James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

McArthur just asked about the McCarthy defection rumour on SKY. He batted the question back, but was breaking into a smirk at the same time.

---

One what? Sky News? Sky Sports News?

If like to see the clip if it is available online.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kingdom

I think you do the followers of this site a disservice by referring to them as eejits, but that's your outlook.

I've no problem with you disagreeing, but I did ask you what you based your assertion on? Otherwise you're no different that some of the "eejits".
I'm comparing the two. Gibson is 3 years older, and has played 50 games less than McCarthy in that time. Gibson has underwhelmed in his 4 seasons or so at senior football, even getting stick during his time at Wolves as noted on this site. McCarthy first came to note playing for his local senior time in the second tier of Scotland at 16, impressed at the first step up at promotion to the Spl, impressed again when changing environment and a noted step up in class in the EPL, still at 18/19, and has gone from strength to strength, as noted by pro commentators countrywide. He has done this at relatively small clubs, playing in sides that are in theory "inferior". United are likely to be recruiting in the summer for replacements for Scholes, Hargreaves and Giggs. Gibson hasn't displayed anything (yet) to suggest that he is ready to take over the mantle from scholes, and with the likes of Cleverly to come back, who is younger and better rated, I don't see it happening.
It's my belief that there is as good a chance that both players will be changing scenary in the summer, both going in opposite directions from where they are now. That will be good for one of them. I really do hope Gibson etches out a niche for himself at United, as that would be good for us, but right now, I just don't see it, and the years will keep ticking on quickly.

---

Totally agree. McCarthys development has been consistent with pretty much each year of his career and there is every chance a few top clubs will be sniffing around during the summer. I personally hope the Wigan team around him can improve and he stays there for another year or two. No need for him to be rushing off to a bigger club like so many have and regretted.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by LFCSixty/Eighty

Totally agree. McCarthys development has been consistent with pretty much each year of his career and there is every chance a few top clubs will be sniffing around during the summer. I personally hope the Wigan team around him can improve and he stays there for another year or two. No need for him to be rushing off to a bigger club like so many have and regretted.

---

I don't like the fact that he's at a club with a big Scots presence in McArthur and the Caldwells. We benefitted from Dunne's influence at Villa with Clark, we might lose out on one if there's influencing going on at Wigan....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

I don't like the fact that he's at a club with a big Scots presence in McArthur and the Caldwells. We benefitted from Dunne's influence at Villa with Clark, we might lose out on one if there's influencing going on at Wigan....

---

Somebody give Sammon a call, see if he'll have a word...tell him he's in the next squad if he keeps McCarthy on the straight and green.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Have to completely disagree. You can pay me winnings in c. 10 years. Though to be fair to Gibson his ManU. career could be determined by Fergie's tenure or who his successor is.

McCarthy is just another 'hope' every eejit is pinning their shirt on. If he was that good, he wouldn't be at Wigan. End of.

---

England's current great hopes are at Ipswich, Southampton and Tranmere.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

I don't like the fact that he's at a club with a big Scots presence in McArthur and the Caldwells. We benefitted from Dunne's influence at Villa with Clark, we might lose out on one if there's influencing going on at Wigan....

---

I certainly get the feeling that they've been in his ear alright.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

I don't like the fact that he's at a club with a big Scots presence in McArthur and the Caldwells. We benefitted from Dunne's influence at Villa with Clark, we might lose out on one if there's influencing going on at Wigan....

---

I doubt very much it matters to him that a few team mates are Scottish.

The Scots gave him a hard time at Hamilton, he's since publicly on several occasions committed to Ireland, so I don't see him going back on that. It's not like choosing a club to play for, it means a lot more to just casually change due to others around you(Clark didn't receive abuse from English fans and anyway he's stated it was always his first choice but they never approached him, I doubt Dunne convinced him to turn, I'd say it was more ''I'll ring the FAI and tell them your interested)

The only way he'll switch allegiance is if he has the personality of a S.Ireland, and that would be a 1 in a million

At this point while I admit he shouldn't have to address this every week, James could end all this with a 2 second statement reiterating his commitment to Ireland.
My biggest question is even if he wants to stay will he even get picked for the March game or are we going to have to deal with this for another seemingly endless amount of time.

