James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[CraftyToePoke]

Any update on this? I really hope its nothing
Didn't hear any more about it yet.
It will be a first and a very welcome one if that man leaving the field injured turns out to be nothing.

[DeLorean]

Yeah, assume there must have been a scan today but can't find anything. Hopefully no news is good news.

[geysir]

Hopefully it's just a new injury which will heal and not an old injury reawakwning.

[irishfan86]

The fact that James has travelled to Dublin and will be assessed is really positive. If it was something that would put him in serious doubt for next month, you’d think he wouldn’t have bothered travelling.

My one hope is that Kenny/James don’t needlessly push for his involvement this week as a test for next month if there’s any doubt about his fitness.

[Olé Olé]

https://londonnewsonline.co.uk/crystal-palace-boss-gives-verdict-on-first-outing-for-eberechi-eze-and-why-he-came-off-against-charlton-athletic/

It's a really bad bruise that James has picked up. I'm not a doctor but I could think of a more debilitating injury. Train away til Thursday non contact and you for the second game?

[Bielsa´s irish]

he is our best player by a mile. Kenny is correct

[Colbert Report]

Midfielder James McCarthy missed the game against the Addicks due to a calf injury that he suffered in Palace’s previous friendly against Oxford United.

The former Everton man will report for duty with the Republic of Ireland where his fitness will be assessed, but Hodgson does not think the 29-year-old will play for his country.

“It was a nasty bang that he took on the outside of his calf. He hadn’t really recovered for today’s game. He has to go and report to Ireland because they want to have a look at him as well,” the 73-year-old said.

“I’m not certain he’ll be fit even to play for them. He’ll need more time because it was such a bad bruise, such a bad haematoma, that he got on his calf that he’ll be out for a little more time. We won’t know until next week until he’s reported to Ireland and the two doctors have spoken.”

[seanfhear]

Do the Scots have a Voodoo Doll of James McCarthy ? ?

[youngirish]

Do the Scots have a Voodoo Doll of James McCarthy ? ?

I've always though McCarthy has been overrated by Irish fans. He's been anonymous at best for Ireland for the majority of his appearances from my recollection and has never lit up any of the Premiership teams he has played for. To sum up a very average player.

I'd rather see Molumby get a game instead to see if he can provide something better. If McCarthy's spot is taken by Hendrick, Arter, Hourihane or Browne I'd be surprised if they performed significantly poorer. They are all much of a muchness with the exception that Hendrick does on occasion seem to have another level to his game that the others don't (but seldom shows it) and Browne is still reasonably young and could get better.

[Diggs246]

By far our best midfielder. When he plays we dont lose and we tend to win
"tets" do u have stats available on james and our win ratio?

[youngirish]

By far our best midfielder. When he plays we dont lose and we tend to win
"tets" do u have stats available on james and our win ratio?

We've been beaten 11 times in his 41 appearances. Often very heavily. We tend to lose with him playing just as much if not more than we tend to lose without him playing.

https://www.transfermarkt.com/james-mccarthy/nationalmannschaft/spieler/45333

[Diggs246]

And not beaten the other 30 times
Look at your link and our big wins. Bosnia, Italy, Germany
guess who is running our midfield in those game..its not Alan Browne or whelo

[tetsujin1979]

By far our best midfielder. When he plays we dont lose and we tend to win
"tets" do u have stats available on james and our win ratio?
Been away for a few days with limited internet. Finally getting around to this
Result record for James McCarthy's caps below, along with some other midfielders from the same period for comparison.



Player Caps Wins Draws Losses
Glenn Whelan 91 34(37.3%) 40(43.9%) 17(18.6%)
Jeff Hendrick 54 20(37.0%) 21(38.8%) 13(24.0%)
James McCarthy 41 17(41.4%) 12(29.2%) 12(29.2%)
Keith Andrews 35 14(40.0%) 11(31.4%) 10(28.5%)
David Meyler 26 12(46.1%) 4(15.3%) 10(38.4%)
Paul Green 22 7(31.8%) 10(45.4%) 5(22.7%)
Conor Hourihane 17 5(29.4%) 7(41.1%) 5(29.4%)
Harry Arter 16 7(43.7%) 6(37.5%) 3(18.7%)
Alan Browne 9 2(22.2%) 3(33.3%) 4(44.4%)
Eunan O'Kane 7 2(28.5%) 2(28.5%) 3(42.8%)

[irishfan86]

Those are fairly compelling stats for anyone arguing he’s much of a muchness, thanks Tets.

