He might not stand out as being brilliant in every game but the lad has had a very very solid start to his Premiership career, better than most 18/19 year olds I would think
Printable View
He might not stand out as being brilliant in every game but the lad has had a very very solid start to his Premiership career, better than most 18/19 year olds I would think
He's not a superstar just yet, but he's very intelligent and strong for his age. He's actually very quick and looks to be a better athlete than I thought he was was.
Very glad he's playing with us any way, and I think we've got our first elite-level player here since Keane/Duff broke through a decade ago. In my view it's only a matter of time before a top level team comes in for him.
he was being monitored when he was in Scotland by some of the top teams across Europe, but none of them were willing to take a chance on him. Now that's he's proven himself at the very least an adequate Premiership player, I do expect interest in him to rise. Fair play to Martinez for sticking to his guns, and the interest he showed in McCarthy at Swansea, and getting in the player he wanted for his new team.
no he wanted to stay in Hamilton for a while and not make the jump to a big club were he wouldn't get first team football. hes a smart boy or a at least he has a few good people taking care of him and didn't let him go anywhere when he wasn't ready or go for the money.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
He then went to Wigan (when he or his family taught he was ready)because of the former Hamilton coach at Wigan aided by the fact he had a chance of playing regular premiership football
or am i totally mad :)
well, other than Swansea, did any other team put in an official bid for him? I know Liverpool took him on a trial, where he played in a training game, but it didn't result in a bid.
Wonder what his value is now?
Wolves wanted to sign him didnt they?
Yeah it was between Wolves and Wigan.
We got the Wigan game today on FSC here, had to laugh Jimmy Mac was on his heels, someone was about to run right by him so he basically tackled him and got a yellow.
It concerned me (and the announcers) a little about his pace to be honest and no one is a bigger buyer in him than me.
I predict he leads us to Euro 2012 with solid two way play. (If Trap Allows that.)
It was some shot he had from about 30 yards, that hit the post/crossbar.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crosby87
The BBC Radio 5 commentators said they've been very impressed by him this year.
You could argue that that yellow card showed a bit of cuteness, rather than worry about his pace. The professionals foul, take the yellow card and stop the outnumbered counter attack.
Wouldnt worry too much about pace as long as he is not ridiculously slow. In the list of Xavi, Fabregas,Scholes,Gerrard,Pirlo,Keane etc pace wouldnt be high on their list of main attributes.
Anyway, you can't make a judgement about his pace based on that yellow card incident.
Looking at the Wigan team these last 2 games, it looks a very good place for McCarthy to stay another year, especially if Martinez is allowed to build on this.
Pace is something that can be worked on with weights anyway. Look at how much Gerrard has bulked up since he broke into the Liverpool team.
To make a point worth noting, Roy keane was only 19 when he went to Forest. I think it's fair to say that this kid is on the up. He has half a season as a premiership starter under his belt. Regardless of how much he contributes to 2012, if he continues his development he'll be a main stay for 2014. Really excited by him to be honest, and some of the other kids coming up like meyler and coleman
McCarthy is actually surprisingly quick from what I've seen. I didn't see the foul in question, but if you are facing a player running at you, it doesn't matter how quick you are; if they are running at full tilt you are not going to turn around and catch them.
Brains and athleticism are probably the two most important attributes for a central midfielder and I think he scores very high in both these departments.
Anyone see his shot at west ham?
http://www.footytube.com/video/west-...ic-apr24-40694
At 2:50.
That was some strike, pitty the keeper saved it (just).
Jesus, that was some shot alright.Quote:
Originally Posted by tricky_colour
Video removed now it seems.
I was just busy on another thread there a few mins ago and when I was looking on another website for info to back up my post I found a very interesting point on a Scottish website.
They claim that the reason that James choose for the Republic was not because it was his grandfathers dying wish but apparently it has all to do with Archie Knox.
Apparently there was a match between a team James was on (I cant say Hamilton because I am not sure) and Rangers. James was man of the match but the manager of the youth team (Ross Mathie) took 8, yes, that’s 8, of the Rangers team with him for the Scottish youth team.
According to this poster anyway, they didn’t want him because of the Irish background.
