the keeper saved it (just).

Jesus, that was some shot alright.

[Junior]

Video removed now it seems.

[Deckydee]

I was just busy on another thread there a few mins ago and when I was looking on another website for info to back up my post I found a very interesting point on a Scottish website.

They claim that the reason that James choose for the Republic was not because it was his grandfathers dying wish but apparently it has all to do with Archie Knox.

Apparently there was a match between a team James was on (I cant say Hamilton because I am not sure) and Rangers. James was man of the match but the manager of the youth team (Ross Mathie) took 8, yes, that’s 8, of the Rangers team with him for the Scottish youth team.

According to this poster anyway, they didn’t want him because of the Irish background.

Of course they deny this: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/hamilton/2008/11/30/archie-knox-i-would-have-given-james-mccarthy-his-chance-for-scotland-78057-20936118/

[rebelmusic]

Has he been removed from the squad for the friendlies? Read it on soccerrepublic but havent seen it anywhere else

[EastTerracer]

Has he been removed from the squad for the friendlies? Read it on soccerrepublic but havent seen it anywhere else

I think it was in most of the papers yesterday as it was announced late on Tuesday evening after the withdrawals of Dunne and Kilbane.

[rebelmusic]

Bahharrrrggg was looking forward to seeing him. Boourns!

[Fergie's Son]

Is he actually tied to us now or no?

[Crosby87]

No Fergie I think he has to play in a non friendly senior match.

[Fergie's Son]

I thought as much. Shame he can't get in for the friendly matches. Really want to see him start to break into the team.

[Razors left peg]

Theres no danger of him not playing for us for years to come whether he is offically tied now or not. In his mind he is 100% committed and thats all that matters

[Charlie Darwin]

As far as I can tell, he is not officially tied, but luckily most players and managers seem to think a friendly does tie you so it won't really be an issue anyway even if he wanted to switch.

[Crosby87]

This could be a long year for young James. Wigan had a few bites in the start of the match vs Chelsea today, Jamie looked active, I like his pace, but.........It may be tough for him this year.
Bad team, relegation fodder, will struggle to score even one goal most games. I think some on here would call that "character building".
Hope those people are right and he doesn't sink in the muck.
Is it better to play on a bad team who gets blitzed all year in the prem or a good Championship side, when you are young? Just a question.
I realize it was a superior opponent today but my concern is, today is August 21st, and Wigan look awful, sort of hopeless. Hopefully, the situation does not totally deteriorate because I think he is our most interesting prospect and I would hate to see how this might end up affecting him.

[Charlie Darwin]

Ashley Young always shone at Watford when they were being given a hiding each week. It's a sink or swim situation but every player has one in some shape or form.

[tetsujin1979]

Roy Keane was in the Nottingham Forest team that was relegated, didn't do his career any harm

[shakermaker1982]

I thought he played well yesterday. He can look up and pass it forward which is something we lack at this moment in time in the middle of the park. Wigan were the better team for the first 45 but the first goal knocked the stuffing out of em.

[tetsujin1979]

Had a powerful shot from outside the area deflect onto the post as well

[aidinho]

I thought he played well yesterday. He can look up and pass it forward which is something we lack at this moment in time in the middle of the park. Wigan were the better team for the first 45 but the first goal knocked the stuffing out of em.

watched him when Hamilton joined the SPL and hes nothing special, he's like a Darren Gibson like player I would say and the other Scottish guy that Wigan have signed with the same kind of of name McArthur I think is even worse.

[Closed Account]

watched him when Hamilton joined the SPL and hes nothing special, he's like a Darren Gibson like player I would say and the other Scottish guy that Wigan have signed with the same kind of of name McArthur I think is even worse.
In fairness if a players first name doesn't begin with A and his surname rhyme with speedy, then you don't seem to rate him, so forgive us if we don't take your opinion as gospel

[elroy]

Why is Trap not including the lad in the squad???

[Stuttgart88]

Because we have no shortage of experienced central midfielders and he's only 19 and in the U21s.

[Brendan 82]

There's no way he would change back now. He has already played for the Senior National team, albeit in a non-binding friendly but has anyone ever switched after having actually played for the Seniors? Seems impossible to imagine

[Stuttgart88]

I doubt it because until recently a senior friendly was enough to tie you.

