James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[paul_oshea]

Only saw highlights, but have spoken to some lads i'd normally trust on these matters, and said Mccarthy showed lots of energy, box to box, but good ball play also. Didnt see that myself but didnt see the whole game. UTD fans though so maybe they think when UTD get beaten then automatically the opposition play better than they really did...

If true, good to hear, but UTD were so poor in midfield, so perhaps, made look better than he really was.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm still pretty sure that a midfield made up of any 3 of McCarthy, Whelan, Andrews and Gibson, flanked by any of or good wide players would be a formidable unit. Only problem is who'd lead the line. One solution could be to deploy Walters or Long wide right with a license to move inside, using Duff on the left.

[geysir]

Man U were poor in the first half, Rooney was poor throughout and after he was replaced by Nani, Utd's attacking play went into overdrive.

When a full back (who almost never scores) knocks in an incredible goal from 35m out, we can say he was lucky, when a regular goalscorer does it, we can say it was an incredible goal.
When McCarthy has played to that level for the most part of this season for Wigan, we can say that his performance last night was due to his inherent ability and not the poor performance of the opposition.

McCarthy is capable of being a box to box player but he is not given that role for Wigan and definitely not last night. When he did get forward last night in the first half and Wigan lost possession, they were left badly exposed through the middle. James rarely left his post after Wigan went a goal up.
Atmosphere and some of game pattern, reminded me of Ireland v Holland 2001.

[paul_oshea]

from what I saw that's what I felt too.funny thing is I thought I read on bbc that Ferguson said leaving wellbeck up on his own too early was the wrong decision so thought he meant even for the possession they had they didnt do enough to win because he was isolated and no real clear cut chances.

[tricky_colour]

Only saw highlights, but have spoken to some lads i'd normally trust on these matters, and said Mccarthy showed lots of energy, box to box, but good ball play also. Didnt see that myself but didnt see the whole game. UTD fans though so maybe they think when UTD get beaten then automatically the opposition play better than they really did...

If true, good to hear, but UTD were so poor in midfield, so perhaps, made look better than he really was.


Didn't really see any of it, but maybe Man U were made to look play bad by Wigan?
Incidently when I saw the fixture I fancied having a bet on Wigan, the only thing that put me off was
the fact Wigan were not bottom of the table, bottom club beating top always seems to be a good bet.
Not sure what price I would have got on the win. Probably 7-1.
I note it is Wolves V Man City on the 22nd, you can get 9-1 on that. Should be 100-1!!

[DannyInvincible]

McCarthy played the full 90 minutes in Wigan's 2-1 victory over Arsenal at the Emirates tonight. Two excellent results for Wigan in recent days that might go a long way towards helping them maintain their Premier League status.

This was from the live BBC updates:


Wigan's James McCarthy has done more than anyone to break up Arsenal's rhythm tonight, covering so much ground in the Latics midfield.

[IsMiseSean]

I had a few doubts about the defensive side of his game but I thought he done very well tonight.

[geysir]

Yeah, James had a good game, had Rosicky by the balls. He put plenty of weight on the pass backs to the goalie this time.
Caldwell motm though, he was a rock out there. Sammon again came on late and was a constant thorn.

[Sullivinho]

Saw the result pop up there but didn't see the game. Was going to ask how McCarthy did. I've been underestimating this Wigan lot - had 'em down as relegation fodder these past two seasons.

[IsMiseSean]

Saw the result pop up there but didn't see the game. Was going to ask how McCarthy did. I've been underestimating this Wigan lot - had 'em down as relegation fodder these past two seasons.

Wigan have been superb in their last few games. Victories over Liverpool, MU & Arsenal and were robbed against Chelsea. That's title form :)

[tetsujin1979]

Very neat interception around the 70 minute mark to take the ball off Walcott and deny him a break from a Wigan corner. Sky Sports said he was full of running in the first half.
Wigan in good shape to stay up now, only a point behind Villa and five points clear of 18th

[tricky_colour]

Saw a bit of it, second half good team performance, at one point McCarthy played a pass which looked pretty dangerous to
me ie very close to being cut, however it was not cut out so maybe it just shows confidence.
Sammon played well when he came on, put himself about a bit. Great result for Wigan though.

