James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[geysir]

If only we could serve him his cap on his doorstep, like a warrant.

[John83]

If only we could serve him his cap on his doorstep, like a warrant.
Tardelli: Hello, could I speak to Mr McCarthy please? I'm with British Gas.
R. Punter: Oh hi, you're here at last. The boiler's only been on fire for a fortnight. JAMES!
McCarthy: Hello? Oh good. Could you shut off the gas for a minute while we put the fire out?
Tardelli: Here you go.
McCarthy: What's this?
Tardelli: You just played in a 3-0 win over Macedonia. Also, you're to appear in court next month. Manuela Spinelli is suing you for child support.
McCarthy: Macedonia? What? I've never slept with...
Tardelli: In Macedonia, she alleges.
McCarthy: I don't even know where that is.
Tardelli: You should ask Jason McAteer.

[Deckydee]

The comments written at the end are pretty rude (to say the least)

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/02/11/republic-of-ireland-star-james-mccarthy-there-was-never-the-slightest-chance-of-me-switching-to-scotland-86908-22914662/


http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/scotland/2011/02/10/give-james-mccarthy-time-to-decide-international-allegiance-says-wigan-boss-martinez-86908-22913228/

[Duggie]

it looks from all reports today that hes with us and thats that which is great for us. this whole weeks media speculation should and could have been avoided though.

[paul_oshea]

Tardelli: Hello, could I speak to Mr McCarthy please? I'm with British Gas.
R. Punter: Oh hi, you're here at last. The boiler's only been on fire for a fortnight. JAMES!
McCarthy: Hello? Oh good. Could you shut off the gas for a minute while we put the fire out?
Tardelli: Here you go.
McCarthy: What's this?
Tardelli: You just played in a 3-0 win over Macedonia. Also, you're to appear in court next month. Manuela Spinelli is suing you for child support.
McCarthy: Macedonia? What? I've never slept with...
Tardelli: In Macedonia, she alleges.
McCarthy: I don't even know where that is.
Tardelli: You should ask Jason McAteer.

Did anyone else put on an italian accent for the first line?

[Duggie]

yes and a scottish accent for james..hahaa

[paul_oshea]

That guy spouting about the banks hasn't a clue. Although there are lots of people in that boat, not just those posters from scotland :D

[paul_oshea]

yes and a scottish accent for james..hahaa

Ya I thought Noely had actually put a few "a"s after words :D

i cant do a scottish accent so that didnt work :(

[Bottle of Tonic]

Good to hear from a proper source. However all could have been avoided and as long as james is not capped this could well crop up again in a few months. How many times over the last couple of years has his camp had to come out and deny he was switching back?
I remember when Mcgeady broke onto the scene there was an uproar in the scots media over his decision to go with us. He still wasn't tied down but first opportunity we got he was on off the bench for 5 mins in some end of season Jamaica(?) game in a symbolic 'hands off he is ours' gesture. We could have been calling up James for ages now in a similar fashion.

Also some of the guff attributed to Trap and Shay this week has been a balls-up. 'he's our player and will very soon have a great career with Ireland' should have been the party line.

[Wolfie]

The comments written at the end are pretty rude (to say the least)

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/02/11/republic-of-ireland-star-james-mccarthy-there-was-never-the-slightest-chance-of-me-switching-to-scotland-86908-22914662/


http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/scotland/2011/02/10/give-james-mccarthy-time-to-decide-international-allegiance-says-wigan-boss-martinez-86908-22913228/

Hopefully its all set up for McCarthy to score the winner against Scotland in May.

[Stuttgart88]

We could have been calling up James for ages now in a similar fashion.

Also some of the guff attributed to Trap and Shay this week has been a balls-up. 'he's our player and will very soon have a great career with Ireland' should have been the party line.

wrt your first point, did we have that many real opportunities to cap him? When did the rules change?

re-Trap & Given's comments: bang on.

[boovidge]

Hopefully its all set up for McCarthy to score the winner against Scotland in May.

and Gibson to score against NI ;)

[cornflakes]

The comments written at the end are pretty rude (to say the least)

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/2011/02/11/republic-of-ireland-star-james-mccarthy-there-was-never-the-slightest-chance-of-me-switching-to-scotland-86908-22914662/



RickyBlue wrote:
This is a no story just some guy "James Who?" looking to get his name in the paper. If he can't get a game for ROI what makes him think he would get picked for Scotland. Better players can't get into the Scotland team.

ha ha

[Duggie]

those scottish supporters are deluded full of hatred, still not surprising some of there best players wanting to be irish.haha. they must be all rangers fans id say.