[Brendan 82]

Yep, thought so; and I don't think he wants to set any such precedent. Case closed

[DannyInvincible]

There's no way he would change back now. He has already played for the Senior National team, albeit in a non-binding friendly but has anyone ever switched after having actually played for the Seniors? Seems impossible to imagine

McCarthy has never represented Scotland at any level, so it's not really an issue of him changing "back", just to be pedantic. ;)

Beyond the odd protests from disgruntled Scottish journalists now and again, and although he's perfectly entitled to change association under current FIFA rules if he so wishes, there's no indication whatsoever that he will switch to Scotland as he has always been committed to Ireland and I don't see why that should change just because he wasn't called into the senior squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers. He's been with us from under-17 level. He's still young at only 19 and he'll play his part soon enough; most likely a fairly major one for us, given his potential.

To the best of my knowledge, no-one has ever switched to another association after playing for our senior side, although Shane Lowry (Australian-born to Irish parents) of Aston Villa switched to Australia after playing for our under-17s and later our under-21s. He has yet to appear at senior level for Australia, however, despite committing to them.

Elsewhere, I am aware that Edgar Castillo won four senior friendly caps for Mexico before switching to the US, for whom he now has one senior cap, and Jermaine Jones had played three times for Germany's senior side in friendly games but has now decided to declare for the US. He was called into their squad earlier this month but pulled out due to fitness concerns. I'm sure there are other players around the world who have played for two senior teams since the rule-change.

[gastric]

Good point Danny! Considering he put up with crap from supporters in Scotland and has declared that the FAI chose him when Scotland showed no interest, why would he now listen to any requests from Levein?

[irishfan86]

Considering he put up with crap from supporters in Scotland and has declared that the FAI chose him when Scotland showed no interest, why would he now listen to any requests from Levein?

The point could be made that he decided to choose Ireland over Scotland because he felt snubbed.

If he feels snubbed by Ireland at senior level, would it be an out of character move to pull a U-turn?

I trust him when he says he's made his decision, so let's hope he stays the course.

[Stuttgart88]

But Trap has shown him interest. He played against Brazil and was in the squad in May but he withdrew (I think). A bit like Noely, the old grey matter is letting me down a bit.

[tetsujin1979]

But Trap has shown him interest. He played against Brazil and was in the squad in May but he withdrew (I think). A bit like Noely, the old grey matter is letting me down a bit.
one quick google later....
from fai.ie: http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100974:trap-names-team-for-training-game&catid=1:senior-men&Itemid=8

Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that injuries have ruled Richard Dunne, Marc Wilson, Kevin Kilbane, Aiden McGeady and James McCarthy out of the squad for the friendly internationals against Paraguay and Algeria at the RDS next Tuesday and Friday respectively.

Also this popped up in the search from the Daily Record (I know, I know): http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/world-football/2010/06/06/wigan-star-james-mccarthy-determined-to-break-into-republic-of-ireland-side-86908-22314241/

And the 19-year-old said: "It would have been great to add to my senior caps but I was nursing a niggling back injury. It was going into a spasm and affecting my hamstrings.
"I spoke to my manager Roberto Martinez about it and he advised me to pull out of the Ireland matches in case I sustained any more damage."

[DannyInvincible]

The point could be made that he decided to choose Ireland over Scotland because he felt snubbed.

I don't think this is why he declared for Ireland though. From what I gather, he is very proud of his Donegal roots and was extremely close to his grandfather from Annagry, to whom he swore he'd play for Ireland before he passed away. Unless that story was fabricated by the media to put a more romantic spin on matters. Still, the fact he played for us at such a young age in the face weekly abuse being hurled at him from the terraces, media and fora in Scotland demonstrates a strength of character and a clear commitment to us. That should stand to him if someone ever suspects his allegiance is in doubt.


If he feels snubbed by Ireland at senior level, would it be an out of character move to pull a U-turn?

If he did make a U-turn, there'd be no going back on it, which, if he were the mercenary type, might appear like a risky thing to do. I'm not for a moment suggesting he is of that persuasion, of course, and I'm aware you're largely speculating, but I don't see how he could feel snubbed by us, unless there is something going on with Trap behind the scenes. As I've said, to already have a friendly senior cap at 19 is a great achievement alone and he was called into our last under-21 squad, wasn't he? He'll make the competitive step up when he's fully ready. He's on a natural curve of progression and I'm sure he knows that holding out for us will pay off eventually.

