James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[SkStu]

Do they speak English in "What"?

class. :)

[Stuttgart88]

Leave Crozzer alone - the dialect may be different but the interest is the same.

[geysir]

I have just turned on to this game half way through the 1st half and I doubt if there is better on offer tonight.
James has been in the thick of things for a lively Wigan and looking very much the player we'd hoped for.
He went down hurt after a tackle, maybe a hard blow to the shin or maybe he twisted his leg, he limped off but came back on.

[tetsujin1979]

playing really well tonight, making simple, but effective passes. Sitting around the centre circle, breaking up attacks and giving the defence an out ball.
Feared the worst when I saw him go down injured, because it looked like one of those incidents where there's no contact, but whatever way he landed might have tweaked his left knee, but he was up again in a few minutes to applause from the crowd.

Sammon up front playing terribly, incidentally.

[tricky_colour]

Would be great if Sammon could poach a goal.

But somewhat unlikely now he is off the pitch

[brine3]

Sammon is a very fit lad. Maybe he can get into the Ireland team... the 1,600 metres at the Olympics spring to mind.

Martinez playing McCarthy in the holding role is interesting. He's doing very well. Reminds me a bit of Mark Kinsella in his style.

[Charlie Darwin]

Feared the worst when I saw him go down injured, because it looked like one of those incidents where there's no contact, but whatever way he landed might have tweaked his left knee, but he was up again in a few minutes to applause from the crowd.

Sammon up front playing terribly, incidentally.
It was studs on the kneecap from what I could see. Magic sponge cures all ills.

I thought Sammon did OK. They play further up the pitch with him. He does seem to have an incredible ability to misjudge every single cross though. I can't believe Wigan didn't score. If Moses could either shoot or pass they'd be flying.

[tricky_colour]

A point against Liverpool is a good result for Wigan who seem to be be getting their act together
as McCarthy does the same. I'd expect them to be out of the bottom 3 before long.

[tommy_c12000]

Might as well give my two pence but I think Tets called it well earlier. I missed the Chelsea game so can't judge McCarthy on it, but watched tonight's game. McCarthy really impressed me, the best I have seen of him since the Blackburn game earlier on this year. The one thing that struck me was his work rate and athleticism. One example was in the second half when he outpaced Stuart Downing to hold up his run. I couldn't believe it. Anyways, I was really impressed with his overall performance and have renewed confidence that if he continues in this vein of form, he will be hard to ignore for a starting berth in Poland.

[Charlie Darwin]

I honestly didn't notice him for most of the game but Wigan were dominating in midfield and his work was allowing Diame to burst forward. I think he's now playing exactly the role Trap would like him to play. An Ireland team with McCarthy and Andrews in midfield with Shane Long supporting would be well worth a look.

[geysir]

I missed the first bit of the game where apparently Liverpool dominated. James and Diame controlled midfield, especially in the 2nd half.
I think he only crossed the ½ way line once, to rob Rodriguez on the edge of the box and lay the ball off, to set up Sammon.
A very tidy composed game.
He's pacey as well, he'd give Alan O'Brien a run for his money in a sprint.

[paul_oshea]

I thought he was very average. I gather he was told to sit deep but i know exactly what trap means by his game increasing 30%.he rarely looked for a pass should be far more aggressive and assertive.

[paul_oshea]

He also got caught in possession a few times and lost out to Henderson too and easily dispossessed by same player on a few occasions

[geysir]

You're not very good at this Paul, you forgot to mention his stray pass in the 2nd half :)

[drummerboy]

Only seen the highlights last night and he done ok. However he was good against Chelsea at the weekend.

[Dunners]

Paul - Is anyone good enough in your opinion

[tetsujin1979]

Overly harsh there Paul, for a 20 year old to play in midfield for one of the weaker sides in the Premier League against both Chelsea and Liverpool and not look out of place is something I've not seen in a long time

[Wolfie]

Overly harsh there Paul, for a 20 year old to play in midfield for one of the weaker sides in the Premier League against both Chelsea and Liverpool and not look out of place is something I've not seen in a long time

Indeed. Last player affiliated with the Irish team to do that was Roy Keane for Nottingham Forest.