[Noelys Guitar]

ha ha

Spain, Holland and the sweaties in that order.

[LFCSixty/Eighty]

Also some of the guff attributed to Trap and Shay this week has been a balls-up. 'he's our player and will very soon have a great career with Ireland' should have been the party line.

Exactly! Looks like this 20 year old young man has more media savvy that our 70 year old Italian manager. It is very mature of him to let his agent do the talking on his behalf and concentrate on his football, rather than have a twitter page like so many of his contemporaries.

Trap needs to take a leaf out of his book and learn to shut the hell up once in a while. We have dodged this bullet but a quick look into his past interviews will tell you its only a matter of time before it starts costing us players. Leaving aside the Andy Reid and Stephen Reid situations (I won't mention Stephen Ireland, although he has admitted himself this week their meeting was a disaster) he has overseen during his tenure. Here are some others that came to mind when it comes to Trap shooting his mouth off at players under him....

A. Plays Henderson ahead of Dean Kiely for a friendly when he had sat on the bench for the previous campaign (rightly Kiely told he to 'do one' and went home)

B. When asked how Chris McCann played against Man Utd last year he said he had only touched the ball 3 times and had no position (the number of touches comment was proven to be complete rubbish.

C. Gibson - Tells him to leave Man Utd twice after previously been told by Gibson to mind his own business

D. C Clark - Had only declared for us when Trap was asked how he thought Clark had done against Arsenal (where he had scored 2 goals) Traps suggests (while laughing) that 'He is not a midfielder, watch Barcelona v Real Madrid (5-0 to Barca match) to see real midfielders'. To say you should watch the best team in the world to base you judgement on a midfielders ability is a complete nonsense. If anyone had seen Alonso in that match they would have thought he should be playing in the Non-League.

E. Keane - Warns our top ever goalscorer to leave or be dropped. Again no need to say it publicly, did keane really have to be told??

F. kilbane - Got a fax to say he is dropped. KK says he is not happy. Trap said he sent a text but it must not have delivered. I would love to see that text 'if' he did send it. He can barely speak English, how on earth would he be able to write anything that would not look abrupt send in a text message. This to a man who has over 100 caps. God knows what he wrote if he did write it..surely something eloquent as 'You are...ah....dropped....ah....' Jebus wept.

In the last 20 years I cannot remember Alex Ferguson making any such comments like this about players under him. Trap does it every interview.

Before its too late somebody has to clip his wings. If that means not doing interviews I'm willing to sacrifice that 'honour'!

[Duggie]

I would love to see that text 'if' he did send it.

"Whats up kev, u is not needed v wales. L8ters". IL TRAP.

[Charlie Darwin]

A. Plays Henderson ahead of Dean Kiely for a friendly when he had sat on the bench for the previous campaign (rightly Kiely told he to 'do one' and went home)
It was Westwood, who's now firmly established as our number two, while Deano has all but retired from the playing side of things.

[LFCSixty/Eighty]

It was Westwood, who's now firmly established as our number two, while Deano has all but retired from the playing side of things.

Sorry your right, it was Westwood but my point stands. At the time Dean Kiely was our number 2 and deserved to be given the nod. He was the one asked to come out of retirement knowing he would be Givens number 2 and was prepared to do that. For a man who had not got many caps because of the quality of Given, to start game was the least he deserved in my opinion.

[Sullivinho]

Well...that was an exciting few days!

Now excuse me while I nurse this news report hangover.

[Murfinator]

I'm sorry but a lot of this stick aimed at trap is unfounded, yes he may be doing things that is upsetting players but that's not always unwarranted.

-> Dean Kiely was ancient and a backup at his club, what was there to gain playing him in a friendly when there's a young up and coming player who needed the experience instead? Ultimately Trap's decision was vindicated when Kiely for the second time in his international career took his ball and went home because he wasn't being played. Would have been wasting his time giving game time to someone with that attitude.