For anyone who knows the game it’s clear he’s a cut above our other options. If he wasn’t plagued by injuries I believe he’d be playing for a Champions League level club.

He will be an important player for us during the Kenny era, assuming he can stay fit.

[Olé Olé]

It does show he's lost the most, as well as having won the most games. So he's definitely not much of a muchness!

I think there are too many variables to make the comparison. The variables include the manager, the opposition, the time in their career and there's also the fact that Hendrick rarely plays where Whelan or McCarthy might. And McCarthy has not always played where Whelan might. And Whelan never played where Hendrick might.

[tetsujin1979]

The biggest takeaway there is that we're less likely to lose a game where Glenn Whelan plays

[DeLorean]

The biggest takeaway there is that we're less likely to lose a game where Glenn Whelan plays

Or less likely to win a game. Can dress the stats up any which way really. For me it's obvious that McCarthy is the best midfielder we have. He's generally left us wanting a bit more in an Irish shirt though, but then he's been the one who's generally had to compromise his best position when Whelan has been available, which was most of the time.

He's excelled in a few big games where Whelan was injured or dropped, Sweden (alongside the much maligned Paul Green), Germany and Italy come to mind straight away. I agree with Irishfan that calling him much of a muchness compared to our other options is a bit baffling, the likes of Cullen has done zero yet by comparison, and he's clearly more suited to the holding role than Browne, Hendrick, Hourihane, etc.

[Diggs246]

I think if it was still 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw. That would be v interesting in relation to whelos contribution to success. But it's not. Its 3 points and the win is now better than 2 draws. Does that make sense!!

[pineapple stu]

If Whelan was playing alongside better players (like Duff, Keane, Given, Dunne, etc), then he's going to have a better win rate.

You can't credit Whelan with that.

[youngirish]

That alone says nothing. The quality of the opposition and the margin of defeat and/or victory need to be taken into account and McCarthy has been in midfield for all of our heaviest defeats over the last few years with the exception of Denmark. 6-1 at home to Germany, 3-0 away to Germany and 3-0 to Belgium in the Euros where he was particularly atrocious. In all games we were overrun in midfield.

Look at the Crystal Palace forums this year. Most fans were happy to sell him for 6 or 7 million when it was rumoured that Leeds were interested in him and let's be honest Crystal Palace are no world beaters. 7 million for a top quality Premiership midfielder. Really? That represented a loss for the fee they paid for him a year ago btw. The level of delusion on here regarding obviously very limited players never ceases to amaze me.

At least Hendrick offers a goal threat on occasion. With the likes of McCarthy in the team Ireland will always struggle against opposition with a decent midfield.

A separate question is should he be in the team at the moment and I would say he offers less than Hendrick, likely less than Molumby (we can confirm this after a few more appearances) but more than Hourihane. But if Coventry, Cullen, Kilkenny, Taylor or Knight start to impress this season at a decent Championship or Premiership team then I would hope he starts to be phased out of the team. His career has proven him to be a very limited player at both club and International level so what some people are seeing on here I don't know.

[pineapple stu]

I don't think he has a worse win rate either - not within statistical relevance anyway.

The 4% difference is really just one win; two tops.

[DeLorean]

I don't think he has a worse win rate either - not within statistical relevance anyway.

The 4% difference is really just one win; two tops.

Deleted my post after. I took your point to mean that Whelan has a better win rate than McCarthy, when I assume now you just meant he'd have a worse win rate if he hadn't had those good players around him.

Young Irish - McCarthy's so-called worth now is obviously going to be impacted by the fact that he's an injury riddled 30 year old. A bit silly to base it on his ability/performances alone.
He was very highly regarded by Wigan & Everton supporters over a much longer time frame than his little stint at Palace, though he's received high praise there too (https://www.otbsports.com/sport/class-player-roy-hodgson-lavishes-praise-midfielder-james-mccarthy-953761) once he got a run of games. Hendrick is best in a completely different midfield role and, as you say, the others are totally unproven. Hopefully they turn out to be world class and we can move on, but until then...