[Closed Account]

Indeed. Last player affiliated with the Irish team to do that was Roy Keane for Nottingham Forest.
Na, it was Barry Quinn...:)

[brine3]

Obviously his performance wasn't perfect. There was the odd misplced pass and what not. But I'm not saying he's perfect.

He put in a solid performance and generally kept things tidy - and he's only 21. And it wasn't a "blood & guts" performance, he was tactically and positionally sound. This is what we need. He keeps this up and it's the bench for Glenn Whelan.

[geysir]

With the likes of Caldwell behind him, there is an intelligence deficit that James has to compensate for.

[irishfan86]

Interesting to see two comments in this thread that suggest Whelan and not Andrews would be dropped if McCarthy broke through. Thought it would be the other way around?

[Kingdom]

You're not very good at this Paul, you forgot to mention his stray pass in the 2nd half :)

Or the harrying

[Kingdom]

With the likes of Caldwell behind him, there is an intelligence deficit that James has to compensate for.

Totally agree. Always thought I was on my lonesome on that score!

[Jaysus]

Interesting to see two comments in this thread that suggest Whelan and not Andrews would be dropped if McCarthy broke through. Thought it would be the other way around?

I think Trap would be more likely to drop Whelan as Andrews has a physical + aerial presence and more likely to score a goal.

[geysir]

Or the harrying

Was his harrying not up to scratch? I thought James was quite good at his covering duties:)

If a Wigan defender around the box just as much as put their foot a millimeter off-course, when trying to win the ball back, the Liverpool players were unashamedly flinging themselves to the floor in agony.

[Charlie Darwin]

Playing against Man City at the moment. Was looking very comfortable on the ball and defensively until a stupid tackle by Alcaraz gave City a free kick from which they scored. He's been the standout player for Wigan so far - hasn't given the ball away once.

[geysir]

James had a very good game, was deprived a goal by a good piece of goalkeeping from Hart and got a decent elbow in on Barry's face.

Caldwell missed a sitter of an own goal.

[drummerboy]

Hope Trap was watching this game. McCarthy looked very accomplished at the anchor man in midfield in first half and really pushed on in second half.

[Scooby Doo]

Very impressed with McCarthy v ManCity. Tonight he seemed a level of class above most of his team mates. Very comfortable on the ball, put in one or two real confident, crunching tackles and was always in the right place when Wigan were under pressure. I'm not one for cheerleading players to be in Ireland squads on the basis of watching a single game (although I gather that he has been playing well for a few weeks now), but if he keeps up tonight's performance then he would be very disappointed not to be going to Poland. Fair play to him being stand out in such a bad team.

As an aside, the mind boggles at how Seán St. Ledger cannot get interest from the Premier League, yet Gary Caldwell plays there week in week out! :confused2:

[Sullivinho]

Hope Trap was watching this game. McCarthy looked very accomplished at the anchor man in midfield in first half and really pushed on in second half.

He keeps an eye on him alright. I reckon there'l be another 'bravo!' text coming James' way via Casa del Trap on that showing.

[Carrigaline]

but if he keeps up tonight's performance then he would be very disappointed not to be going to Poland.It's hard to judge his performance given the massive gap in quality between City and Wigan. What you can definitely identify tonight was his work rate; when people say he's a box-to-box midfielder, there is definitely no exaggeration in that. I was impressed with his tackling tonight, he definitely has no fear of getting stuck in or playing in a defensive role. Going forward, his game was less impressive. A few of his passes were wayward, but he was certainly less wasteful than his team mates.

It's too early to be talking about him moving to a club in the top 6 (Man U, Man C, Arse, Liver, Chel, Spurs), but I definitely think he is a Premier League player and should be at a better club than Wigan. Hopefully Wigan will get relegated in the Summer and McCarthy can get a move to a team like Aston Villa, Sunderland or Fulham.

[drummerboy]

People forget he is only 20/21 years old with lots more improvement in him.

[BonnieShels]

Not Fulham.

Now Sunderland. There's an idea.

[zero]

just gave away a bad penalty by needlessly handling the ball in the relegation battle at loftus road.

helguson scored. these thing happen i guess but this could be a big moment in both sides seasons.

[Charlie Darwin]

James will hoping Trap doesn't get hold of a DVD of today's game.