-> Gibson is a 23 year old who has made a total of 8 league appearances all season for his club, most of them either off the bench or being taken off halfway through. He's regularly not in the match squad at all and will never develop his game until he gets regular game time. Trap obviously sees theres some problem with Gibson be it match fitness or consistency that can be rectified by this so what on earth is wrong with saying as such? If it hurts Darrens feelings then boo-hoo, I'm sure it'd hurt him even more if he was dropped from the squad without a reason.

-> Ditto Keane and I think him needing a move was common sense we could all agree with. As for making it public? I thought it was a smart move as it dispells the idea that Keane is undroppable, encouraging all the other strikers that they have an opportunity for a starting place now. If Keane's attitude is right he'll knuckle down and sort out his situation, if its wrong he'll threaten to take his ball and go home a la kiely.

-> Kilbane is a 34 year old spent force playing in League 1, I honestly think faxing him the decision is a courtesy that every other player in previous squads would not have been given.
Bearing in mind this is for a trifling friendly where the main purpose was to try out some new young options. He even mentioned after the game that Kilbane was still in his plans, it's not as if this decision signals the end of his international career or anything.


Generally all of Traps comments about players have been in the area of:

-> Commitment (He wants every player to be at their national teams beck and call)
-> Attitude (No crap from his players)
-> Match Fitness (Players playing regularly at their clubs is a must for him)

And I don't think its unreasonable for any manager to demand these things and if all 3 aren't given then you'll be sidelined from his plans, which is simply what these public warnings are. I like the discipline he's brought in, it'll weed out some for sure but it'll give us a better team and mentality over all.

[geysir]

KK
"and it was great to be picked in Mr Trapattoni’s initial squad, because I really want to carry on playing at international level.
But if the coach doesn’t pick me to play now or in future squads, then so be it. I’m big enough to take it and I will just concentrate on my club football.”

[paul_oshea]

Geysir where did ye get that? Copyright claim :D

[ArdeeBhoy]

James McArthur is also eligible for us, via his mum's side. Why not him also??

McCarthy will turn out to be no better than McGeady anyway, mark my words.

Some snippets about the story though in this thread. http://www.wsc.co.uk/component/option,com_kunena/Itemid,73/func,view/catid,27/id,488059/limit,20/limitstart,60/

Be warned, they're normally quite snotty about foot.ie on here.

[geysir]

Geysir where did ye get that? Copyright claim :D

KK ready to splash paint (http://www.examiner.co.uk/huddersfield-town-fc/huddersfield-town-news/2011/02/03/huddersfield-town-s-kevin-kilbane-back-on-for-carlisle-united-clash-after-republic-omission-86081-28105647/)

[AlaskaFox]

James McArthur is also eligible for us, via his mum's side. Why not him also??

Richie Dunne needs to go on loan to Wigan I think.

[paul_oshea]

Some great posts today lads keep it up

Geysir you are doing your own splashing with all these anchor links.

[Sullivinho]

Recovered from his ankle injury in time to face Liverpool tomorrow according to SSN.

[CraftyToePoke]

Well, it does look like he is now our player and that is a huge relief if it holds true, he is among the best prospects, emphasis on prospect, in my time following Ireland.

However, I dont think you get to a stage in the modern media savvy environs of football where Levein, Trap and Martinez all cite some kind of decision needing to be made by the player, without there being some creedence to that. How he ended up feeling that way clearly leads back to Trap and his omission from the original Senior squad almost tipped this one the other way, thats my reading of it. Thankfully, Trap seems to have agreed to get him involved and make him feel wanted by us, and it's understandable a lad from his background wanting that, completely so.

That also didnt come from Trap himself I feel, judging by his dealings with other players, which err on the harsh side whether you agree with them or not, I feel he had to be told to sort this one and not lose this player, by whom remains to be seen, biographys in a few years will shed more light I suppose. It points also to a worrying blind spot in his knowledge of how good this guy might become. It doesnt fill me with confidence in the man, and our performances of late havent either, but the squad is growing, deepth which hasnt been there in a while, so it can still come right.

It does make me wonder though, how many other 'inbetweener' players of dual eligibility might now be options for us, who arent, due to his ways.

[SkStu]

Exactly! Looks like this 20 year old young man has more media savvy that our 70 year old Italian manager. It is very mature of him to let his agent do the talking on his behalf and concentrate on his football, rather than have a twitter page like so many of his contemporaries.