[TrapAPony]

Disgusting to think that Trapattoni rates Green ahead of him

[Charlie Darwin]

Even at the start of the season, Wigan always looked too good for the drop. They play some great football but they lack the couple of outstanding players other teams have that turn losses into wins.

[Condex]

On the evidence of tonight, one the best players we have...

A player that can retain possession under pressure...
Gibson disappeared in the 2ns half against Liverpool..
McCarthy's a better player and don't mention Green who is absolute rubbish...

[geysir]

Even at the start of the season, Wigan always looked too good for the drop. They play some great football but they lack the couple of outstanding players other teams have that turn losses into wins.
Mid season they were playing cráp and at times worse than that. That game that had Dave Whelan in a frenzy was possibly one of the most insipid performances of the season by any EPL team. It was awful to to watch.
From the context of those depths, Martinez has done an amazing job to keep plugging away at the style of play he wants them to play.
There's no easy choices for Trap now, considering how well James is playing the type of game Trap wants him to play.

[tricky_colour]

Wigan are going to name a stand after Roberto Martinez, it's going to be called the Harry Houdini stand.

[tricky_colour]

McCarthy made the interception which lead to the goal, indeed he headed it clear first and then intercepted a second Arsenal
attack turning it into a Wigan break and goal.

[jbyrne]

Green who is absolute rubbish...

hasnt been rubbish for us at all. no world beater but put the same player in a premier lge jersey and people wouldnt give out about him half as much as they do.

green is actually far more mobile than whelan

[the bear]

green is actually far more mobile than whelan

doesn't mean he's not rubbish

[jbyrne]

doesn't mean he's not rubbish

no but his performances for us would suggest he's not

[Condex]

From todays English Independent
'James McCarthy as natural a 21-year old midfielder as any in the division..'

Not a plodder for Derby county..

[brine3]

The irony is that McCarthy is improved now that he's gone from an attacking midfielder into a holding midfielder. He's actually more of a Trappatoni-style player now than he was before... Yet he still gets ignored.

[the bear]

no but his performances for us would suggest he's not

green had a few stinkers for us which started the ball rolling on him getting dogs abuse.

he is not as bad as is let on, but is not particularily good either. personally i don't want whelan in the side at all. mccarthy has yet to be given a chance so i'm not going to herald him as a great international standard player, but i can't see any good reason why he's not been tried out yet. amazing that he's only 21, 5 full senior seasons behind him already.

[seanfhear]

The irony is that McCarthy is improved now that he's gone from an attacking midfielder into a holding midfielder. He's actually more of a Trappatoni-style player now than he was before... Yet he still gets ignored.In fairness he has'nt been in that roll for all that long and Wigan have only come good over the last couple of weeks.
I think he should be going to the euros and it will be interesting to see if Trap takes him.

[jbyrne]

Not a plodder for Derby county..

nail on the head as to why he's not rated by many


green had a few stinkers for us which started the ball rolling on him getting dogs abuse.


started well enough and scored in his debut. was reasonable then against armenia away, started really well against russia a month later but like the rest of the team that night wasnt great after.

as i said not a world beater but not the disaster many make him out to be either.

[dr_peepee]

The irony is that McCarthy is improved now that he's gone from an attacking midfielder into a holding midfielder. He's actually more of a Trappatoni-style player now than he was before... Yet he still gets ignored.

I seen Keith Andrews throw himself at balls against Russia over there, and my over riding thought was that in spite of the potential and arguable superior technique, I couldn't imagine McCarthy doing the same thing.

I haven't seen much of McCarthy since* to say whether he's improved or not, but it's that discipline, appetite and bite that Trapp seems to prefer in the middle.

(* I've seen F all football lately for one reason or another. Getting the Sports Packages back in for next season. Don't care what she says.)

[Stuttgart88]

Interesting that Wigan were good both with and without the ball last night. I liked how they soaked up pressure yet still committed bodies going forward.

I'd still like to see us put more pressure on the ball when not in possession, and break with more purpose and retain the ball better when we have it. I was impressed by McCarthy's composure last night but felt that the whole team was well drilled and more adventurous than we usually are.

It wasn't unlike the game in Liege in some respects.

That said, on another day they'd have been spanked by Arsenal.

[brine3]

In fairness he has'nt been in that roll for all that long and Wigan have only come good over the last couple of weeks.
I think he should be going to the euros and it will be interesting to see if Trap takes him.

