James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[tetsujin1979]

from football365 today: http://football365.com/mediawatch/0,17033,8749_6787322,00.html

That's That Excuse Out Of The Window
Everyone, Fergie aside of course, seems agreed that the FA have made fools of themselves by not banning Wayne Rooney for his assault on James McCarthy.

They have, of course, hidden behind the Fifa directive that if a referee deals with an incident during play, the association is powerless to add any additional punishment, or do anything that contradicts the on-field opinion of the referee.

Many have cited the previous example of Ben Thatcher rearranging Pedro Mendes's face, but that was slightly different because it involved a ban additional to the standard three games for violent conduct.

However, one example not quite as many have recalled is that of Milos Krasic, the outrageously talented Juventus winger who flopped to the floor to win a penalty in a match against Bologna earlier this season - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-fQCZhwvOg

In that case the referee saw the incident, gave the penalty but after the Italian FA spotted the hilarious cheating, they intervened and banned Krasic for two games.

So that's that excuse out of the window then.

[paul_oshea]

I'm sure though they can appeal to higher if he had really wanted to, perhaps they were afraid to call fergies bluff by bending the rules.

[old git]

Zero chance Rooney will get done for that elbow, different rules apply for Man U, refs and authorities in England are totally intimidated by Ferguson.

ok we all know rooney got off this time .. but man u have been punished by authorites in england enough times in the past probally more because of high profile players so dont agree with you on this count .. will david luiz now get punished for his late and off the ball tackle on rooney in tonights game !!! also thought rooney had a brass neck to complain at end to ref after how he escaped punishment for his elbow on mccarthy at weekend

[old git]

The FA have set a precedent here, that for any elbow to the head, a free kick is a sufficient response from the official

the FA / FIFA all do the easy option hide behind the so-called referee's report take the easy option ... the perfect example alan shearer kicking neil lennon in the face newcastle v leicester 1998 when as captian of england 6 weeks before world cup started f.a. quote We're waiting to receive the match official's report before we decide what to do," the FA spokesman, Steve Double, said. "At this stage what course of action we take is totally dependent on that." hearing was brought forward and shearer even cleared to play in f.a cup final see link to incident http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ss_7WGYa9nQ

[AlaskaFox]

Wigan's player of the Month for February:
http://www.wigan.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=233634
71% of the vote too.

[Noelys Guitar]

A couple of the other Ireland fan sites are reporting on an article in todays Sunday Times. Trapatonni and Tardelli met with McCarthy last weekend and everything has been sorted out. Set to be selected tomorrow. Can anyone on here verify?

[Charlie Darwin]

Dan McDonnell said the same thing on the Twitter Machine just now: "Good news that Trapattoni met with James McCarthy to sort out confusion. Player content with how it went. We can all move on...."

[Crosby87]

Hope that this is true. I think YBIG is usually pretty good when they aren't talking racist crap like 3 year olds.
Really really hoping he gets picked and plays in the Mace game. Dude has 121 pages and he has never played a senior international. Has to be a record.

[gilberto_eire]

Dude has 121 pages and he has never played a senior international. Has to be a record.

Oh but he has.... he got a run against Brazil in the Emirates.

[Sullivinho]

Smart enough move if true. Hopefully the prelude to his inclusion in the squad tomorrow, sans third parties like Martinez on PR duties.

[CraftyToePoke]

Smart enough move if true. Hopefully the prelude to his inclusion in the squad tomorrow, sans third parties like Martinez on PR duties.

Finally a smart move in this from Trap, if it all proves true. We were due a smart move from him in this saga, a mess entirely of his own making, just had to make the young guy feel wanted and not muck him about in U21 squads while picking dross by comparison ahead of him, a young guy who put up with God knows what in Scotland from the terraces in order to play for us.

I have lost a lot of time for Trap in all this, and the Ciaran Clark thing also, we can dredge up Championship players with one Irish grandparent at will it seems, but If Dunne didnt catch Clarks mothers accent the FAI would have been none the wiser, thats quite a blind spot in the scouting.