'Extended' Trap interview coming up on the Nations Cup highlights show on RTE2.

this argument raged long before he went to england. He was playing for Hamilton with a team full of Scots, including McArthur while representing us.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

England's current great hopes are at Ipswich, Southampton and Tranmere.

---

Wickham, Chamberlain & Jennings presumably?

Ray Houghton also about to discuss James McCarthy "in more detail" in a few minutes on RTE Two.

Tony O'Donoghue really is a slithering sh*t when it comes to after match interviews. Don't try to be coy, or smarmy, Tony, if you've a fu*king question to ask of a professional footballer, ask the bloody question. The question he put to MacArthur was cringeworthy.

Edit, I mean that in relation to TOD being a professional journalist.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kingdom

I think you do the followers of this site a disservice by referring to them as eejits, but that's your outlook.

I've no problem with you disagreeing, but I did ask you what you based your assertion on? Otherwise you're no different that some of the "eejits".
I'm comparing the two. Gibson is 3 years older, and has played 50 games less than McCarthy in that time. Gibson has underwhelmed in his 4 seasons or so at senior football, even getting stick during his time at Wolves as noted on this site. McCarthy first came to note playing for his local senior time in the second tier of Scotland at 16, impressed at the first step up at promotion to the Spl, impressed again when changing environment and a noted step up in class in the EPL, still at 18/19, and has gone from strength to strength, as noted by pro commentators countrywide. He has done this at relatively small clubs, playing in sides that are in theory "inferior". United are likely to be recruiting in the summer for replacements for Scholes, Hargreaves and Giggs. Gibson hasn't displayed anything (yet) to suggest that he is ready to take over the mantle from scholes, and with the likes of Cleverly to come back, who is younger and better rated, I don't see it happening.
It's my belief that there is as good a chance that both players will be changing scenary in the summer, both going in opposite directions from where they are now. That will be good for one of them. I really do hope Gibson etches out a niche for himself at United, as that would be good for us, but right now, I just don't see it, and the years will keep ticking on quickly.

---

Well if people run en masse down a blind alley, so be it. Which personally think is a little silly hence my comment.
But it's not intended to be overly personal!

As for McCarthy, like I say wish him well, but be amazed if he turns out anything like as good as you imply. Just don't see that level of potential myself.
Appreciate Gibson is nothing overly special, but even average players don't forge out a career for Fergie, for nothing. And much as I detest the man, he might just be a better judge of a player than most on here....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kingdom

Tony O'Donoghue really is a slithering sh*t when it comes to after match interviews. Don't try to be coy, or smarmy, Tony, if you've a fu*king question to ask of a professional footballer, ask the bloody question. The question he put to MacArthur was cringeworthy.

---

He's absolutely terrible. An absolute lick*rse.

Was cringing watching him last night conducting interviews with the Irish lads and Trap

Kenny Cunningham the voice of reason as per usual.

Jaysus, that interview with Trapattoni has me worried now. He said that it's up to McCarthy who he wants to play for and he didn't say anything to encourage James. He said its the same situation as Stephen Ireland which isn't likely to make James McCarthy too happy.

Runaway train..............runaway train..............runaway train................

The lack of tact on display from some quarters in the last few days does beggar belief.

I don't believe Trapatonni rates McCarthy and does not believe he can do the job that Whelan, Green and less so(in Traps eyes) Gibson and Fahey. He is manufacturing a situation whereby the player himself makes the decision not to be involved. Same applies to his new view of Keane (especially after the Slovakian game). Annoy(bordering on ridicule) the player publicly and force him to make the decision. Hence the comments today about McCarthy and the Vancouver Whitecap stuff in reference to Keane. Trapatonni is a very, very clever man. I don't buy his bumbling Englitalian craic one bit. The bottom line is IMO Trapatonni does not believe McCarthy is good/disciplined enough to stick to Trap's strategy and Keane is past it. I strongly disagree on both counts but Trapatonni feels he can do without both.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