I've seen McCarthy put in shifts for Wigan all season against decent teams.

[Stuttgart88]

A player that can retain possession under pressure...
Gibson disappeared in the 2ns half against Liverpool..I think both McCarthy and Gibson are good players. Gibson is particularly good at retaining possession under pressure. It's one of the things I like about him.

In fairness to Gibson, pretty much all of Everton disappeared on Saturday.

[Yard of Pace]

I seen Keith Andrews throw himself at balls against Russia over there, and my over riding thought was that in spite of the potential and arguable superior technique, I couldn't imagine McCarthy doing the same thing.

)

Could it be argued though that if we had a midfield capable of controlling the ball for a reasonable period then we wouldn't have to rely on players hurling their bodies at the ball in last-ditch blocks??

[tricky_colour]

about mid way through the first half (25 mins) McCarthy tried a slightly backwards cross field pass which was cut out and almost lead to
a goal. He was played into a tight spot though and being closed down. Bit careless.

[SkStu]

Could it be argued though that if we had a midfield capable of controlling the ball for a reasonable period then we wouldn't have to rely on players hurling their bodies at the ball in last-ditch blocks??

Could it also be argued that if we had a defense that didnt automatically pump long balls up to our strikers that the midfield might see more of the ball thus allowing them to control the ball for a reasonable period meaning we wouldn't have to rely on players hurling their bodies at the ball in last-ditch blocks??

;)

[Yard of Pace]

Could it also be argued that if we had a defense that didnt automatically pump long balls up to our strikers that the midfield might see more of the ball thus allowing them to control the ball for a reasonable period meaning we wouldn't have to rely on players hurling their bodies at the ball in last-ditch blocks??

;)

I would argue that that could be argued also.

[tricky_colour]

One of the problems with playing the ball of of defence is of course that when you lose the ball there is nobody left to make those
last ditch blocks!!

If the long ball game is good enough for Chelsea then surely it is good enough for us?

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/fabregas-chelsea-are-back-to-the-long-game-7654779.html
Chelsea are no Barcelona and I don't think we are either?

[tricky_colour]

Well what better way to test the theorem than in the Chelsea V Barcelona match coming up in a few minutes,
long ball V short ball who will win?


Book makers say Barca Chelsea (17/4) v (16/5) Barcelona (8/11)

I think a 1-1 draw.

[tricky_colour]

1-0 Chelsea and the long ball. ( A mistake from the Spanish Keane).
Still 45 mins to go so my 1-1 is still on.

[the bear]

Well what better way to test the theorem than in the Chelsea V Barcelona match coming up in a few minutes,
long ball V short ball who will win?


Book makers say Barca Chelsea (17/4) v (16/5) Barcelona (8/11)

I think a 1-1 draw.

so Trap was right all along

[tricky_colour]

so Trap was right all along

Well pretty much, however this is only the first leg and Barcelona are still favourites to win the Cup.
Chelsea were pretty lucky to win, could have been 1-3.

[Stuttgart88]

But that's the way it often is in these games.

Here's a virtual fact: the inferior team will always get at least one good chance to score. If it takes its chance(s) while the better team misses its chances the lesser team will win. Happens regularly. Switzerland v Spain at WC10, Eng v Spain at Wembley last year, Chelsea last night…

That's why I always hold some hope for Ireland no matter who we play.

[the bear]

That's why I always hold some hope for Ireland no matter who we play.

me too stutts, only 50 days to go

[paul_oshea]

But that's the way it often is in these games.

Here's a virtual fact: the inferior team will always get at least one good chance to score. If it takes its chance(s) while the better team misses its chances the lesser team will win. Happens regularly. Switzerland v Spain at WC10, Eng v Spain at Wembley last year, Chelsea last night…

That's why I always hold some hope for Ireland no matter who we play.

I actually thought watching chelsea last night was just like watching us, bar a few world class players, and a slightly younger team. They sat very deep. It was interesting to watch and wasn't boring though, unlike when we play, perhaps because Barcelona are truely brilliant in the last 2/3s.

Thats why as good Barca are they are not the complete team. World class midfielders and up front, but back is very suspect. Its a shame in a way.

[the bear]

can a team that commits so much to attacking ever be not suspect at the back? if they were to improve defensive shape, discipline etc. would it not take away from their attacking play? Barca do most of their defending in the opponents half by putting immense pressure on opposing players before they even get a chance to string a few passes together

[Stuttgart88]

I think you're both right.

