James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[SkStu]

Other than that he has been very good. Lots of good passes, short and long and was central to a lot of Wigans good play in the first half.

[SkStu]

At fault for their 4th too, very slack pass at the top of the Wigan box...

[Charlie Darwin]

Oh dear, gave the ball away on the edge of his own box for United's fourth. Cracking finish though. He's generally played OK but those are two awful errors. Roberto Martinez will be very disappointed with him and will convey it in a reasonable and understated manner.

[Grafter]

Is it an urban myth that Ronan Keating (self elected President of Ireland) actually contacted the McCarthy family (his Mum I think?) upon James declaring for us and congratulated him on behalf of us (the little people)?

[NeverFeltBetter]

Where in Gods name did you hear that?

[NeverFeltBetter]

http://www.bigsoccer.com/community/threads/news-ronan-keating-gives-wigan-kid-mccarthy-peptalk-ahead-of-ireland-debut.1350959/

Well how about that. Doesn't say anything about him saying things on behalf of the Irish nation though.

[paul_oshea]

hmmmm the cynic in me.....and im not on about ronan keating before ppl get lost.

[gastric]

Nice article about James' father and his motivation in playing well for us! Puts the issue of poppy wearing into context!

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/mccarthy-eyeing-greek-birthday-gift-3290909.html

[DannyInvincible]

Some interesting concluding paragraphs there.


Several players have turned down the opportunity to play for their country, whether it be due to retirement, or because of disagreements with the Italian, and reports continue to circulate about a breakdown in relationship between the 73-year-old and his players.

Which players have turned down the opportunity to play because of disagreements with Trap?

But that is then followed up by McCarthy coming out in clear support of Trap's methods and communication:


Trapattoni's apparent reluctance to draft in some of Ireland's rising stars has also caused consternation, but McCarthy remains fully behind the man at the helm. "I think he's the right man," McCarthy said. "He has achieved so much for Ireland. The result against Germany wasn't acceptable, but I think he will kick us on again.

"He will blend the kids in gradually. He won't just throw everyone in. He can't. That's not the right thing to do. His communication is fine. We all understand what we need to do and what we have to."

[geysir]

'Several players have turned down the opportunity to play for their country, whether it be due to retirement, or because of disagreements with the Italian, and reports continue to circulate about a breakdown in relationship between the 73-year-old and his players.'
Some interesting concluding paragraphs there.
Which players have turned down the opportunity to play because of disagreements with Trap?

Players have either retired or refused a call up.
Could be referring to just one player who turned down the opportunity to play because of disagreements with Trap, obvious one is Gibson.

[DannyInvincible]

Players have either retired or refused a call up.
Could be referring to just one player who turned down the opportunity to play because of disagreements with Trap, obvious one is Gibson.

Gibson specified disappointment over the Euros as his reasoning for declining selection, did he not? That did come via Trap, mind, so may have been slightly coloured. Did Gibson ever say he'd had a disagreement with Trap or are we drawing our own conclusions?

[Irwin3]

Gibson specified disappointment over the Euros as his reasoning for declining selection, did he not? That did come via Trap, mind, so may have been slightly coloured. Did Gibson ever say he'd had a disagreement with Trap or are we drawing our own conclusions?

Mostly rumours that came out during the euros about an argument that they had. If I recall, Trap was questioning his fitness levels and Gibson confronted Trap after the Spain game. There was also a newspaper article I believe, that had a Gibson 'source' describing the animosity between the pair in the euros.

[Charlie Darwin]

Gibson specified disappointment over the Euros as his reasoning for declining selection, did he not? That did come via Trap, mind, so may have been slightly coloured. Did Gibson ever say he'd had a disagreement with Trap or are we drawing our own conclusions?
I think reading between the lines it's fairly clear it's his personal disappointment at not being given a game. Foley used the disappointment line too for a while when it was clear he just won't play for Trap (and likely won't play for any future manager either).

[CraftyToePoke]

(and likely won't play for any future manager either).

What makes you say this CD? I had just assumed he had issues with the present set up.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think future managers will think very hard about whether to select an average player who has previously quit the national team.

[geysir]

It's pretty obvious that Gibson disagreed with Trap's team selection at the Euros.
Therefore one can say Gibson had a disagreement with Trap :)

McCarthy is coming out cleaner than the milky bar kid, these days.

[geysir]

Geysir my view differs with your view, does that mean we are in disagreement.

