James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[Crosby87]

Where would the team play in LA though Bon Bon? Dont say the Coliseum. That's not happening. At least the London crowd got an entertaining game, which certainly cemented the Falcons coach getting whacked any day now.

[BonnieShels]

Where would the team play in LA though Bon Bon? Dont say the Coliseum. That's not happening. At least the London crowd got an entertaining game, which certainly cemented the Falcons coach getting whacked any day now.

I have no idea my dear Crosby. It still doesn't stop LA being the priority for the NFL. London is a nice distraction but there is no way that it will get off the ground.
Stick them in Dodgers or Angel Stadium while they work that out.

And yes it's probably time for Smitty to get gone at this stage. Yesterday was almost Stephen Kenny-esque.

[mark12345]

I find it hard to believe that Irish people can just pick it up, follow it and understand it properly enough to get the most of it in their twenties or thirties. It's convoluted as f.


Not convoluted at all. You get four opportunities to advance the ball ten yards (markings are even on the field to show yard by yard). If a team doesn't convert (advance the ball) in first three attempts they will generally punt the ball away. There are one or two flags more than fans would like this season, but all in all one of the most exciting games in sports (soccer and rugby included). Just came back from an NFL game a few hours ago - fantastic.

On another note, for those of us who criticise Premier League referees, they should note that NFL referees have the chance to see things in replay and still get the call wrong.

[BonnieShels]

And when they are they don't ref again!

HQ in NYC are in contact with them for any replayed or contentious decisions.

---

So James McCarthy?

[DannyInvincible]

I see Barry was stretchered off. Baffling. Wasn't that supposed to be James? Martinez trying to lead us off the scent again clearly, but we're on to him. He's obviously agreed with James that he'll pick up his injury-to-keep-him-out-of-Glasgow in the second half...

[Littlest Hobo]

Some of the lads on the Scotland boards are really funny, I have to say.

Aye, and some are in for a big shock on Friday, when they see how useful we are. I've read lots of ridiculous posts saying they'll bag 3 easy points.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Uh oh...

[harry crumb]

Uh oh...

Looks like a pulled hamstring.

[BonnieShels]

He conceded a corner after that so it mustn't have been too bad... Please God not.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29868801

[Philly]

He cleared the ball off the line too afterwards, and looked mobile enough. Think it's nothing to worry about. Fingers crossed!

Edit:

Everton tweeted that he has picked up a hamstring injury, quoted Martinex saying "It is a concern, he needs assessing and hopefully it is just fatigue."

Sigh. He was their stand-out player today. Put him in bubble wrap for the rest of the week please.

[elroy]

Martinez will no doubt all in his power to ensure james is not available

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Let's face it. If it was an Everton game on Friday he would probably be available but we're going to have to plan without him on Friday. It was a formality that Martinez would start this carry on anyway.

Let the FAI decide if he can play.

[Philly]

Is there really a conspiracy with Martinez or is it a running joke on here? Does he have a record of holding back players from international duty? Bit confused!

[DeLorean]

It's a running joke amongst the sane, less so amongst the insane.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Oh. I must have been imagining Mark Hughes giving Glenn Whelan permission to link up with the Ireland squad despite not having trained with his club since his injury, Coleman & McCarthy starting days after they missed the Germany game having not been sent for assessment by the FAI and Martinez taking a, frankly, bizarre stance during the time period when McCarthy "was considering his Intl. future". To these eyes and ears it looked more like Martinez was asking him to consider it. Compare Mark Hughes actions with Martinez's.

Maybe I am insane or paranoid but give people enough ammunition and all that.

[BonnieShels]

It's been a running joke since long before your time TOWKy boy. Check out the Jimmy Mac thread from before he finally mad his début for us. Madness.

Admittedly there's enough ammunition to show there's enough basis for your concern. And to be honest since the maddening stance back in the day about James I have never warmed to Martinez despite all the good he did with Wigan and subsequently Everton. That I have a huge soft spot for Everton has somewhat alleviated any full-blown resentment towards him.

[DeLorean]

Coleman & McCarthy starting days after they missed the Germany game having not been sent for assessment by the FAI

But why conveniently ignore the fact that McCarthy and Coleman did miss Everton's two games which preceded our internationals, one of which was at Old Trafford? There were clearly injuries there. Martinez is employed by Everton, obviously he's going to advise or insist that they don't play if it could cause further damage. And to be honest, if McCarthy, Coleman or whoever aren't men enough to insist on playing, if fit, then you'd have to question their commitment full stop, which I don't for one second.