[EastTerracer]

From tomorrow's Irish Times:

"James McCarthy seems likely to be included in Trapattoni’s squad following what is reported to have been a positive meeting between the two men in England last week. The Wigan midfielder is said to have assured the manager of his commitment to the Irish cause and would be expected to join up with the squad in the event he is included despite the suggestion he is under pressure from his club not to pursue his international ambitions at this time."
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0314/1224292063464.html

[SkStu]

finally a bit of management from the manager.

[tricky_colour]

From Wigan's point of view you can understand them not wanting to play internationals.
Mind you they look doomed at the moment, perhaps Martinez has thrown in the towel on
trying to prevent him playing, or is hoping the experience might improve their fortunes in
the league. Him getting a full cap might give the team a boost and ear them some respect
from the opposition. They need a change of some sort because maintaining the status-quo
seems to equate to relegation anyway.

[tetsujin1979]

From today's Independent: "McCarthy happy after clear-the-air Trap talks" - http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/mccarthy-happy-after-cleartheair-trap-talks-2578176.html

[TiocfaidhArmani]

They have no right to interfere in his career, he's a young man he can handle a few games ffs. Finally Trap has done what he is paid very well for - managed!

[geysir]

'The Ireland boss, in addition to his assistant Marco Tardelli, went to meet with the 20-year-old last week after an unnecessary furore around the last game with Wales where Trapattoni appeared to give weight to groundless speculation that McCarthy was contemplating a switch to play for Scotland'

McDonnell inadvertently admits that much of his own speculation was groundless, contributing to the unnecessary furore. His own standards of journalism, in relation to the varying issues around the team last month, dropped into the gutter of groundless speculation and sensation.

[EastTerracer]

The role of Martinez in all the confusion last month is pretty alarming. According to the reports over the weekend James McCarthy met with Craig Levein towards the end of last year at Wigan's request. We've seen Martinez (who spent a brief spell as a player at Motherwell) sitting with Levein at a premier league game this season and the picture below shows Levein and Martinez chatting at a Scotland training session in October.

It seems that this goes way beyond "protecting" James McCarthy and looks more like a manager trying to influence his player towards Scotland.

Thankfully it looks like James is not falling for any of this guff. Wigan have no power to prevent a player from joining an international squad unless the player is injured so I'd fully expect to see James in Dublin next week for training.
http://c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00009pVRz.34khk/s/700/WV2-Scotland-training.jpg

[Sullivinho]

The role of Martinez in all the confusion last month is pretty alarming.

That was a fairly substantial cat bomb he detonated on pigeon street alright. I wasn't aware that Levein's meeting with McCarthy was at the club's behest, thought that was all Levein's doing. I do remember him saying he received "no encouragement whatsoever" from McCarthy so I imagine Martinez was equally disappointed with how that went. Although he'll surely be more upset with his club's imminent relegation.

[Stuttgart88]

...and I'm not sure that McCarthy will be Martinez' concern for too much longer.

[The Fly]

McCarthy happy after clear-the-air Trap talks (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/mccarthy-happy-after-cleartheair-trap-talks-2578176.html)

[CraftyToePoke]

McCarthy happy after clear-the-air Trap talks (http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/mccarthy-happy-after-cleartheair-trap-talks-2578176.html)

You have got the old 'writing on the links' down, I see Fly. Wont be no stopping you now boyo.

[DannyInvincible]

The role of Martinez in all the confusion last month is pretty alarming. According to the reports over the weekend James McCarthy met with Craig Levein towards the end of last year at Wigan's request. We've seen Martinez (who spent a brief spell as a player at Motherwell) sitting with Levein at a premier league game this season and the picture below shows Levein and Martinez chatting at a Scotland training session in October.

It seems that this goes way beyond "protecting" James McCarthy and looks more like a manager trying to influence his player towards Scotland.

Maybe there is - or was, rather - something going on behind the scenes with Martinez, but what would be his motivation to act in the interests of Craig Levein, or even Scotland for that matter? He spent a season in Scotland, making 16 appearances for Motherwell during his time there, but why should that have any bearing on who he'd rather McCarthy to play for?