I don't believe Trapatonni rates McCarthy and does not believe he can do the job that Whelan, Green and less so(in Traps eyes) Gibson and Fahey. He is manufacturing a situation whereby the player himself makes the decision not to be involved. Same applies to his new view of Keane (especially after the Slovakian game). Annoy(bordering on ridicule) the player publicly and force him to make the decision. Hence the comments today about McCarthy and the Vancouver Whitecap stuff in reference to Keane. Trapatonni is a very, very clever man. I don't buy his bumbling Englitalian craic one bit. The bottom line is IMO Trapatonni does not believe McCarthy is good/disciplined enough to stick to Trap's strategy and Keane is past it. I strongly disagree on both counts but Trapatonni feels he can do without both.

---

Is there a full moon tonight?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EastTerracer

Jaysus, that interview with Trapattoni has me worried now. He said that it's up to McCarthy who he wants to play for and he didn't say anything to encourage James. He said its the same situation as Stephen Ireland which isn't likely to make James McCarthy too happy.

---

Trap said it was the same as the SI thing, then when asked to clarify, he emphasised that it was exactly the same.
I suppose that would explain a lot.
Personally I would crave to have James in the team, but this is international football, if he does not have that desire then I have no qualms about another player who would be honoured to play, in there instead.
And if James walks away, then good luck to him, no hard feelings.

I would rather Trapattoni walk away than McCarthy.

Trap lobbing the ball into McCarthy's court with those comments. Can't see him naming the guy in his next squad if he equates him to Stephen Ireland! Sh*tstorm set to continue.

He doesn't equate James to SI, he equates the situation as exactly the same i.e. the player has to state his choice.
I think Trap understands quite well the honour it is to play for your country. If James understands that honour, then there is no problem with choosing Ireland. Maybe it will all become clearer soon enough.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Fly

Is there a full moon tonight?

---

Wooooooooooooooh. No full moon but Trapatonni is doing nothing unusual in his football manager land. He got rid of both Reid's and made some very damaging public comments about Stephen Reid's injury. And I guarantee you that his comments today about Gibson leaving United mean Gibson will not start against Macedonia if Whelan and Green are fit. Its his way of doing things. And I don't believe he wants to go down as the Irish manager who dropped Keane.

I missed the highlights and interviews, but judging about what has been said it's not sounding like a good situation. He can't axe Robbie Keane sure we will score no goals up front anyway with Doyle and Walters. McCarthy either plays for us or he doesn't i'd prefer the situation to be made clear to us by the time the next qualifier in March comes about.

I'd say the worst thing that could happen would be for James to Google his own name and end up reading
some of the bull**** and conjecture in this thread.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

Wooooooooooooooh. No full moon but Trapatonni is doing nothing unusual in football manager land. He got rid of both Reid's and made some very damaging public comments about Stephen Reid's injury. And I guarantee you that his comments today about Gibson leaving United mean Gibson will not start against Macedonia if Whelan and Green are fit.

---

Please no Green he is terrible, and every time he plays I know he is going to give the ball to our opponents at least 20 times. I agree about the Stephen Reid injury I said this before here and got the Trap fan club saying I was way off the mark. McCarthy is about 10 times the player Green ever can be. We will not qualify with Green in midfield Russia ran through him like he wasn't there.

One puzzle though are the comments that Noel King made after he spoke with James recently.
"Him not being in the senior squad wasn't even mentioned, he is keen to play for Ireland and that's not in doubt "

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ShamrockIreland

Please no Green he is terrible, and every time he plays I know he is going to give the ball to our opponents at least 20 times. I agree about the Stephen Reid injury I said this before here and got the Trap fan club saying I was way off the mark. McCarthy is about 10 times the player Green ever can be. We will not qualify with Green in midfield Russia ran through him like he wasn't there.

---

Giles goes on a lot about managers just not 'fancying' (Giles words) a certain type of player (In Giles own case Matt Busby). I believe that is what is happening here.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

Giles goes on a lot about managers just not 'fancying' (Giles words) a certain type of player (In Giles own case Matt Busby). I believe that is what is happening here.