[pineapple stu]

Deleted my post after. I took your point to mean that Whelan has a better win rate than McCarthy, when I assume now you just meant he'd have a worse win rate if he hadn't had those good players around him.
Yeah, it's just that the base stat doesn't really show much at all to be honest. The figures are too close together, and there's too many variables apart from just who played in centre mid.

[passinginterest]

I think if it was still 2 points for a win and 1 for a draw. That would be v interesting in relation to whelos contribution to success. But it's not. Its 3 points and the win is now better than 2 draws. Does that make sense!!

Funnily enough the average points per game for the first five players on the list is incredibly similar, so the wins/draws/losses ratio makes little difference. Maybe it just shows, we've a lot of players of a similar level and will always return a similar result level over time.


Player Cap W D L Pts Pts per game
Glenn Whelan 91 34 40 17 142 1.56
Jeff Hendrick 54 20 21 13 81 1.50
James McCarthy 41 17 12 12 63 1.54
Keith Andrews 35 14 11 10 53 1.51
David Meyler 26 12 4 10 40 1.54

[tetsujin1979]

Been away for a few days with limited internet. Finally getting around to this
Result record for James McCarthy's caps below, along with some other midfielders from the same period for comparison.



Player Caps Wins Draws Losses
Glenn Whelan 91 34(37.3%) 40(43.9%) 17(18.6%)
Jeff Hendrick 54 20(37.0%) 21(38.8%) 13(24.0%)
James McCarthy 41 17(41.4%) 12(29.2%) 12(29.2%)
Keith Andrews 35 14(40.0%) 11(31.4%) 10(28.5%)
David Meyler 26 12(46.1%) 4(15.3%) 10(38.4%)
Paul Green 22 7(31.8%) 10(45.4%) 5(22.7%)
Conor Hourihane 17 5(29.4%) 7(41.1%) 5(29.4%)
Harry Arter 16 7(43.7%) 6(37.5%) 3(18.7%)
Alan Browne 9 2(22.2%) 3(33.3%) 4(44.4%)
Eunan O'Kane 7 2(28.5%) 2(28.5%) 3(42.8%)

Limiting the caps to competitive games results in this table


Player Caps Wins Draws Losses
Glenn Whelan 58 23(39.6%) 25(43.1%) 10(17.2%)
Jeff Hendrick 35 13(37.1%) 14(40.0%) 8(22.8%)
James McCarthy 25 12(48.0%) 6(24.0%) 7(28.0%)
Wes Hoolahan 23 11(47.8%) 7(30.4%) 5(21.7%)
Keith Andrews 20 7(35.0%) 8(40.0%) 5(25.0%)
David Meyler 12 8(66.6%) 2(16.6%) 2(16.6%)
Harry Arter 10 4(40.0%) 4(40.0%) 2(20.0%)
Conor Hourihane 10 3(30.0%) 5(50.0%) 2(20.0%)
Keith Fahey 9 5(55.5%) 2(22.2%) 2(22.2%)
Paul Green 8 2(25.0%) 3(37.5%) 3(37.5%)
Alan Browne 4 0(0.0%) 3(75.0%) 1(25.0%)
Eunan O'Kane 1 1(100%) 0(00.0%) 0(00.0%)
Shaun Williams 1 0(0.0%) 0(00.0%) 1(100%)

[irishfan86]

Nice one Tets. It’s remarkable to me that some on here view him as nothing special.

[tetsujin1979]

it makes me think maybe we missed out on something with Meyler? Admittedly he didn't have a lot of caps, so it's not a great sample size, but we seemed to do well when he did play.

[Diggs246]

Meyler was a good player but no pace

[Diggs246]

Nice one Tets. It’s remarkable to me that some on here view him as nothing special.
Yep. He is by a country mile our best midfielder. Passing. Tackling. positioning. I think after this international window his critics on here will be silent

[seanfhear]

Meyler was a good player but no pace
Unfortunately a serious injury took that option away from him.

[irishfan86]

it makes me think maybe we missed out on something with Meyler? Admittedly he didn't have a lot of caps, so it's not a great sample size, but we seemed to do well when he did play.

