Should McCarthy, Walters, Wilson and Gibson be given a future callup or ignored?

**Murfinator** · 08/06/2011, 10:17 AM

They've all played in their most recent club fixture while declaring themselves unavailable for international duty under severe suspicion. This isn't the first time any of them has had this suspicion around them either.

The result without them was a very united group and some of our best performances stringed together in recent years.

Feels like they'd all be better off in the international wilderness unless they improve their attitude.

**SwanVsDalton** · 08/06/2011, 10:23 AM

With a better attitude and more willingness, yes. Certainly in the case of Walters who appears to have been genuinely disappointed to miss out. They shouldn't it expect to waltz back in though - them's the breaks and others have done well.

**Stuttgart88** · 08/06/2011, 10:25 AM

We still don't know the full extent of the "injuries". By all accounts Walters in particular had a genuine injury that would have prevented him playing. I'm sure the others had niggles, or worse, but were all lacking the commitment of Sledge, O'Dea, Hunt etc. who all played through the pain barrier.

I say call them up but spell out the attitude that's required. Monitor the situation & see how their inclusion affects morale in the camp. I'd rather leave a good player out if it jeopardises the solidarity clearly there among the current squad.

**French Toasht** · 08/06/2011, 10:27 AM

I think each case should be assessed on it's individual merits. For example, Walters appears to have a completely innocent excuse. Also I wouldn't jump to any conclusions on Gibson just yet, Trap can be pretty petulant and shout his mouth off at times without justification.

That said, I'm very happy with the squad we have had over the last 2 weeks and only really look forward to the return of Dunne, Duff and Doyle.

**AlaskaFox** · 08/06/2011, 10:35 AM

Gibson hasn't played in his most recent club fixture...

**Predator** · 08/06/2011, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I say call them up but spell out the attitude that's required. Monitor the situation & see how their inclusion affects morale in the camp. I'd rather leave a good player out if it jeopardises the solidarity clearly there among the current squad.

It seems sad that these players, or indeed any professional, would require a clarification on the attitude that's expected.

**TrapAPony** · 08/06/2011, 11:16 AM

Of course they should be considered/called up for future squads. There's no use in limiting your options. I think the reaction to them pulling out of the Carling Nations squad is a bit OTT tbh.

**Crosby87** · 08/06/2011, 11:22 AM

If McCarthy pulls out again and it looks shady, there is no way Trap will ever call him back up. I don't think Gibson is in his plans anymore.
Would you rather have a C+ player that wants to be there or a B- player that doesn't?

**passinginterest** · 08/06/2011, 11:29 AM

I think this could be a bit of a wake up call for some of these guys, they've pulled out of a squad that's gone and produced some excellent results without them and seems to have found a real team spirit. I'd be hopeful they'll put their heads down and work hard and if they're lucky enough to get another call they'll display the required attitude. It's hard to see any of them getting straight back into the squad, they'll have to rely on withdrawals or club form that's impossible to ignore (and there won't really be time to display this kind of form before the next games).

**Duggie** · 08/06/2011, 11:29 AM

id leave it up to trap, i wouldnt care if he dosent call them up for a while. there own fault. his call on this one for me.

**Kingdom** · 08/06/2011, 11:31 AM

If I was one of them, and I'm not (I'm Ciaran Clark), I would have the Irish fixtures written down at home, I'd be expecting a call-up and I wouldn't make any plans for during those matches. Then, even if I wasn't called up, I'd still be going over to be with the squad or to follow the team. Isn't that how it should work ?

Something I've always wondered about, do the fella's who don't make the squad or pull out, do they even see the games they miss?
I mean, what happens when the squad meets up in August pre-Croatia and Walters and Wilson are in it, and one of them is asked by a team mate, "what did you think of the Macedonian #10", will they have seen the game, what impression does that give?

All I know if it was me, I'd be travelling to those games as a fan, even if I was injured.

**Duggie** · 08/06/2011, 11:34 AM

maybe they should have the courtesy to ring trap and ask to be considered and apologise and try and put the past behind them? thats what they should do.

