James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

**Acornvilla** · 24/10/2015, 1:06 PM

Originally Posted by Ol� Ol�

An article here comparing the stats of McCarthy to Whelan: http://www.sportsjoe.ie/football/gle...rprising/45663Tone of the article is pretty disgusting, to be honest. Seeks to discredit Whelan and ridicule him. It's laughable that some people find the need to ignore the opportunity to objectively analyse the performances of Whelan. I'm finding it difficult to think of a game in the past 2 years where he has been poor for us. His passing is crisp and often forward or to oncoming, attacking full-backs (hence the easy, ignorant 'sideways' tagging). He's always showing for the ball. He doesn't have the dynamism to drive forward in possession like Hendrick but he does tend to push up when we are attacking and rarely gives the ball away in such positions. This article is littered with smug inferences e.g.:"What does this mean? Honestly? Probably just that football stats are still behind the times a little.""More key passes is a genuine shocker and his touches have been tidier.""There's nothing there to suggest that the passes being counted weren't just buck-passing exercises or that they weren't back to the 'keeper or full back.""Whelan is rated and trusted by managers for some sort of reason."

The Whelan I watch is always slowing play down and passing behind on running fullbacks. He drove me mad during the Poland game, on a few occasions, Coleman had acres ahead of him, and Whelan would pause for a second and then pass it behind him.. Another moment which sticks in my mind, is v Georgia, he did the right thing, burst on to a ball, and at the edge of the box instead of looking to play someone in, make a 1-2 or take a shot, he turned around and went back to half way.

He's an ok player, and was once very handy for us, but I don't think he's at the same level he was under Trap by any means, age catches up on some players earlier than others, we need more power in midfield to compliment the more creative types. Whelan offers very little any more IMO.

**OwlsFan** · 07/01/2016, 10:37 AM

Time to start to worry yet? The dreaded groin trouble. Andy Reid had missed the best part of a season due to a groin injury.

**DeLorean** · 07/01/2016, 11:07 AM

In Roberto we trust!!

**geysir** · 07/01/2016, 10:49 PM

I suspect Martinez could be trying to prove his players can run laps faster than his new Liverpool counterpart's team.

**Fixer82** · 11/01/2016, 6:30 PM

Originally Posted by Acornvilla

The Whelan I watch is always slowing play down and passing behind on running fullbacks. He drove me mad during the Poland game, on a few occasions, Coleman had acres ahead of him, and Whelan would pause for a second and then pass it behind him.. Another moment which sticks in my mind, is v Georgia, he did the right thing, burst on to a ball, and at the edge of the box instead of looking to play someone in, make a 1-2 or take a shot, he turned around and went back to half way.

Now come on. He didn't go back to half way. You lessen your argument when you start exaggerating.
Remember the times during Ireland's victory over Netherlands when Roy Keane burst out of defence and eased the pressure bringing the ball up the pitch? Then he passed it backwards or sideways and slowed it back down.
Whelan is no Keano but he is a smart defensive midfielder.
Whelan took the right option imo in this instance.
He had two options.
1. Smack it with his left and weaker foot (nobody would've had a problem if he'd had a bang)
or 2. shield the ball and find a team-mate, keeping possession.

**DeLorean** · 20/02/2016, 5:00 PM

Excellent penalty save from Robles spares McCarthy's blushes after he gave away a penalty for as kind of reflex handball. He had been booked earlier so maybe lucky to stay on the pitch.

**tricky_colour** · 20/02/2016, 5:51 PM

Not too sure what he was thinking with the handball.

**DeLorean** · 20/02/2016, 6:40 PM

Yeah you could see he regretted it the second it happened, just misjudged where it was I think and instinctively threw the hand out. No harm done, Everton march on.

**SwanVsDalton** · 09/04/2016, 2:59 PM

Scores against Watford, although Everton just conceded to make it 1-1.

**DeLorean** · 09/04/2016, 4:30 PM

Most of his Everton goals seem to come in end of season dead rubbers. Good finish all the same.

**Fixer82** · 13/04/2016, 11:02 PM

Sent off tonight

**backstothewall** · 13/04/2016, 11:08 PM

Originally Posted by Fixer82

Sent off tonight

Fabulous news. The last thing we want him doing is playing matches at this stage.

**tricky_colour** · 14/04/2016, 2:20 AM

Think this was his second yellow.

**DeLorean** · 14/04/2016, 7:27 AM

Is it a one or two game suspension for two yellows? Either way he'll be back for the FA Cup semi final on Saturday week. They have Southampton at the weekend followed by the Merseyside derby midweek.

**jbyrne** · 14/04/2016, 7:47 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Is it a one or two game suspension for two yellows? Either way he'll be back for the FA Cup semi final on Saturday week. They have Southampton at the weekend followed by the Merseyside derby midweek.

think its only a one game ban. has to be violent conduct for more than that I think

**OwlsFan** · 26/05/2016, 2:36 PM

Time to fret about James ?

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/...of-friendlies/

**KK77** · 26/05/2016, 2:38 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Time to fret about James ?

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/...of-friendlies/

Possibly with the manager now concerned after not being the other day.

**Stuttgart88** · 26/05/2016, 7:34 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

Time to fret about James ?

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2016/...of-friendlies/

he is the front line player I'd be least worried about losing. Harsh but that's how I feel.

**DeLorean** · 26/05/2016, 8:25 PM

I'd have him just behind Long and Brady on my list of players I wouldn't want to lose. Even Coleman is more replaceable I think.

Edit- Hoolahan would be there or thereabouts too actually.

**geysir** · 26/05/2016, 9:03 PM

Hoolahan is both there and thereabouts in the indispensables. If he's not there in the starting line up, you'd definitely want him thereabouts on the bench.

I'd wonder who'd be 1st 2nd and 3rd on O'Neill's list?
Whelan, Given and O'Shea?