[tetsujin1979]

Got the assist on Caldwell's goal, a mi**** volley that fell to Caldwell in the area.
not playing a massive part in the game, but comfortable when he is possession

<EDIT>

That's mis-hit that's been censored!

[geysir]

McCarthy's effort on the volley was still goal bound when it was deflected towards Caldwell, who on noticing a pig was flying across the stadium, decided to exhibit a magnificent piece of skill to get the ball under control, get around a defender and slide it past the advancing goalie.
Hail Hail Caldwell

[tetsujin1979]

McCarthy's effort on the volley was still goal bound when it was deflected towards Caldwell, who on noticing a pig was flying across the stadium, decided to exhibit a magnificent piece of skill to get the ball under control, get around a defender and slide it past the advancing goalie.
Hail Hail Caldwell
wasn't a defender, it was Andy Carroll sliding in. Lovely piece of control from Caldwell to take it down, control it, and take it out of Carroll's slide in one movement!

[geysir]

Lets just say it was Andy Carroll defending.
That was one of the best performances by Wigan that I've seen this season and James was an integral part of it.

[SkStu]

Was also very impressed with Jimbob as well today. In fact, watching him play in what was mostly a holding role, had me questioning why he hasn't been given an extended chance by Trap in the team. I guess he just has his favorites.

Nice to see Sammon get a runout too.

Edit: lol @ Liverpool.

[DeLorean]

McCarthy looked outstanding against West Brom the previous weeks as well, going by the highlights. The BBC commentator also mentioned that he was having an excellent season that night. I haven't seen enough full Wigan matches to know really.

[Irish_Praha]

I haven't seen enough full Wigan matches to know really.

Did you not check out his stats?

[DeLorean]

Did you not check out his stats?

Haha :)

I suppose there is a big possibility that he is now playing his last few games for Wigan. Liverpool may have shot themselves in the foot in more ways than one should that result keep Wigan in the PL, that's if they are still interested in him. I presume the transfer fee would be a lot lower if they get relegated.

[geysir]

A big night for Wigan beating Man U. Cracking goal from Maloney, an excellent cameo from Sammon and a quiet enough game from McCarthy except for a few daring runs forward.

[liamoo11]

Thought he played keep ball really well against a utd midfield that were real poor. Was funny to see how bad cleverly was when he came on for second half. When u tink of the abuse gibson used to get then poor cleverly must be in the dog house on the utd forums tonight.

[geysir]

When one scapegoat departs, 'fans' will find another and then will claim you know nothing about football unless you agree that such and such a player is useless.

[KK77]

Thought he played keep ball really well against a utd midfield that were real poor. Was funny to see how bad cleverly was when he came on for second half. When u tink of the abuse gibson used to get then poor cleverly must be in the dog house on the utd forums tonight.

I think anyone having a go at Cleverly is being very harsh imo. He has hardly played this season due to injury and has been in and out since he has come back. I honestly don't think Man Utd fans would be having a go at him if he played poorly when he came on last night. I am sure they have seen enough already to know he is a good player who can develop into a very good player.

[Stuttgart88]

I tuned into TalkSport Radio for the last 5 mins commentary last night. The co-commentator (a Brummy, Collymore?) said that McCarthy had just played what was arguably the worst pass of the season. Facing United's goal, he turned around, ran back towards his own goal and played a ball straight to wellbeck which nearly put him in. If accurate, Trap won't have liked that!

[geysir]

Nah it wasn't arguably the worst pass of the season because no harm came from it, however it was potentially a contender for the most disastrous back pass of the season. Fortunately for James there was just enough weight on it and the goalie was alert to make up the ground and connect with it at the edge of the penalty area.
In that passage of play, Man U were desperate for possession, James had won the ball in the middle and got ambushed, he won it back again but was surrounded, he kept possession with a few tidy turns but in the end had to turn and face his goal and made the only pass he could.
Trap likes a lucky player, a player who deservedly gets a let off from his only mistake on the night :)

In the first half James was given more license to go forward and had a lovely strike from distance. In the 2nd half, he stayed firmly in the holding role, mainly closing down space and making short secure passes. Afair, the Wigan goalie only had to make one save, that's a credit to the discipline of the Wigan team in the face of non stop Man U pressure.