[geysir]

Martinez has a Scottish wife..... or is it a Scot wife? a wife who is a Scot?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

McCarthy missed that game primarily because of fatigue (fatigued quad). Coleman's injury was minor. There is no reason why they shouldn't have been at least assessed by the FAI medical team. I don't think there was enough honesty on Martinez side as to the extent of their injuries. I believe MON has hinted at this.

[DeLorean]

It's up to the FAI, I presume, to insist on getting them checked. How is it Martinez's fault if they don't? Listen TOWK, you're making a lot of assumptions. The injuries may have been minor, but there may also have been a chance of aggravating the injuries. You're only speculating, guessing and assuming but basing it on very little. The injuries can't have been that minor if Martinez wasn't willing to risk two of his most important players for a crucial game at OT.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

There is no speculation about the injuries being minor. They were. Did McCarthy technically even have an injury? They could have been aggravated but they were not serious enough to definitively rule them out of the Germany game so they should have been sent for assessment. That's partly the fault of the FAI's but you can be forgiven for thinking that Martinez wanted to use the International break to extend their rest period. And rotation is used by top EL teams - Liverpool just rested half their first team against Madrid. Maybe Martinez, again, just used the International break for Everton's benefit but the players have a duty to play for their country if they are able. Maybe maybe maybe. What do you think of MON's comments? Presumably he would have a better idea on Everton's transparency than we do.

[back of the net]

It's up to the FAI, I presume, to insist on getting them checked. How is it Martinez's fault if they don't? Listen TOWK, you're making a lot of assumptions. The injuries may have been minor, but there may also have been a chance of aggravating the injuries. You're only speculating, guessing and assuming but basing it on very little. The injuries can't have been that minor if Martinez wasn't willing to risk two of his most important players for a crucial game at OT.



Im hearing Martinez himself hopes to Line out against us for Scotland!!!!


Some serious amount of nonsense about Martinez been posted on here

[DeLorean]

What do you think of MON's comments? Presumably he would have a better idea on Everton's transparency than we do.

I thought MON sounded slightly suspicious but willing to give the benefit of the doubt. What do you think of Coleman and McCarthy missing important games for Everton before the internationals? You can't honestly put it down to squad rotation when they've been ever present otherwise.

[tetsujin1979]

There is no speculation about the injuries being minor. They were. Did McCarthy technically even have an injury? They could have been aggravated but they were not serious enough to definitively rule them out of the Germany game so they should have been sent for assessment. That's partly the fault of the FAI's but you can be forgiven for thinking that Martinez wanted to use the International break to extend their rest period. And rotation is used by top EL teams - Liverpool just rested half their first team against Madrid. Maybe Martinez, again, just used the International break for Everton's benefit but the players have a duty to play for their country if they are able. Maybe maybe maybe. What do you think of MON's comments? Presumably he would have a better idea on Everton's transparency than we do.What does that even mean? Either he's injured (which he was) or he isn't, what would qualify an injury, or lack thereof, as a "technical" injury?

[Closed Account]

Im hearing Martinez himself hopes to Line out against us for Scotland!!!!


Some serious amount of nonsense about Martinez been posted on here
In fairness, most of the Martinez stuff is tongue in cheek. Obviously if anyone was at fault(which is debatable) it would have been up to our Manager to Manage the situation. Club managers influence can be largely circumvented.

[BonnieShels]

What does that even mean? Either he's injured (which he was) or he isn't, what would qualify an injury, or lack thereof, as a "technical" injury?


Seemingly anything that doesn't back up TOWK's world view.

[DannyInvincible]

Uh oh...

I hope I didn't jinx it! :p


Let's face it. If it was an Everton game on Friday he would probably be available but we're going to have to plan without him on Friday. It was a formality that Martinez would start this carry on anyway.

Let the FAI decide if he can play.

But nobody's stopping the FAI from deciding. The FAI are fully entitled to call James over for examination if there is an injury concern there. Why are you trying to foist responsibility for this onto Martinez? If he's bull****ting, the FAI doctor will call him up on it. Ergo, I don't think he's bull****ting because I don't think it would be worth his while to do so.


Coleman & McCarthy starting days after they missed the Germany game having not been sent for assessment by the FAI

They both missed games for Everton due to the problems. And it's the fault of the FAI if the association didn't enforce their right to call them over.


...Martinez taking a, frankly, bizarre stance during the time period when McCarthy "was considering his Intl. future". To these eyes and ears it looked more like Martinez was asking him to consider it.

