James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

**The Fly** · 14/03/2011, 1:54 PM

McCarthy happy after clear-the-air Trap talks

**CraftyToePoke** · 14/03/2011, 1:58 PM

Originally Posted by The Fly

McCarthy happy after clear-the-air Trap talks

You have got the old 'writing on the links' down, I see Fly. Wont be no stopping you now boyo.

**DannyInvincible** · 14/03/2011, 2:03 PM

Originally Posted by EastTerracer

The role of Martinez in all the confusion last month is pretty alarming. According to the reports over the weekend James McCarthy met with Craig Levein towards the end of last year at Wigan's request. We've seen Martinez (who spent a brief spell as a player at Motherwell) sitting with Levein at a premier league game this season and the picture below shows Levein and Martinez chatting at a Scotland training session in October.

It seems that this goes way beyond "protecting" James McCarthy and looks more like a manager trying to influence his player towards Scotland.

Maybe there is - or was, rather - something going on behind the scenes with Martinez, but what would be his motivation to act in the interests of Craig Levein, or even Scotland for that matter? He spent a season in Scotland, making 16 appearances for Motherwell during his time there, but why should that have any bearing on who he'd rather McCarthy to play for?

**SwanVsDalton** · 14/03/2011, 2:06 PM

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

You have got the old 'writing on the links' down, I see Fly. Wont be no stopping you now boyo.

An excerpt from Flying High: The Fly Story
Chapter 12 - White House Calling

"...ever since I was just a young maggot, crawling through dirt, I've dreamed of leading the world from that famous Oval Office. Little did I know I would eventually sprout wings and make it there - but I did have several major obstacles to overcome (such as not being a US national or a human being). However one day I realised anything was possible, if I just put my mind to it. That was the day I fully discovered how to embed hyperlinks in text when posting on football messaging boards..."

**The Fly** · 14/03/2011, 2:23 PM

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

You have got the old 'writing on the links' down, I see Fly. Wont be no stopping you now boyo.

Rather worringly, I have found myself tempted to join other forums for no other reason other than to show off my newfound skill.

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

An excerpt from Flying High: The Fly Story
Chapter 12 - White House Calling

"...ever since I was just a young maggot, crawling through dirt, I've dreamed of leading the world from that famous Oval Office. Little did I know I would eventually sprout wings and make it there - but I did have several major obstacles to overcome (such as not being a US national or a human being). However one day I realised anything was possible, if I just put my mind to it. That was the day I fully discovered how to embed hyperlinks in text when posting on football messaging boards..."

**EastTerracer** · 14/03/2011, 2:32 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Maybe there is - or was, rather - something going on behind the scenes with Martinez, but what would be his motivation to act in the interests of Craig Levein, or even Scotland for that matter? He spent a season in Scotland, making 16 appearances for Motherwell during his time there, but why should that have any bearing on who he'd rather McCarthy to play for?

I'm not sure what his motivation might be - it could be he is simply doing a favour for a friend (e.g. Levein) even though he shouldn't be getting involved. In the 90s the issues of having a restricted number of foreign players put a premium on British players so maybe the club have some preference here as well.

I am reading between the lines so I admit its speculative but Martinez's comments were unhelpful and disruptive last month so thought it was interesting.

Thankfully it will all be irrelevant next week when James gets a competitive appearance under his belt.

**dr_peepee** · 14/03/2011, 2:39 PM

If he shows up!!

**CraftyToePoke** · 14/03/2011, 4:16 PM

Originally Posted by The Fly

Rather worringly, I have found myself tempted to join other forums for no other reason other than to show off my newfound skill

Tis a noble art Fly, spread it with pride. Go forth and enjoy, dont stop until there is a by law brought in that stipulates that a matter cannot be considered to have any basis in fact until Fly has linked it.

**DannyInvincible** · 14/03/2011, 4:37 PM

Originally Posted by EastTerracer

I'm not sure what his motivation might be - it could be he is simply doing a favour for a friend (e.g. Levein) even though he shouldn't be getting involved. In the 90s the issues of having a restricted number of foreign players put a premium on British players so maybe the club have some preference here as well.

I am reading between the lines so I admit its speculative but Martinez's comments were unhelpful and disruptive last month so thought it was interesting.

Thankfully it will all be irrelevant next week when James gets a competitive appearance under his belt.

Martinez' words/actions along with the photo would suggest a rather cosy relationship so I wasn't doubting there might be a closeness there; it just seemed odd to me as to how the two might have become so friendly for one to feel like he may owe the other a "favour" of some sort.

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

If he shows up!!

Don't start!

**CraftyToePoke** · 14/03/2011, 4:39 PM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

If he shows up!!

If he pulls out with an injury I predict this thread will break 200 pages before we see him in green, competitively, that is.

**Yard of Pace** · 14/03/2011, 4:46 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Martinez' words/actions along with the photo would suggest a rather cosy relationship so I wasn't doubting there might be a closeness there; it just seemed odd to me as to how the two might have become so friendly for one to feel like he may owe the other a "favour" of some sort.

Don't start!

Well Levein's ploy didn't work anyway but it was certainly worth a try. Did someone say Martinez's wife is a Scot? Just checked Wiki there, she is.
Also with some people giving out about Levein here, I wonder how many would do the same if Trap had tried it with some fantastic prospect?

**geysir** · 14/03/2011, 6:21 PM

Originally Posted by EastTerracer

I'm not sure what his motivation might be - it could be he is simply doing a favour for a friend (e.g. Levein) even though he shouldn't be getting involved. In the 90s the issues of having a restricted number of foreign players put a premium on British players so maybe the club have some preference here as well.

I am reading between the lines so I admit its speculative but Martinez's comments were unhelpful and disruptive last month so thought it was interesting.
Thankfully it will all be irrelevant next week when James gets a competitive appearance under his belt.

Sounds to me that Martinez deliberately misled Trap into having a suspicion that James was not yet fully decided and that was the reason for James not turning up. And it was a strong enough misdirection, that Trap went to meet James personally before announcing the squad.

**seanfhear** · 14/03/2011, 6:39 PM

Martinez has come out looking like a prat in all this.

When your team is looking like relegation material coming out looking like a prat ain't going to help your long term employment prospects !

**Brendan 82** · 14/03/2011, 7:36 PM

Yes, I agree. I seem to remember Martinez saying something like "he has a difficult decision to make". That comment appears quite ridiculous now considering that he has played for our U21 side for years, has a senior cap, and is now in the most recent squad.

**IsMiseSean** · 14/03/2011, 9:16 PM

Why were we all so worried???

**geysir** · 14/03/2011, 9:26 PM

Whose we?

**IsMiseSean** · 14/03/2011, 9:31 PM

Ok the majority on here...

**geysir** · 14/03/2011, 9:37 PM

You mean those gutless fans.

**Crosby87** · 14/03/2011, 9:39 PM

Maybe Martinez had his bosses saying, do what you can to keep him from Int'l play, we want to sell him in the off season when we go down and fire you, and we cant afford him getting hurt.
And maybe his wife was like Och Aye. If yer good for anything yal get em back in Scotland.
Thats all I got.