Of course they deny this: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/footbal...8057-20936118/
Has he been removed from the squad for the friendlies? Read it on soccerrepublic but havent seen it anywhere else
I think it was in most of the papers yesterday as it was announced late on Tuesday evening after the withdrawals of Dunne and Kilbane.Quote:
Originally Posted by rebelmusic
Bahharrrrggg was looking forward to seeing him. Boourns!
Is he actually tied to us now or no?
No Fergie I think he has to play in a non friendly senior match.
I thought as much. Shame he can't get in for the friendly matches. Really want to see him start to break into the team.
Theres no danger of him not playing for us for years to come whether he is offically tied now or not. In his mind he is 100% committed and thats all that matters
As far as I can tell, he is not officially tied, but luckily most players and managers seem to think a friendly does tie you so it won't really be an issue anyway even if he wanted to switch.
This could be a long year for young James. Wigan had a few bites in the start of the match vs Chelsea today, Jamie looked active, I like his pace, but.........It may be tough for him this year.
Bad team, relegation fodder, will struggle to score even one goal most games. I think some on here would call that "character building".
Hope those people are right and he doesn't sink in the muck.
Is it better to play on a bad team who gets blitzed all year in the prem or a good Championship side, when you are young? Just a question.
I realize it was a superior opponent today but my concern is, today is August 21st, and Wigan look awful, sort of hopeless. Hopefully, the situation does not totally deteriorate because I think he is our most interesting prospect and I would hate to see how this might end up affecting him.
Ashley Young always shone at Watford when they were being given a hiding each week. It's a sink or swim situation but every player has one in some shape or form.
Roy Keane was in the Nottingham Forest team that was relegated, didn't do his career any harm
I thought he played well yesterday. He can look up and pass it forward which is something we lack at this moment in time in the middle of the park. Wigan were the better team for the first 45 but the first goal knocked the stuffing out of em.
Had a powerful shot from outside the area deflect onto the post as well
watched him when Hamilton joined the SPL and hes nothing special, he's like a Darren Gibson like player I would say and the other Scottish guy that Wigan have signed with the same kind of of name McArthur I think is even worse.Quote:
Originally Posted by shakermaker1982
In fairness if a players first name doesn't begin with A and his surname rhyme with speedy, then you don't seem to rate him, so forgive us if we don't take your opinion as gospelQuote:
Originally Posted by aidinho
Why is Trap not including the lad in the squad???
Because we have no shortage of experienced central midfielders and he's only 19 and in the U21s.
There's no way he would change back now. He has already played for the Senior National team, albeit in a non-binding friendly but has anyone ever switched after having actually played for the Seniors? Seems impossible to imagine
I doubt it because until recently a senior friendly was enough to tie you.
Yep, thought so; and I don't think he wants to set any such precedent. Case closed
McCarthy has never represented Scotland at any level, so it's not really an issue of him changing "back", just to be pedantic. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Brendan 82
Beyond the odd protests from disgruntled Scottish journalists now and again, and although he's perfectly entitled to change association under current FIFA rules if he so wishes, there's no indication whatsoever that he will switch to Scotland as he has always been committed to Ireland and I don't see why that should change just because he wasn't called into the senior squad for the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers. He's been with us from under-17 level. He's still young at only 19 and he'll play his part soon enough; most likely a fairly major one for us, given his potential.
To the best of my knowledge, no-one has ever switched to another association after playing for our senior side, although Shane Lowry (Australian-born to Irish parents) of Aston Villa switched to Australia after playing for our under-17s and later our under-21s. He has yet to appear at senior level for Australia, however, despite committing to them.
Elsewhere, I am aware that Edgar Castillo won four senior friendly caps for Mexico before switching to the US, for whom he now has one senior cap, and Jermaine Jones had played three times for Germany's senior side in friendly games but has now decided to declare for the US. He was called into their squad earlier this month but pulled out due to fitness concerns. I'm sure there are other players around the world who have played for two senior teams since the rule-change.
Good point Danny! Considering he put up with crap from supporters in Scotland and has declared that the FAI chose him when Scotland showed no interest, why would he now listen to any requests from Levein?