What was the "bizarre stance" exactly and what gave you the impression that Martinez was trying to place pressure upon James? Did he express a stance at all? If indeed he was trying to pressure James (and I don't think he was), for someone who bears such influence over the lad, it clearly didn't work.


Maybe I am insane or paranoid but give people enough ammunition and all that.

But it's still paranoia.


There is no speculation about the injuries being minor. They were. Did McCarthy technically even have an injury? They could have been aggravated but they were not serious enough to definitively rule them out of the Germany game so they should have been sent for assessment.

It's not up to Everton to send them. It's up to the FAI to call them over. There were clearly problems there. They missed crucial games due to the injuries/fatigue. How can you dismiss the veracity of the claims so nonchalantly when Martinez kept them out of his own squads? Grand deception, was it?...


That's partly the fault of the FAI's but you can be forgiven for thinking that Martinez wanted to use the International break to extend their rest period.

I'm sure he would, but so what? That's his job. He's a football manager and his professional duty is to protect the interests of the football team he is managing and the interests of that team only. If those interests happen to clash with the interests of the FAI, it's up to the FAI to stand their ground. Martinez's wishes are irrelevant really. I don't know why you're making such an issue about him.

[DannyInvincible]

What does that even mean? Either he's injured (which he was) or he isn't, what would qualify an injury, or lack thereof, as a "technical" injury?

Don't you know, it's like how Kevin Grealish made his son available for our US friendly, but not technically...

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Don't you know, it's like how Kevin Grealish made his son available for our US friendly, but not technically...

Give it a rest.

[DannyInvincible]

Give it a rest.

Give the same old sophistry a rest.

[BonnieShels]

Danny never rests.

Just like crime.

He never pays either.

Just like crime.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Give the same old sophistry a rest.

"any mention of him on any other thread, other than "played/scored/booked/sent off for Villa" and you can have some time off to think about what you've done"

I responded by PM.

[DeLorean]

How about you respond to the questions or points that were put to you regarding Martinez and McCarthy/Coleman? And when I say 'respond', I mean to the specific points or questions that were actually put to you, not just another repetitive rant that doesn't actually deal with what you've been asked. You may have covered Danny in that PM, but myself and Tets have unanswered questions, to name two.

[Stuttgart88]

It's up to the FAI, I presume, to insist on getting them checked. How is it Martinez's fault if they don't? Listen TOWK, you're making a lot of assumptions. The injuries may have been minor, but there may also have been a chance of aggravating the injuries. You're only speculating, guessing and assuming but basing it on very little. The injuries can't have been that minor if Martinez wasn't willing to risk two of his most important players for a crucial game at OT.Just to put things things in perspective, I have a minor running injury. I know I couldn't race tomorrow. I'd bet my life I could race on Wednesday. The margin between being fit and not fit is often marginal. That said I think Martinez was doing his best to persuade the players and FAI not to play last month. O'Neill clearly has some doubt and I'm sure will insist on a FAI assessment this time around.

[DannyInvincible]

How about you respond to the questions or points that were put to you regarding Martinez and McCarthy/Coleman? And when I say 'respond', I mean to the specific points or questions that were actually put to you, not just another repetitive rant that doesn't actually deal with what you've been asked. You may have covered Danny in that PM, but myself and Tets have unanswered questions, to name two.

No such luck. Just in case you were under the impression he might not be habitually dodging the points raised in this thread entirely, the PMs have got nothing to do with McCarthy/Coleman/Martinez. We were discussing solely the availability of the other unmentionable.

[geysir]

Sex, drugs or Gibson?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I hope I didn't jinx it! :p



But nobody's stopping the FAI from deciding. The FAI are fully entitled to call James over for examination if there is an injury concern there. Why are you trying to foist responsibility for this onto Martinez? If he's bull****ting, the FAI doctor will call him up on it. Ergo, I don't think he's bull****ting because I don't think it would be worth his while to do so.



They both missed games for Everton due to the problems. And it's the fault of the FAI if the association didn't enforce their right to call them over.



What was the "bizarre stance" exactly and what gave you the impression that Martinez was trying to place pressure upon James? Did he express a stance at all? If indeed he was trying to pressure James (and I don't think he was), for someone who bears such influence over the lad, it clearly didn't work.



But it's still paranoia.



It's not up to Everton to send them. It's up to the FAI to call them over. There were clearly problems there. They missed crucial games due to the injuries/fatigue. How can you dismiss the veracity of the claims so nonchalantly when Martinez kept them out of his own squads? Grand deception, was it?...