Paul is right that Barcelona actually don't have any great strength in defence, especially in Pique's absence. It's mad that such a big club has so little central defensive cover.

In fairness to Chelsea, they also made it harder than teams usually do for Barcelona to disposses. This is one of Barcelona's key strengths - as Bear says, they cover up their defensive weaknesss by winning the ball back before teams get that far.

Very often the only way to get the better of teams like Barcelona is to capitalise on an error. That's what Chelsea did last night, and Wigan on Monday when Arteta pulled up after a weak corner. It's like winning turnover ball in rugby - it's unexpected so the team in previously possession isn't set up to resist an attack.

I'm fine with our lining up behind the ball, but in my opinion we don't put enough pressure on the man in possession though. It's those occasional "steals" that can be capitalised on.

In my opinion Wigan gave a better example of how Ireland should deploy Trap's preferred tactics. They were excellent without the ball, but quite aggressive with it.

[Stuttgart88]

My God, that was my 10,000th post!

[Charlie Darwin]

I think you're both right.

Paul is right that Barcelona actually don't have any great strength in defence, especially in Pique's absence. It's mad that such a big club has so little central defensive cover.
I think it's more a case that there are so few central defenders who can adapt to the club's style. Mascherano is a failed experiment in defence. The Ukrainian guy a couple of years ago couldn't adapt. I'd have my doubts about someone like Vidic playing there either.

[shakermaker1982]

I find it hilarious that a team full of supposed world class stars have to be so negative in their style of play. Barca still created plenty of excellent chances so all the pundits claiming it was a defenceless masterclass are exaggerating a tad.

The Trap wouldn't send us out that defensive against Spain........or would he?

[Charlie Darwin]

I think Chelsea are capable of playing a more positive game but the fact is that they are a defensive-minded side and that's where their best strengths lie. Arsenal have shown you can match Barcelona playing positive football, but Chelsea's strengths are maintaining a solid shape, soaking up pressure and hitting teams with devastating counter-attacks. That's exactly what Ramires (who is probably the best midfielder in England at this stage) did for Drogba's goal, and Drogba probably should have returned the favour to Kalou in the second half.

Not saying we could do the same against Spain, but can you imagine James McClean charging up the wing with 5 minutes to go and centering for Shane Long to score with a free header? I'd like to think it could happen. Either that or we score in the first five minutes and soak it up for the rest of the game.

[paul_oshea]

I dont think enough emphasis was put on ramires and most of all his pass to drogba, it was almost physically impossible given how far forward he was leaning - as you saw he fell over after passing in order to get the ball behind rather than in front of the defenders - and where he managed to pass the ball, behind the defenders was the perfect ball, as they were running towards goal, and then lost balance trying to get back onside and turned. It bought Drogba some extra time, as the covering defender had to compose himself and then try and get across to make a block which he couldn't do in time, and i believe had ramiers tried going in front of the defenders with the pass it would have been knocked out or the shot by drogba blocked by the covering defender and/or goalkeeper.

Chelseas key here was how deep they sat, you might have noticed midway through the first half barcelona sprayed the ball around the final third for about 5 minutes, getting nowhere, they realised they needed to pull chelsea out so they started passing back around the centre circle, chelsea mistakenly lost their shape slightly by moving forward and a ball was played over the top, nearly resulting in a goal. This only happened about twice in the game as generally the line was very robust and deep.

In the overall context, barcelona will not miss those many chances in the nou camp, and thats why 2 legs unlike us in the euros the opposing team dont get a chance to right the wrong, ensuring generally over 2 legs the best team goes through, chelsea have to score over there to go through.

[Stuttgart88]

Arsenal have shown you can match Barcelona playing positive football.R5 Live were previewing the game last night saying that arsenal deservedly beat barcelona at the Emirates last season.

I'm an Arsenal fan and can't agree at all. Barcelona were already 1 up and had missed clear cut chances when they had a goal ruled out by an incorrect offside call. Arsenal then scored from both of their only two chances.

They were torn apart at the Nou camp, only scoring from a weird OG from a corner. Yet, right at the death Bendtner missed a great chance to seal the tie. Mad game, football!

I think Trap will use Liege vs. Italy as our template, maybe being a bit more on the front foot versus Croatia.