Meyler was very solid. It’s a pity injuries didn’t allow him to progress properly. I think the McCarthy skeptics/critics just don’t appreciate the value of a guy who breaks up opposing plays, while also being capable of playing some role in maintaining possession. The likes of Hourihane and Hendrick might very well be more technically sound, but neither of them can do the very specific things that McCarthy can do, especially on the defensive side.

But it’s not an either/or. McCarthy when he’s at his best will free up our more offensively minded midfielders to focus on what they’re best at.

[brine3]

I think the problem is that your average armchair fan is expecting every Irish central midfielder to be a Giles / McGrath / Keane type player. McCarthy is not quite that but he is very, tidy player and good at doing all the small things that don't get noticed on TV. Think Mark Kinsella and Matt Holland.

Unfortunately the media in Ireland are only to happy to appeal to the armchair fans.

[youngirish]

I think the problem is that your average armchair fan is expecting every Irish central midfielder to be a Giles / McGrath / Keane type player. McCarthy is not quite that but he is very, tidy player and good at doing all the small things that don't get noticed on TV. Think Mark Kinsella and Matt Holland.

Unfortunately the media in Ireland are only to happy to appeal to the armchair fans.

Yes people are armchair supporters because they don't agree with you. Posts like these make you look like a fool, a fanboy, both or James McCarthy himself. Who made you such an authority on Irish central midfield players? I'd argue nobody.

If you really knew anything about Ireland and midfielders you would know that Kinsella and Holland offered far more than McCarthy in a much more competitive team playing and getting results against much better opposition than McCarthy ever has for Ireland.

You always knew Kinsella was in the midfield when he was playing and certainly you knew that the opposition midfielders were well aware of it too. As for Holland he weighed in with a number of very important and often spectacular goals against quality opposition. McCarthy is nothing like either. He is more like a budget Michael Carrick.

Are these fans who watch him week in week out armchair supporters also?

https://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=106&tid=177095

Most of those fans for that struggling Premiership team with one top player (Zaha) wouldn't even have him starting for them. That's how highly they think of him those armchair supporters.

But yes you know better.

[brine3]

Spectacular goals are indeed another thing that appeals to the armchair fan.

[DeLorean]

But yes you know better.

Hopefully SK knows better, he seems to have big plans for Mac.

[youngirish]

Spectacular goals are indeed another thing that appeals to the armchair fan.

You're a man with the wit and repertoire of a modern day Oscar Wilde. Clueless about football though.

[youngirish]

Hopefully SK knows better, he seems to have big plans for Mac.

Based on what evidence?

He couldn't get him off quick enough on Thursday.

[DeLorean]

Based on what evidence?

He couldn't get him off quick enough on Thursday.

Based on the evidence of his own words - https://www.otbsports.com/soccer/stephen-kenny-states-james-mccarthy-still-keen-play-ireland-1068450


I know James hasn't played [for Ireland] since 2016 and there were a couple of tough years there for him with injuries and it can be mentally tough when that happens. He is someone who is extremely talented.

He has an exceptional range of passing. I don't think we have utilised him in his best position a lot. We haven't utilised his talent overall and injuries have prevented him becoming sort of regarded as the best midfield player of the generation which, in my mind, he is.

He's only 29 now so even some of his best performances might be ahead of him if he can stay fit. If we can get him facing the goal and get the ball to him in midfield with the speed that we've got, attacking options and the speed, it could be a good combination.

[youngirish]

Based on the evidence of his own words - https://www.otbsports.com/soccer/stephen-kenny-states-james-mccarthy-still-keen-play-ireland-1068450
An incoming manager talking up a player he was asked about in an interview and that means he has big plans for him? You really believe that?

If Molumby and Smallbone break into their respective premiership teams this season he'll be one of the first midfielders to be dropped.

You really think he'll be playing when sitting on the bench with Crystal Palace?

[DeLorean]

You're right. He obviously thinks he's crap.

[youngirish]

You're right. He obviously thinks he's crap.

Who said that? Building straw men for yourself to knock down? You another one of those non armchair supporters with brine?

[Eminence Grise]

Yes people are armchair supporters because they don't agree with you. Posts like these make you look like a fool, a fanboy, both or James McCarthy himself. Who made you such an authority on Irish central midfield players? I'd argue nobody.