**centre mid** · 08/06/2011, 11:39 AM

I dont understand why people think McCarthy is dodgy. He obviously wants to play for Ireland given the amount of abuse that he and his family went through when he declared for Ireland. As with any club I suppose, Wigan dont want him playing International football and seeming to be fairly obnoxious in their handling of the injurygate saga.

**passinginterest** · 08/06/2011, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

If I was one of them, and I'm not (I'm Ciaran Clark), I would have the Irish fixtures written down at home, I'd be expecting a call-up and I wouldn't make any plans for during those matches. Then, even if I wasn't called up, I'd still be going over to be with the squad or to follow the team. Isn't that how it should work ?

Something I've always wondered about, do the fella's who don't make the squad or pull out, do they even see the games they miss?
I mean, what happens when the squad meets up in August pre-Croatia and Walters and Wilson are in it, and one of them is asked by a team mate, "what did you think of the Macedonian #10", will they have seen the game, what impression does that give?

All I know if it was me, I'd be travelling to those games as a fan, even if I was injured.

In theory that would be great but I'm sure there would be issues with clubs giving their consent. If a player is carrying a knock the club will want him there getting treatment and I'm sure training doesn't stop completely for those not called up to international squads. You would hope that they'd at least try to watch the game.

**paul_oshea** · 08/06/2011, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by passinginterest

I think this could be a bit of a wake up call for some of these guys, they've pulled out of a squad that's gone and produced some excellent results without them and seems to have found a real team spirit. I'd be hopeful they'll put their heads down and work hard and if they're lucky enough to get another call they'll display the required attitude. It's hard to see any of them getting straight back into the squad, they'll have to rely on withdrawals or club form that's impossible to ignore (and there won't really be time to display this kind of form before the next games).

This is how i see it too and this is exactly what Trap is doing. He is giving them an ultimatum but also building a siege mentality amongst the group. How he balances/handles that if said players come back and improve the team, will be more than interesting.

**Duggie** · 08/06/2011, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by centre mid

I dont understand why people think McCarthy is dodgy. He obviously wants to play for Ireland given the amount of abuse that he and his family went through when he declared for Ireland. As with any club I suppose, Wigan dont want him playing International football and seeming to be fairly obnoxious in their handling of the injurygate saga.

he could have come if he wanted, didnt preston tell st ledger not to go but he said he wanted to and he wasnt even fit. seems to have a casual attitude.

**Kingdom** · 08/06/2011, 11:50 AM

Trap is a pragmatist - he has to be having lasted this long in management and to have had the success he's had.
I'd suspect there are members of the first team squad, that he would jettison knowing that they would return in a heartbeat if needed - I'm thinking Damien Delaney, Paul McShane, Andy Keogh, Paul Green, Brian Murphy - if he could improve the overall quality by re-introducing some of the more abled players once they showed they were willing.

I think we're codding ourselves if we don't think the likes of McCarthy and Wilson will show up on the radar between now and Euro 2012. There are some cases - Leon Best - where he probably is fighting for reserve squad member at best, pardon the pun, and has decided that it's not worth it. Fine in my book, I'd have Walters over him as backup to Doyle anyway.

**Kingdom** · 08/06/2011, 11:54 AM

To give McCarthy his due, he is supposed to be on the verge of a massive transfer, and he is carrying an injury, so I can understand not wanting to scupper his immediate future.
If he was injured he wasn't going to be taking part in the nations cup anyway. Trap didn't make any subs with players he trusts in Macedonia either so he wasn't going to feature there also.
If he hadn't been pictured on the lash in Wigan then there wouldn't be as much of a furore.

There is a definite problem with communication somewhere. I suspect we'll never know the real truth.

**French Toasht** · 08/06/2011, 11:54 AM

I must say I was hoping Wigan would get relegated, purely because it would ensure that McCathy would leave that club. Wigan are not a very Ireland-friendly club and always seem to try to inhibit him playing for Ireland, and even the club actively encouraged him to meet Levein, regarding the possibilty of representing Scotland.