[geysir]

"to whom he swore he'd play for Ireland before he passed away"
Though his Granddad was a big influence, that bit according to James, is an exaggeration.

It was mentioned in the early pages of this thread
http://foot.ie/threads/68192-James-McCarthy?p=823277&viewfull=1#post823277 (http://foot.68192-James-McCarthy?p=823277&viewfull=1#post823277)

[Stuttgart88]

Dunphy claimed online tonight that McCarthy pulled out of the summer training camp and friendlies complaining of tiredness and management didn't react well to that. Brady added that McCarthy will become a big player for Ireland.

Could Brady have refuted Dunphy's version of events? They don't tally with the quotes above.

Yours scurrilously,

Stuttgart88

[geysir]

More like,
Yours in desperation for a midfield maestro right now,

[Stuttgart88]

Can't help but feel that McCarthy and / or Wilson might just become the missing piece.

When's the next friendly? :)

[TrapAPony]

Can't help but feel that McCarthy and / or Wilson might just become the missing piece.

When's the next friendly? :)

..and don't forget a fit Dave Meyler.

[Sullivinho]

..and don't forget a fit Dave Meyler.

Regarding prospects, I'm as keen on him as I am on McCarthy. Showed tremendous promise last season. Gutted for him and us when he suffered that injury (to the knee of all places) but I hear his recovery is going great.

[rebelmusic]

Next friendly is Norway in...November i believe. Will defo be a new player match going by traps normal plans

[tetsujin1979]

Next friendly is Norway in...November i believe. Will defo be a new player match going by traps normal plans
They beat Portugal 1-0 last night, leaving the Iberians with a grand total of 1 point from 2 games against Cyprus and Norway.

Back on topic, I'd expect McCarthy to be in that squad

[Stuttgart88]

Back off topic, Portugal started their last campaign woefully as well, only a late surge earning them a play-off. A last minute goal in Albania was needed to keep their hopes alive.

[geysir]

WC heroes Denmark are in that group, at home last night they needed a gammy deflected goal in injury time to beat Iceland.
Sort of back on topic, Norway our opponents in the next friendly, have brought back Egil Olsen to coach them, it would be the equivalent of us bringing back Jack.
Anyway, he has them very well organised and Riise is there pumping hard up and down the wings. it won't be a pretty friendly but should have some interest.

[geysir]

Dunphy claimed online tonight that McCarthy pulled out of the summer training camp and friendlies complaining of tiredness and management didn't react well to that. Brady added that McCarthy will become a big player for Ireland.

Could Brady have refuted Dunphy's version of events? They don't tally with the quotes above.

Yours scurrilously,

Stuttgart88

Having listened to it, Brady did not contradict or refute what Dunphy said. Liam added his piece to what Dunphy said. They were in harmony.

[rebelmusic]

Norway would be a good training session for the likes of Macedonia. I hope to see McCarthy and Stokes in that squad. Trap's non-stop searching for a hold up/flick it on striker when Doyle is miles beyond the rest. We need an adequate Robbie replacement imo.

Judging from the Brazil friendly though, do you think Trap sees McCarthy more as a wing option? Or was that just to give him a run out?

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't think McCarthy (nor Fahey) is physically developed enough for Trap to be comfortable playing him in the centre.

[Stuttgart88]

Is Egil Olsen still wearing wellies?

Geysir, I was referring to the quotes from McCarthy re-back spasms or whatever, and how they didn't tally with Dunphy's claim of "tiredness". By not refuting Dunphy, Brady was denying McCarthy's version of events.

These young lads obviously don't realise that attending get-togethers and friendlies is their key to a starting place.

[jbyrne]

Geysir, I was referring to the quotes from McCarthy re-back spasms or whatever, and how they didn't tally with Dunphy's claim of "tiredness". By not refuting Dunphy, Brady was denying McCarthy's version of events.


i remember the offiocial reason being given by the wigan manager as being tiredness. surely that wouldnt have stopped him attending the ten day end of season training camp / friendly matches? it shouldnt be held against mccarthy but he should have made a bigger effort really if it was only tiredness

[geysir]

So getting sent back to play under Givens was Purgatory?