One finger points forward, three point back. Take a chill pill, YI, and play the ball not the man.

[seanfhear]

Yes people are armchair supporters because they don't agree with you. Posts like these make you look like a fool, a fanboy, both or James McCarthy himself. Who made you such an authority on Irish central midfield players? I'd argue nobody.

If you really knew anything about Ireland and midfielders you would know that Kinsella and Holland offered far more than McCarthy in a much more competitive team playing and getting results against much better opposition than McCarthy ever has for Ireland.

You always knew Kinsella was in the midfield when he was playing and certainly you knew that the opposition midfielders were well aware of it too. As for Holland he weighed in with a number of very important and often spectacular goals against quality opposition. McCarthy is nothing like either. He is more like a budget Michael Carrick.

Are these fans who watch him week in week out armchair supporters also?

https://www.holmesdale.net/page.php?id=106&tid=177095

Most of those fans for that struggling Premiership team with one top player (Zaha) wouldn't even have him starting for them. That's how highly they think of him those armchair supporters.

But yes you know better.He has had very few good games for Ireland. The Evidence keeps stacking up. Went missing in his latest game, again. Is he minding his body playing for Ireland because of his injury history. If International football is too much for him wouldn’t he be better off to admit it and concentrate on his club career.

[DeLorean]

Who said that? Building straw men for yourself to knock down? You another one of those non armchair supporters with brine?

You asked me to provide evidence that SK has big plans for him, I provided the evidence. This wasn't good enough for you. Even if you believe Kenny was only bigging him up to put a little pep in his step, grand, actions speak louder than words, and he selected him for his first game in charge despite taking a heavy knock the week previously, and his club manager indicating that he shouldn't play.

But you'd prefer to focus on the fact that he was taken off in the game. By the way, he was pretty poor I agree, and has been underwhelming in many games for us over the years, though I disagree he's been as average at club level.

He came back from basically 3/4 years out with injuries, one career threatening, to re-establish himself as a Premier League regular, no mean feat I would have thought, especially earning such high praise for his performances from his manager. But you'd prefer to focus on some fans being okay with losing him to another Premier League side.

You'd prefer to highlight the fact he started the 1-6 versus Germany than the 1-0. We get it, you don't rate him, but a little bit of balance would go a long way or as EG says, take a chill pill.

[Bielsa´s irish]

in my opinion to get the best out of Jimbo McCarthy he needs to play freely on the pitch, as a deep lying playmaker. Play the team around him. Of course he got two nasty injuries.

Ditto this the change of formation is irrevocable and we might see a 3-4-3 with one of Egan or Duffy as Sweeper

[Olé Olé]

in my opinion to get the best out of Jimbo McCarthy he needs to play freely on the pitch, as a deep lying playmaker. Play the team around him. Of course he got two nasty injuries.

Ditto this the change of formation is irrevocable and we might see a 3-4-3 with one of Egan or Duffy as Sweeper

Maybe a 2-2-2-2-2.

[Bielsa´s irish]

[QUOTE=Olé Olé;2047198]Maybe a 2-2-2-2-2.[/QUOTE
what about

----------------------------------------------Randolph-----------------------------------------

----------------coleman------------------egan------------------------------clark


doherty-------------------Molumby---------- Jimbo Mc---------------------------------Stevens



Brady-------------------------------McGoldrick-----------------------------Connolly

[DeLorean]

Really like the look of that. I think Hendrick is there to stay for the time being though, which I don't have a major problem with.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Really like the look of that. I think Hendrick is there to stay for the time being though, which I don't have a major problem with.i
watched a Matty Holland interview where he stated something similar about what i said.

sit hourihane as a cover of the back 4 as a central mid. and free Jimbo McCarthy's energy, and assets in a more advanced role.

[Charlie Darwin]

He has had very few good games for Ireland. The Evidence keeps stacking up. Went missing in his latest game, again. Is he minding his body playing for Ireland because of his injury history. If International football is too much for him wouldn’t he be better off to admit it and concentrate on his club career.
If he was minding his body he wouldn't have shown up to play while injured, would he? I swear, from day one this thread has been the worst.