[SwanVsDalton]

You have got the old 'writing on the links' down, I see Fly. Wont be no stopping you now boyo.

An excerpt from Flying High: The Fly Story
Chapter 12 - White House Calling

"...ever since I was just a young maggot, crawling through dirt, I've dreamed of leading the world from that famous Oval Office. Little did I know I would eventually sprout wings and make it there - but I did have several major obstacles to overcome (such as not being a US national or a human being). However one day I realised anything was possible, if I just put my mind to it. That was the day I fully discovered how to embed hyperlinks in text when posting on football messaging boards..."

[The Fly]

You have got the old 'writing on the links' down, I see Fly. Wont be no stopping you now boyo.

Rather worringly, I have found myself tempted to join other forums for no other reason other than to show off my newfound skill. :eek:


An excerpt from Flying High: The Fly Story
Chapter 12 - White House Calling

"...ever since I was just a young maggot, crawling through dirt, I've dreamed of leading the world from that famous Oval Office. Little did I know I would eventually sprout wings and make it there - but I did have several major obstacles to overcome (such as not being a US national or a human being). However one day I realised anything was possible, if I just put my mind to it. That was the day I fully discovered how to embed hyperlinks in text when posting on football messaging boards..."

http://209.85.122.87/5902/57/0/e14535/e14535.gif

[EastTerracer]

Maybe there is - or was, rather - something going on behind the scenes with Martinez, but what would be his motivation to act in the interests of Craig Levein, or even Scotland for that matter? He spent a season in Scotland, making 16 appearances for Motherwell during his time there, but why should that have any bearing on who he'd rather McCarthy to play for?

I'm not sure what his motivation might be - it could be he is simply doing a favour for a friend (e.g. Levein) even though he shouldn't be getting involved. In the 90s the issues of having a restricted number of foreign players put a premium on British players so maybe the club have some preference here as well.

I am reading between the lines so I admit its speculative but Martinez's comments were unhelpful and disruptive last month so thought it was interesting.

Thankfully it will all be irrelevant next week when James gets a competitive appearance under his belt.

[dr_peepee]

If he shows up!!

[CraftyToePoke]

Rather worringly, I have found myself tempted to join other forums for no other reason other than to show off my newfound skill

Tis a noble art Fly, spread it with pride. Go forth and enjoy, dont stop until there is a by law brought in that stipulates that a matter cannot be considered to have any basis in fact until Fly has linked it.

[DannyInvincible]

I'm not sure what his motivation might be - it could be he is simply doing a favour for a friend (e.g. Levein) even though he shouldn't be getting involved. In the 90s the issues of having a restricted number of foreign players put a premium on British players so maybe the club have some preference here as well.

I am reading between the lines so I admit its speculative but Martinez's comments were unhelpful and disruptive last month so thought it was interesting.

Thankfully it will all be irrelevant next week when James gets a competitive appearance under his belt.

Martinez' words/actions along with the photo would suggest a rather cosy relationship so I wasn't doubting there might be a closeness there; it just seemed odd to me as to how the two might have become so friendly for one to feel like he may owe the other a "favour" of some sort.


If he shows up!!

Don't start!

[CraftyToePoke]

If he shows up!!

If he pulls out with an injury I predict this thread will break 200 pages before we see him in green, competitively, that is.

[Yard of Pace]

Martinez' words/actions along with the photo would suggest a rather cosy relationship so I wasn't doubting there might be a closeness there; it just seemed odd to me as to how the two might have become so friendly for one to feel like he may owe the other a "favour" of some sort.



Don't start!

Well Levein's ploy didn't work anyway but it was certainly worth a try. Did someone say Martinez's wife is a Scot? Just checked Wiki there, she is.
Also with some people giving out about Levein here, I wonder how many would do the same if Trap had tried it with some fantastic prospect?