I'm sure he would, but so what? That's his job. He's a football manager and his professional duty is to protect the interests of the football team he is managing and the interests of that team only. If those interests happen to clash with the interests of the FAI, it's up to the FAI to stand their ground. Martinez's wishes are irrelevant really. I don't know why you're making such an issue about him.

The FAI took Martinez on his word in October. O'Neill has strongly hinted that he believes McCarthy & Coleman could have been available for the Germany game which subsequent events attested to. O'Neill has said he will demand the players be assessed by FAI doctors next time.

Yes. I know the FAI share culpability but that still wouldn't excuse Martinez exaggerating the seriousness of injuries. I never said they didn't miss the Man Utd game for no reason - that's just you twisting what I say again and putting words in my mouth. I said they could/should have recovered sufficiently for Germany game and/or allowed the FAI to make a decision on their availability.

At the time I remember Martinez encouraging a committed player to delay stamping his allegiance to Ireland. Some of his actions were very unhelpful at a delicate time during which we already had Trapattoni making incendiary statements and insinuations about the player.

Your opinion.

I already posited that Martinez rested them for the Man Utd game because it was on the eve of an Intl. break and with them not linking up with the Ireland squad, they could get an extended rest. E.G. Liverpool rested half their first team for a crucial away game with Real Madrid. It's not unheard of for big teams contending with thin squads and growing injury lists to rotate players occasionally. It's an opinion.

Already commented on that above but the FAI's diplomacy/incompetence doesn't excuse Martinez behavior and merely serve to add flames to the fire when he already has history with the FAI.

@ DeLorean Don't know why you are bringing up Tets. It's not me bringing up something that has been explicitly prohibited. To try and get a reaction? Didn't work.

@ Danny I tried PM'ing you to maintain a little bit of decorum and diplomacy about things but you obviously can't contain yourself when it comes to making unnecessarily patronising, condescending and insulting comments about my opinions and posts.

As is your right.

[Stuttgart88]

Anyway, Everton assessing him tomorrow, Martinez hopeful it's fatigue rather than a tear of some kind. Just like he said last month!

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/marc-wilson-and-james-mccarthy-in-doubt-for-ireland-s-trip-to-play-scotland-1.1994055

[BonnieShels]

Anyway, Everton assessing him tomorrow, Martinez hopeful it's fatigue rather than a tear of some kind. Just like he said last month!

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/marc-wilson-and-james-mccarthy-in-doubt-for-ireland-s-trip-to-play-scotland-1.1994055

It says the following:


[O]’Neill is set to name his final squad later this evening from the 36-strong provisional list named for the Scotland game and the friendly internationals against the USA.

I'm assuming that means tomorrow evening an that article is for the Monday paper.

[Stuttgart88]

What's the betting on McCarthy? I say in, though with little conviction!

[BonnieShels]

I'm with you on this one. Definitely in. McCarthy and McGeady to combine to score the winner

[geysir]

The sheer magnitude of his desire to play in this game will sort out any petty fitness issues.

[Closed Account]

I'm with you on this one. Definitely in. McCarthy and McGeady to combine to score the winner
As long as tricky doesn't put 10p on it then it's a good bet.

[BonnieShels]

That's defo a 50p bet in anyone's language.

[geysir]

If Tricky was having that bet, it would be 50p e/w, followed by hours of anguish about how he could spread the risk.

[DeLorean]

@ DeLorean Don't know why you are bringing up Tets. It's not me bringing up something that has been explicitly prohibited. To try and get a reaction? Didn't work.

Seriously? I think it was pretty obvious I mentioned Tets (and Danny) because, like me, they had questions that you chose to let hang there. Of all your traits, I find it the most annoying. I see you've gone on to deal with the most of them though in your more recent post.

Okay, so you accept that Coleman and McCarthy were injured very close to the time that our internationals were on, but you assume to know that they were fit in time for the German game? How could you possibly know this? It's pure guess work. Martinez is going to do what he feels is best for Everton, that's not a stick to beat him with. If you're right, and the two lads were fit and fully able to play, then I'd be far more disappointed in Coleman and McCarthy than I would be annoyed with Martinez.

[back of the net]

If you're right, and the two lads were fit and fully able to play, then I'd be far more disappointed in Coleman and McCarthy than I would be annoyed with Martinez.

Couldnt have said it better myself

[Stuttgart88]

True, but it still doesn't stop me thinking Martinez is playing silly buggers though. I worked for a company in North Carolina once. Before I joined my NYC mate warned me of "southern grin fcukers". I had never heard the term, meaning someone who is all smiley and nice but a Macchiavellian cnut behind your back. All the hysteria earlier in this thread makes me think of Martinez in that light. My instinct is to like him, but I can't be sure.