Trap needs to take a leaf out of his book and learn to shut the hell up once in a while. We have dodged this bullet but a quick look into his past interviews will tell you its only a matter of time before it starts costing us players. Leaving aside the Andy Reid and Stephen Reid situations (I won't mention Stephen Ireland, although he has admitted himself this week their meeting was a disaster) he has overseen during his tenure. Here are some others that came to mind when it comes to Trap shooting his mouth off at players under him....

A. Plays Henderson ahead of Dean Kiely for a friendly when he had sat on the bench for the previous campaign (rightly Kiely told he to 'do one' and went home)

B. When asked how Chris McCann played against Man Utd last year he said he had only touched the ball 3 times and had no position (the number of touches comment was proven to be complete rubbish.

C. Gibson - Tells him to leave Man Utd twice after previously been told by Gibson to mind his own business

D. C Clark - Had only declared for us when Trap was asked how he thought Clark had done against Arsenal (where he had scored 2 goals) Traps suggests (while laughing) that 'He is not a midfielder, watch Barcelona v Real Madrid (5-0 to Barca match) to see real midfielders'. To say you should watch the best team in the world to base you judgement on a midfielders ability is a complete nonsense. If anyone had seen Alonso in that match they would have thought he should be playing in the Non-League.

E. Keane - Warns our top ever goalscorer to leave or be dropped. Again no need to say it publicly, did keane really have to be told??

F. kilbane - Got a fax to say he is dropped. KK says he is not happy. Trap said he sent a text but it must not have delivered. I would love to see that text 'if' he did send it. He can barely speak English, how on earth would he be able to write anything that would not look abrupt send in a text message. This to a man who has over 100 caps. God knows what he wrote if he did write it..surely something eloquent as 'You are...ah....dropped....ah....' Jebus wept.

In the last 20 years I cannot remember Alex Ferguson making any such comments like this about players under him. Trap does it every interview.

Before its too late somebody has to clip his wings. If that means not doing interviews I'm willing to sacrifice that 'honour'!

absolutely horrific stuff alright. Especially the fact that he has wings. I have to say i didnt know that. ;)

Good post.

[SwanVsDalton]

Be warned, they're normally quite snotty about foot.ie on here.

Just curious, but why's that? Never visited the WSC forums, but the comments under many articles are generally drivel.

[SwanVsDalton]

In the last 20 years I cannot remember Alex Ferguson making any such comments like this about players under him. Trap does it every interview.

I don't think Ferguson's the example you're looking for - at least Paul Ince (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/oct/04/premierleague.blackburn) and Gordon Strachan (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/5335578.stm) probably wouldn't think so. And I doubt Dwight Yorke, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and the boot Fergie threw at Beckham's head would agree with you either. It being behind closed doors hardly makes it any better...

Also - has Ferguson actually never said "I don't see him as a midfielder' or 'he didn't have that many touches'?

[SkStu]

probably not about his own players and probably not after the non midfielder played a game in midfield against a top 4, scoring 2 goals.

[theworm2345]

Recovered from his ankle injury in time to face Liverpool tomorrow according to SSN.
So, a British-born player who has always been committed to Ireland who is called up after not initially being in the squad hurts his foot (specifically the back of it), pulls out of the squad for a midweek friendly and there is confusion over why he pulled out with the manager, whose people skills are highly questionable, saying one thing and the player and his club manager saying another. He then plays (I'd assume) the next weekend. Going off history, is it fair for me to assume McCarthy will be slated and written off as arrogant for the next 8+ years?

[SwanVsDalton]

probably not about his own players and probably not after the non midfielder played a game in midfield against a top 4, scoring 2 goals.

Maybe, but then is the Ciaran Clark comment less one of 'bad PR' and just whether it's a badly formed opinion? Cos I've watched Clark a lot and agree - he ain't a midfielder.

[geysir]

That also didnt come from Trap himself I feel, judging by his dealings with other players, which err on the harsh side
Trap's form while manager at Italy, shows overwhelming readiness to overlook angry critical public outbursts by some of the benched players, and bring them back in to the team.

It does make me wonder though, how many other 'inbetweener' players of dual eligibility might now be options for us, who arent, due to his ways.
James O'Hara, Noble ..... tragic isn't it, to have missed out on this pair?
Have you little else to wonder about, except the speculative imaginings about the impact from supposed actions of Trapattoni?