I think Trap when it suits him as defended himself in the media, without care for individual players or clubs or managers. I think he saves face where he feels the need to. I think he probably knew about Longs injury and keeping it quiet at club level. But too many questions lay at his feed around Long not being picked. He covered his arsch as they say in germany.
We are in agreement that you are out of sync and have posted in the wrong thread? :)

[Supreme feet]

Scores for Wigan against QPR.

[Sullivinho]

And another. Call him up!

[Yard of Pace]

On for a hat-trick now....

[SkStu]

His first was supposed to be a bit good.

[tricky_colour]

First time he has scored 2 in a game since Dec 1909.

[Fergie's Son]

First time he has scored 2 in a game since Dec 1909.

Was that back when he played for Young Boys?

Good game for McCarthy today.

[Charlie Darwin]

First time he has scored 2 in a game since Dec 1909.
That's poor form to be fair. Don't call him up, Trap.

[SkStu]

Against some minnows called Newton Heath.

[tricky_colour]

I think he has gone 69 games with out a goal and then scores 2 in the same game!!!
Bit like buses you wait forever and then 2 turn up at the same time.

[CraftyToePoke]

Bit like buses you wait forever and then 2 turn up at the same time.

Highly original and thought provoking contribution from yourself there tricky. Good man. Go again man ....

[Charlie Darwin]

Both his goals were very good: http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/wigan-2-qpr-2/

[Serb]

I think he has gone 69 games with out a goal and then scores 2 in the same game!!!
Bit like buses you wait forever and then 2 turn up at the same time.

I was out with my mate at the weekend. He hadn't scored in a while, but ended up pulling two girls in the same night. I said to him, "Just like buses". He said, "Yeah, you wait ages and then two come along at once". I said, "No, those women, they look like buses".

[The Fly]

Ba-Dum-Chh!

[Yard of Pace]

From the Guardian's 10 Talking Points. Considering midfield was our weakest point only a few months ago, to now have McCarthy and Gibson playing like they are....it's just great. :)McCarthy the midfield maestroRoberto Martinez rarely criticises his players but there were reasons why he was particularly effusive in his praise of James McCarthy on Saturday. The midfielder's two goals were his stand-out contributions (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/08/wigan-athletic-queen-park-rangers-premier-league) but his passing was typically excellent and he was the most composed player in an often frantic game. "I think technically it is difficult to find a better player," said Martinez. "You probably saw a more eye-catching display when he was on the ball and when he drove forward it was quite impressive. From a technical point of view he can play in any team in the world and he will do one day." Keeping hold of the Ireland international is a priority in January and, as an unworried Martinez said, even Cristiano Ronaldo had his price. Richard Jolly

[tricky_colour]

Highly original and thought provoking contribution from yourself there tricky. Good man. Go again man ....

Standards must be maintained ;)

[tricky_colour]

From the Guardian's 10 Talking Points. Considering midfield was our weakest point only a few months ago, to now have McCarthy and Gibson playing like they are....it's just great. :)McCarthy the midfield maestroRoberto Martinez rarely criticises his players but there were reasons why he was particularly effusive in his praise of James McCarthy on Saturday. The midfielder's two goals were his stand-out contributions (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/08/wigan-athletic-queen-park-rangers-premier-league) but his passing was typically excellent and he was the most composed player in an often frantic game. "I think technically it is difficult to find a better player," said Martinez. "You probably saw a more eye-catching display when he was on the ball and when he drove forward it was quite impressive. From a technical point of view he can play in any team in the world and he will do one day." Keeping hold of the Ireland international is a priority in January and, as an unworried Martinez said, even Cristiano Ronaldo had his price. Richard Jolly


As I said the key thing for me is the scarcity of his goals, I just looked at Glenn Whelan's record, and if I am correct he has scored just 1 in his last 126 games.
OK maybe scoring goals is not their job but I'd still expect a few more goals from them.
Keith Andrews did get 12 in total last season tough, that's a goal every 4 games. However all but 1 were in the Championship.

[Crosby87]

But that was a big one that Whelan scored Tricky!

PS Did anyone read about how the Serbian gov't says there is a vampire on the loose in one of their towns?
WTF?

[BonnieShels]

James McCarthy >>> Serbian vampire

Looks like scud missile isn't dead after all.

[Yard of Pace]

Martinez's comments in the paper today lifted my soul. He said he'll be challenging for titles one day, there's no two ways about it. Will be great to see an Irish player fulfill his full potential and hopefully when it happens we can again say we have one of the best midfielders in Europe in our side.