I'd hire him to be my club manager any day of the week though.

[DannyInvincible]

The FAI took Martinez on his word in October. O'Neill has strongly hinted that he believes McCarthy & Coleman could have been available for the Germany game which subsequent events attested to.

If you (or O'Neill) think Martinez is a suspect character or that he wasn't being completely honest on that occasion, more fool the FAI for taking him on his word when they have the power to call players over for medical assessment. Did O'Neill "strongly hint" that be believed that? Didn't he say he'd spoken with Coleman who told him he wasn't fit, and O'Neill was satisfied with that? And subsequent events do not attest to the claim that they could have been available at all. What subsequent events are you referring to?


Yes. I know the FAI share culpability but that still wouldn't excuse Martinez exaggerating the seriousness of injuries.

Who cares about Martinez? He's irrelevant insofar as the FAI have rights to bypass him here.


I never said they didn't miss the Man Utd game for no reason - that's just you twisting what I say again and putting words in my mouth. I said they could/should have recovered sufficiently for Germany game and/or allowed the FAI to make a decision on their availability.

How would you know if they could or should have recovered sufficiently? Are you a doctor? Did you examine them?

Nobody was disallowing the FAI to make a decision on their availability, so I don't know why you keep trying to give the impression that the FAI were wronged here or something. If the FAI didn't make a decision, it's because of their own failings; not because Martinez put hurdles in their way.


At the time I remember Martinez encouraging a committed player to delay stamping his allegiance to Ireland. Some of his actions were very unhelpful at a delicate time during which we already had Trapattoni making incendiary statements and insinuations about the player.

I want specifics. What did he say and what actions? If he was trying to sideline or postpone the "international allegiance issue", it was most likely because he saw it as a silly distraction to McCarthy's club football generally; not because he had some problem with McCarthy committing to Ireland specifically. You seem to think Martinez owes us something or has some duty to be helpful to us at all times. He has his own business to take care of. So long as the FAI (and our players) stick up for our interests, that's all we can ask.


I already posited that Martinez rested them for the Man Utd game because it was on the eve of an Intl. break and with them not linking up with the Ireland squad, they could get an extended rest. E.G. Liverpool rested half their first team for a crucial away game with Real Madrid. It's not unheard of for big teams contending with thin squads and growing injury lists to rotate players occasionally. It's an opinion.

But it just doesn't seem plausible. Martinez took six points off United last season. There's no reason why he wouldn't have seen that game as very much winnable with his best team out, so resting McCarthy and Coleman if they were indeed match fit just wouldn't make sense. They failed pre-match fitness tests anyway - or Coleman did, at least - so they weren't even in the squad. If they were fit and he was simply resting them, he'd most likely have had them on the bench as potential options just in case they were ever needed, would you not think? Brendan Rodgers rested half his team away to Real for conservation reasons as he knew he hadn't a hope in hell of winning the game anyway.


Already commented on that above but the FAI's diplomacy/incompetence doesn't excuse Martinez behavior and merely serve to add flames to the fire when he already has history with the FAI.

He's irrelevant. He's fully entitled to do his own job and protect his own interests. He doesn't owe us good behaviour.


@ Danny I tried PM'ing you to maintain a little bit of decorum and diplomacy about things but you obviously can't contain yourself when it comes to making unnecessarily patronising, condescending and insulting comments about my opinions and posts.

As is your right.

Well, give over about it and stop moaning about being victimised and other such nonsense.

Honest to God, like... Decorum and diplomacy? It's not as if we were discussing anything remotely "private" or in need of containment for such reasons; just a finer detail of a matter we've discussed to death already in the public arena to tets' nuisance. Anyway, you're one to talk given the trying, undignified, insincere and downright frustrating manner through which you've consistently conducted yourself on here. You've tested my patience, TOWK, and I have a low tolerance for your fallacies. I want to offer an olive branch of good will - I really do - and I keep questioning whether I'm being a bit hard on you because you keep complaining so loudly about it (and I have to ask myself why I'm allowing myself to get so wound up at times in the first place), but I'm really not convinced yet that you're interested in discussing matters in good faith. I should stop trying to convince myself of your ability to change. If you stopped being so disingenuous, I'd have very little to resent, or "patronise", as you think I'm doing.

[Stuttgart88]

I think it'd be quite nice to beat Scotland without McCarthy.