James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

**Sullivinho** · 16/01/2012, 9:26 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Hope Trap was watching this game. McCarthy looked very accomplished at the anchor man in midfield in first half and really pushed on in second half.

He keeps an eye on him alright. I reckon there'l be another 'bravo!' text coming James' way via Casa del Trap on that showing.

**Carrigaline** · 16/01/2012, 9:38 PM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

but if he keeps up tonight's performance then he would be very disappointed not to be going to Poland.

It's hard to judge his performance given the massive gap in quality between City and Wigan. What you can definitely identify tonight was his work rate; when people say he's a box-to-box midfielder, there is definitely no exaggeration in that. I was impressed with his tackling tonight, he definitely has no fear of getting stuck in or playing in a defensive role. Going forward, his game was less impressive. A few of his passes were wayward, but he was certainly less wasteful than his team mates.

It's too early to be talking about him moving to a club in the top 6 (Man U, Man C, Arse, Liver, Chel, Spurs), but I definitely think he is a Premier League player and should be at a better club than Wigan. Hopefully Wigan will get relegated in the Summer and McCarthy can get a move to a team like Aston Villa, Sunderland or Fulham.

**drummerboy** · 16/01/2012, 11:18 PM

People forget he is only 20/21 years old with lots more improvement in him.

**BonnieShels** · 17/01/2012, 7:51 AM

Not Fulham.

Now Sunderland. There's an idea.

**zero** · 21/01/2012, 2:34 PM

just gave away a bad penalty by needlessly handling the ball in the relegation battle at loftus road.

helguson scored. these thing happen i guess but this could be a big moment in both sides seasons.

**Charlie Darwin** · 21/01/2012, 10:08 PM

James will hoping Trap doesn't get hold of a DVD of today's game.

**tetsujin1979** · 24/03/2012, 3:31 PM

Got the assist on Caldwell's goal, a mi**** volley that fell to Caldwell in the area.
not playing a massive part in the game, but comfortable when he is possession

<EDIT>

That's mis-hit that's been censored!

**geysir** · 24/03/2012, 4:11 PM

McCarthy's effort on the volley was still goal bound when it was deflected towards Caldwell, who on noticing a pig was flying across the stadium, decided to exhibit a magnificent piece of skill to get the ball under control, get around a defender and slide it past the advancing goalie.
Hail Hail Caldwell

**tetsujin1979** · 24/03/2012, 4:33 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

McCarthy's effort on the volley was still goal bound when it was deflected towards Caldwell, who on noticing a pig was flying across the stadium, decided to exhibit a magnificent piece of skill to get the ball under control, get around a defender and slide it past the advancing goalie.
Hail Hail Caldwell

wasn't a defender, it was Andy Carroll sliding in. Lovely piece of control from Caldwell to take it down, control it, and take it out of Carroll's slide in one movement!

**geysir** · 24/03/2012, 4:51 PM

Lets just say it was Andy Carroll defending.
That was one of the best performances by Wigan that I've seen this season and James was an integral part of it.

**SkStu** · 24/03/2012, 5:18 PM

Was also very impressed with Jimbob as well today. In fact, watching him play in what was mostly a holding role, had me questioning why he hasn't been given an extended chance by Trap in the team. I guess he just has his favorites.

Nice to see Sammon get a runout too.

Edit: lol @ Liverpool.

**DeLorean** · 27/03/2012, 3:22 PM

McCarthy looked outstanding against West Brom the previous weeks as well, going by the highlights. The BBC commentator also mentioned that he was having an excellent season that night. I haven't seen enough full Wigan matches to know really.

**Irish_Praha** · 28/03/2012, 6:02 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

I haven't seen enough full Wigan matches to know really.

Did you not check out his stats?

**DeLorean** · 29/03/2012, 7:56 AM

Originally Posted by Irish_Praha

Did you not check out his stats?

Haha

I suppose there is a big possibility that he is now playing his last few games for Wigan. Liverpool may have shot themselves in the foot in more ways than one should that result keep Wigan in the PL, that's if they are still interested in him. I presume the transfer fee would be a lot lower if they get relegated.

**geysir** · 11/04/2012, 8:46 PM

A big night for Wigan beating Man U. Cracking goal from Maloney, an excellent cameo from Sammon and a quiet enough game from McCarthy except for a few daring runs forward.

**liamoo11** · 11/04/2012, 9:20 PM

Thought he played keep ball really well against a utd midfield that were real poor. Was funny to see how bad cleverly was when he came on for second half. When u tink of the abuse gibson used to get then poor cleverly must be in the dog house on the utd forums tonight.

**geysir** · 11/04/2012, 9:37 PM

When one scapegoat departs, 'fans' will find another and then will claim you know nothing about football unless you agree that such and such a player is useless.

**KK77** · 12/04/2012, 8:36 AM

Originally Posted by liamoo11

Thought he played keep ball really well against a utd midfield that were real poor. Was funny to see how bad cleverly was when he came on for second half. When u tink of the abuse gibson used to get then poor cleverly must be in the dog house on the utd forums tonight.

I think anyone having a go at Cleverly is being very harsh imo. He has hardly played this season due to injury and has been in and out since he has come back. I honestly don't think Man Utd fans would be having a go at him if he played poorly when he came on last night. I am sure they have seen enough already to know he is a good player who can develop into a very good player.

**Stuttgart88** · 12/04/2012, 9:58 AM

I tuned into TalkSport Radio for the last 5 mins commentary last night. The co-commentator (a Brummy, Collymore?) said that McCarthy had just played what was arguably the worst pass of the season. Facing United's goal, he turned around, ran back towards his own goal and played a ball straight to wellbeck which nearly put him in. If accurate, Trap won't have liked that!

**geysir** · 12/04/2012, 10:44 AM

Nah it wasn't arguably the worst pass of the season because no harm came from it, however it was potentially a contender for the most disastrous back pass of the season. Fortunately for James there was just enough weight on it and the goalie was alert to make up the ground and connect with it at the edge of the penalty area.
In that passage of play, Man U were desperate for possession, James had won the ball in the middle and got ambushed, he won it back again but was surrounded, he kept possession with a few tidy turns but in the end had to turn and face his goal and made the only pass he could.
Trap likes a lucky player, a player who deservedly gets a let off from his only mistake on the night

In the first half James was given more license to go forward and had a lovely strike from distance. In the 2nd half, he stayed firmly in the holding role, mainly closing down space and making short secure passes. Afair, the Wigan goalie only had to make one save, that's a credit to the discipline of the Wigan team in the face of non stop Man U pressure.