[SkStu]

Maybe, but then is the Ciaran Clark comment less one of 'bad PR' and just whether it's a badly formed opinion? Cos I've watched Clark a lot and agree - he ain't a midfielder.

i have only ever seen him play at the back (though i did see his goals from midfield).

I think the issue is one of Trap coming out with those comments without Clark ever having been called up to a squad and, thus, without Trap ever having seen him play in midfield. The game he scouted Clark playing in was when he played defender.

[Sullivinho]

So, a British-born player who has always been committed to Ireland who is called up after not initially being in the squad hurts his foot (specifically the back of it), pulls out of the squad for a midweek friendly and there is confusion over why he pulled out with the manager, whose people skills are highly questionable, saying one thing and the player and his club manager saying another. He then plays (I'd assume) the next weekend. Going off history, is it fair for me to assume McCarthy will be slated and written off as arrogant for the next 8+ years?

Don: Hello James. It's Don Givens. Are you fit?
James: Tae wi' do ah oo dae honor?
Don: ....Hello?
James: Bawface.

[SwanVsDalton]

Don: Hello James. It's Don Givens. Are you fit?
James: Tae wi' do ah oo dae honor?
Don: ....Hello?
James: Bawface.

Haha. Like Don Givens would ring a player....

[ArdeeBhoy]

Just curious, but why's that? Never visited the WSC forums, but the comments under many articles are generally drivel.
To be fair, it depends. Though if you went on their MB and said you came from here, you'd probably provoke that reaction, well at at least from some posters. The ball's in your court.

[Noelys Guitar]

Wigan play Liverpool, Bolton, Man utd, Man City and Birmingham before we play Macedonia. There is going to be huge interest in these Wigan games just to see if McCarthy continues with his recent excellent good form. At the moment I would say his chances of starting against Macedonia are in the 5% range. If he excels (especially in the games against Liverpool, utd and city) then his chances of starting should jump up to around the 45% mark.

[Stuttgart88]

I think he could play brilliantly and score in all of those games and still not even be close to a start.

[John83]

KK
"and it was great to be picked in Mr Trapattoni’s initial squad, because I really want to carry on playing at international level.
But if the coach doesn’t pick me to play now or in future squads, then so be it. I’m big enough to take it and I will just concentrate on my club football.”
Every now and then, Kilbane reminds me why he's a legend.

[Charlie Darwin]

The phrase "good pro" has become a backhanded compliment in recent years but the man just typifies the professional attitude and commitment to his cause. I'd be sad to see him left out of the squad, if only because nobody could afford to slack off with him around.

[Crosby87]

Should be on the staff the moment he retires.

[Charlie Darwin]

TRAP OUT KILBANE IN???

c

[CraftyToePoke]

Trap's form while manager at Italy, shows overwhelming readiness to overlook angry critical public outbursts by some of the benched players, and bring them back in to the team.

James O'Hara, Noble ..... tragic isn't it, to have missed out on this pair?
Have you little else to wonder about, except the speculative imaginings about the impact from supposed actions of Trapattoni?

Difference being those Italians didnt have a neighbouring country in their ear and the option of playing for that other country still very much alive.

I wasnt referring to either O'Hara or Noble and indeed have posted elsewhere my opposition to guys like this representing me in an Ireland shirt, as its clearly the second of two options for them. There are several others, I think as many as four were mentioned by Trap himself at one stage, who we are yet to see materialise.

All fair enough comments I feel, Geysir, your reaction has taken me aback a little, but as you enquire I do frequently turm my thoughts to other matters, some great, some small, and garner great enjoyment from these tangents of thought, and will continue to do so, God willing.

[Paddy Garcia]

I think he could play brilliantly and score in all of those games and still not even be close to a start.

His form over the last 18 months means he is already a no brainer to start againt Macedonia - when compared to the midfielders we currently send out in hopeless hope.

[geysir]

Difference being those Italians didnt have a neighbouring country in their ear and the option of playing for that other country still very much alive.

That might be a difference but it does not explain his managerial manner. He had plenty of alternative options in Italy to replacing a píssed off angry player for good, but instead he managed them fairly.


There are several others, I think as many as four were mentioned by Trap himself at one stage, who we are yet to see materialise.
We don´t know anything about the other 4, and if it takes selling the idea of playing for Ireland to convince them, then I´m not interested or bothered. If you are, then so be it.

[paul_oshea]

My god some ppl never get off this site.