[geysir]

I'm not sure what his motivation might be - it could be he is simply doing a favour for a friend (e.g. Levein) even though he shouldn't be getting involved. In the 90s the issues of having a restricted number of foreign players put a premium on British players so maybe the club have some preference here as well.

I am reading between the lines so I admit its speculative but Martinez's comments were unhelpful and disruptive last month so thought it was interesting.
Thankfully it will all be irrelevant next week when James gets a competitive appearance under his belt.
Sounds to me that Martinez deliberately misled Trap into having a suspicion that James was not yet fully decided and that was the reason for James not turning up. And it was a strong enough misdirection, that Trap went to meet James personally before announcing the squad.

[seanfhear]

Martinez has come out looking like a prat in all this.

When your team is looking like relegation material coming out looking like a prat ain't going to help your long term employment prospects !

[Brendan 82]

Yes, I agree. I seem to remember Martinez saying something like "he has a difficult decision to make". That comment appears quite ridiculous now considering that he has played for our U21 side for years, has a senior cap, and is now in the most recent squad.

[IsMiseSean]

Why were we all so worried???

[geysir]

Whose we?

[IsMiseSean]

Ok the majority on here...

[geysir]

You mean those gutless fans.
:D

[Crosby87]

Maybe Martinez had his bosses saying, do what you can to keep him from Int'l play, we want to sell him in the off season when we go down and fire you, and we cant afford him getting hurt.
And maybe his wife was like Och Aye. If yer good for anything yal get em back in Scotland.
Thats all I got.

[geysir]

Martinez's wife could have gone on a sex strike and he broke down after 5 minutes.

[The Fly]

Ok the majority on here...

Blame it on the male menopause.

[tommy_c12000]

Couple of quick observational points:

Been keeping an eye on Wigan's website all day, no mention of McCarthy's call up yet, one wonders if Martinez has exercised a degree of censorship on the site. Most of the other Prem clubs have full international role calls on their website.

Sammon is still not ready for his premiership debut due to inadequate fitness levels for the Prem. This is well over a month after his transfer. This guy was setting the SPL alight. He must be well below the levels required, considering Wigan's imperious position and dire need for a goalscorer, he would surely have been pressed into action by now. I remember it took McCarthy a few months to get his fitness levels up to the required level. I know he was only 19 and Martinez was introducing him gradually, but I think it really shows up the difference in standard between the EPL and the SPL. They are even poles apart when it comes to the basics such as fitness levels, never mind skill levels.

http://www.wiganlatics.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10429~2307071,00.html

[Charlie Darwin]

Sammon made his Wigan debut last week, didn't he? Unless you mean his first start.

[Crosby87]

Been keeping an eye on Wigan's website all day, no mention of McCarthy's call up yet, one wonders if Martinez has exercised a degree of censorship on the site. Most of the other Prem clubs have full international role calls on their website.

Think ye might be reading a bit too much into that Tom. Cat's out of the bag. What is keeping it off a somewhat obscure website going to do?

[tetsujin1979]

Sammon made his Wigan debut last week, didn't he? Unless you mean his first start.
yeah, he came off the bench against Man City and nearly scored

[Noelys Guitar]

yeah, he came off the bench against Man City and nearly scored

I was very impressed with him when he came on. Looked pacy and was very unlucky not to score.

[Colbert Report]

The commentator went on and on about how Martinez had brought him on too late. I was watching and he looked like a real battering ram up front.

[gastric]

According to the Indo, McCarthy will probably be used as a sub, but will see game time at some stage in the match. At least this will end the nationality issue for good!

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/trap-challenge-for-mccarthy-2579295.html

[The Fly]

According to the Indo, McCarthy will probably be used as a sub, but will see game time at some stage in the match. At least this will end the nationality issue for good!

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/trap-challenge-for-mccarthy-2579295.html

Allow me -

According to the Indo, McCarthy will probably be used as a sub, but will see game time at some stage in the match. At least this will end the nationality issue for good!

(http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/trap-challenge-for-mccarthy-2579295.html)

[Stuttgart88]

Magnificent Fly.