James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

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.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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

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Originally Posted by paul_oshea

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

He had a low key performance in the first half.

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Originally Posted by 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.

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Anything serious?

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Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Anything serious?

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I'm not sure I was just following text updates on it and it sounded like he picked up a knock late in the first half, played on but didn't come out at half time.

Sounds more precautionary than anything. Hopefully...

Looked sore enough, his foot was stamped upon in the attempted tackle. He stayed on the grass, grimacing for a few minutes, it looked then that his game was over but he came back on and hobbled around for 10 minutes, until he could move more freely. He was subbed at half time.

I didn't watch the 2nd half. Wigan were poor in the first, they actually missed the presence of Caldwell. Norwich were a little better but not much.

Interesting gossip - while just rumour would be a great move for McCarthy and hopefully in time Ireland when Gibson finally returns.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footba...-james-1492364

Being targeted in more ways than one according to Martinez

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20756372

Good news on his injury.


http://www.independent.ie/sport/othe...y-3332431.html

How is the news going down in the Everton forum?

Couple of posts from the Everton fourm.

The response to this one

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McCarthy is very very good and only getting better. He will move on to big things soon and i really hope we are in the hunt for him when wigan do decide to sell him. Anybody who cant see the potential in him hasnt seen enough of him or doesnt know their arse from their elbow.

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Made me chuckle.

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*wipes elbow with toilet paper*

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Are you having a comversation with yourself in here?

Macca looks like a young Kevin Bacon.