[paul_oshea]

I think he is good.
But i have not see anything to merit all the hype that he can be world class. Hopefully he will prove me wrong.

[geysir]

Where's all this hype?
Martinez (his manager) confidently predicts that McCarthy, one day will be good enough to get into an EPL team that is challenging for the title.

[DeLorean]

Martinez has been hyping him to the last for ages now. Gareth Barry and John Obi Mikel are in teams challenging for titles but I get the impression that Martinez has Mac on a much higher pedestal than that. I'm a big McCarthy fan but I think Paul has a point that those kind of comments might not be completely justified yet. Then again Martinez works with him every day so let's hope he's spot on!


He is a unique player, with unique character and I’m sure he’ll continue developing into a top, top player at world-class level

[KK77]

Haven’t see a lot of Wigan myself this season so can’t really comment but John Giles was saying recently that he saw him in a game on the tv and he had never seen a player pass the ball sideways and backwards but never forwards in his life.

[Roberto]

The problem with McCarthy is that he has one great game (he was awesome against QPR) and then follows it up with a few mediocre games. It will be interesting to see how he does at Norwich. It's the kind of game that his team needs him to dominate midfield (like he did last week). He is naturally a very quiet guy but needs to be more vocal during a game and demand the ball more. Giles did say he was concerned about that aspect of his game, too quiet and goes missing. I just hope last week wasn't a once off and is another sign of his progression. We should have a better idea tomorrow. I saw the QPR game and was highly impressed with his performance.

[paul_oshea]

Haven’t see a lot of Wigan myself this season so can’t really comment but John Giles was saying recently that he saw him in a game on the tv and he had never seen a player pass the ball sideways and backwards but never forwards in his life.

Hasn't he watched Glenn Whelan for the last 4 years in an Ireland shirt. The man is dithering.

[KK77]

Hasn't he watched Glenn Whelan for the last 4 years in an Ireland shirt. The man is dithering.

The discusion was about James McCarthy at the time as far as i can remember!

[geysir]

One of McCarthy's weaknesses is the occasional underweighted pass which has led to occasional mayhem. As Trap says, he does need some added assertiveness about himself.

I don't see any big deal about a player's manager hyping up one of his developing class players. So far, McCarthy has done well at Wigan & Martinez.

[SkStu]

I made a comment about him last year that I think remains true. He's a young lad and for a young lad to be so composed in midfield in the premiership and occasionally dominant points to a promising future at a top level. He's not a Roy Keane type midfielder - once in a lifetime - maybe a mix between Gerrard and Carrick in terms of style. Agree about the underhit passes. Obviously hope he continues to develop and delivers on the potential that's evident.

[gastric]

When I have watched him play of late, he has reminded me a bit of Gibson. He has played behind Jones and when not on the ball has looked disinterested and lazy (perception rather than fact). His distribution IMO is good and when I watch him I feel frustrated as he is possibly better going forward, like Gerrard, but the experience of playing this holding role should make him a better all round midfielder. He is still only 22 and in the next few years has the potential to be a superstar.

I have felt pessimistic about Irish football since the Euros and what has started to excite me is the prospect of Gibson and McCarthy playing in midfield. Both can play the holding position and offer lots going forward which means they can interchange easily in midfield and their distribution can only benefit the team.


Three players who quickly come to mind who might benefit from them in midfield are O'Shea, McGeady and Walters. O 'Shea to me always looks uncomfortable when hoofing the ball forward and his best games for Sunderland are when he is playing the ball on the ground to midfielders who he seems to have confidence in.

McGeady is best going forward and unfortunately he lives off scraps when playing for Ireland and plays a very defensive game which nullifies his real talents. McCarthy and Gibson offer better distribution and control of midfield which might let him go forward more.

Walters is seen as a target man for Ireland while means his ground play, which is good, is not utilised effectively. Gibson and McCarthy also offer more variety going forward and their passing game would bring him onto the game more.


If we need a catalyst to restart our WC Campaign these are the players to do it and Trap seems more accepting than ever of the need for change. We are at the stage now, where we are not talking about the potential of Gibson and McCarthy, they are the real thing and our best midfield duo.

[SolitudeRed]

Interestingly the last match he scored in he also scored two and that was back in Feb 2011 against Blackburn!

[Irish_Praha]

Off injured at half time and Wigan are playing better without him - might have been just the half-time pep talk mind you.

[geysir]

He had a low key performance in the first half.

[DannyInvincible]

Off injured at half time and Wigan are playing better without him - might have been just the half-time pep talk mind you.

Anything serious?