---

Well he didn't FANCY Pirlo when he was the Italian boss cos he didn't suit his system. Gattusso was asked about this and said half the time the players didn't know what they were doing and the results showed that. There is no system really otherwise we wouldn't be getting murdered by Russia at home. Big Jack did have a system and Brady paid for not following it(And getting old). The Trap gang will come back and tell me we were unbeaten in the last campaign although we only won 4 games. If Trap thinks he's getting a new contract by discarding any talented player in midfield and playing utterly useless ones he's another thing coming

Given suggested that perhaps modern players don't treat playing for the national team as seriously as they did when he was younger. I'm inclined to agree with that sentiment.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

I don't believe Trapatonni rates McCarthy and does not believe he can do the job that Whelan, Green and less so(in Traps eyes) Gibson and Fahey. He is manufacturing a situation whereby the player himself makes the decision not to be involved. Same applies to his new view of Keane (especially after the Slovakian game). Annoy(bordering on ridicule) the player publicly and force him to make the decision. Hence the comments today about McCarthy and the Vancouver Whitecap stuff in reference to Keane. Trapatonni is a very, very clever man. I don't buy his bumbling Englitalian craic one bit. The bottom line is IMO Trapatonni does not believe McCarthy is good/disciplined enough to stick to Trap's strategy and Keane is past it. I strongly disagree on both counts but Trapatonni feels he can do without both.

---

Trap is quite clearly an evil genius in the charge of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland who's been sent on a mission to impoverish the FAI (and Denis O'Brien), recapture the prized McCarthy, drive Robbie Keane into retirement (and the Olympic Stadium) and to neutralise our most lethal assets, Andy Reid's guitar solos. He got half way there, but by god we're on to him now...

Some of you people need to shut the laptop for a few hours. If James goes to play for Scotland it's because he wants to play for Scotland, not because some journalist who wanted to stir the pot induced Trapattoni to put his foot in his mouth and then forwarded the comments eagerly to McCarthy's agent.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Junior

Wonder why Levein wasnt asked the same question?

---

Levein is on the BBC as saying all options to be pursued or some such phrase, the piece is in relation to Gary Hooper and James McCarthy.

Here : http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/9391709.stm

I get the feeling more and more there is something in this and that Trap is the wrong wrong wrong man to have dealing with it, we will need McCarthy a lot longer than we need Trap.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ShamrockIreland

Well he didn't FANCY Pirlo when he was the Italian boss cos he didn't suit his system. Gattusso was asked about this and said half the time the players didn't know what they were doing and the results showed that. There is no system really otherwise we wouldn't be getting murdered by Russia at home. Big Jack did have a system and Brady paid for not following it(And getting old). The Trap gang will come back and tell me we were unbeaten in the last campaign although we only won 4 games. If Trap thinks he's getting a new contract by discarding any talented player in midfield and playing utterly useless ones he's another thing coming

---

Great point about Pirlo and it applies here with McCarthy.

any links to the McArthur interview and Trap press conference today?

I don't see how McCarthy wouldn't fit into Trap's system. He has all the attributes required to do the job and I was half-expecting him to start before he pulled out of the squad.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

He got rid of both Reid's and made some very damaging public comments about Stephen Reid's injury.

---

His PR could use serious work. But Andy Reid's tearing it up for Blackpool and Steven Reid retired, not because he got his feelings hurt by some geriatric Italian, but because he decided to concentrate on club football. It's simply hair-pullingly disingenuous to suggest otherwise. So I don't see how you can go from 'he's poor with media' to 'Trap shot JR!' or whatever tin-hatted conspiracy theory you posted earlier.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

Hoooowwwwwwwwwwwwwlllllll

---

Full moon indeed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Predator

I don't see how McCarthy wouldn't fit into Trap's system. He has all the attributes required to do the job and I was half-expecting him to start before he pulled out of the squad.

---

Totally agree, he would've gotten a good chunk of playing time. But Trap wouldn't have seen him play, he'd be too busy up on the grassy knoll fixing a sniper scope to his rifle...