James McCarthy M Celtic b.1990

**Diggs246** · 07/09/2020, 1:49 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

He was actually our worst midfielder of 6 over the course of the 2 games but don't let some facts get in the way of a gut feeling.

No conor was. My understanding from his comments is that kenny indicated he rested an semi injured McCarthy. With no reference to jeff an conor, so he actually dropped jeff and conor. Whether you or me like it or not James McCarthy will start against Slovakia.

On a side note did Conor, jeff , arter or anyone else anchor an FA winning midfield including beating Manchester city in the final.....#fact !

**youngirish** · 07/09/2020, 1:53 PM

Originally Posted by Diggs246

No conor was. My understanding from his comments is that kenny indicated he rested an semi injured McCarthy. With no reference to jeff an conor, so he actually dropped jeff and conor. Whether you or me like it or not James McCarthy will start against Slovakia.

On a side note did Conor, jeff , arter or anyone else anchor an FA winning midfield including beating Manchester city in the final.....#fact !

Nope you have me there. And also they didn't get relegated in the same season.

**paul_oshea** · 07/09/2020, 1:55 PM

Diggs i thought the consensus on here was they weren't dropped? No one was technically dropped? Are you just putting 2 and 2 together?
"Kenny said that a decision to change his entire midfield was not a reaction any performances in Thursday's draw with Bulgaria, suggesting that both Jeff Hendrick and James McCarthy needed their game-time managed."

Hourihane i think could have played himself out of the squad nevermind the team!

**Diggs246** · 07/09/2020, 2:24 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

Nope you have me there. And also they didn't get relegated in the same season.

No they didn't as none them were anywhere near the premier league

**Diggs246** · 07/09/2020, 2:26 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Diggs i thought the consensus on here was they weren't dropped? No one was technically dropped? Are you just putting 2 and 2 together?
"Kenny said that a decision to change his entire midfield was not a reaction any performances in Thursday's draw with Bulgaria, suggesting that both Jeff Hendrick and James McCarthy needed their game-time managed."

Hourihane i think could have played himself out of the squad nevermind the team!

I thought he only name checked McCarthy re " we have to mind him" or the like no? and the other 2 weren't referenced... just not picked

**paul_oshea** · 07/09/2020, 2:31 PM

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-39508095.html

**Diggs246** · 07/09/2020, 2:54 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...-39508095.html

Fair enough, I didn't know his referenced Jeff as well, so Jeff is off the hook!, its very damning of Conor isn't it though?

**paul_oshea** · 07/09/2020, 3:06 PM

Not great alright diggsy.

**Charlie Darwin** · 08/09/2020, 1:01 AM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

He plays like he is looking after himself.

He must be really committed to playing this character because I was him and I didn't want to play football I'd just put me feet up and not worry about it.

**Charlie Darwin** · 08/09/2020, 1:02 AM

Originally Posted by seanfhear

There were a lot of Man Utd Players ( under Ferguson particularly ) and Liverpool Players (particularly of the 70’s and 80’s ) that showed up for different Countries and “ did not put in all in “ So, its not unheard of for players to not put in all in at international level.

There were a lot of players under those teams who didn't bother showing up for games if they weren't arsed. They didn't show up injured and "look after themselves" by, em, exposing themselves to a risk of injury.

**DeLorean** · 08/09/2020, 8:02 AM

Pretty sure I remember McCarthy being involved in a heavy enough looking 50/50 tackle in the first half against Bulgaria too, just a week after getting injured in a similar collision. Anyway, I really shouldn't be giving this ludicrous theory oxygen by arguing the point.

**Stuttgart88** · 08/09/2020, 11:09 AM

Originally Posted by Diggs246

Fair enough, I didn't know his referenced Jeff as well, so Jeff is off the hook!, its very damning of Conor isn't it though?

Is it really that damning of Hourihane?

**CraftyToePoke** · 08/09/2020, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Pretty sure I remember McCarthy being involved in a heavy enough looking 50/50 tackle in the first half against Bulgaria too, just a week after getting injured in a similar collision. Anyway, I really shouldn't be giving this ludicrous theory oxygen by arguing the point.

Yeah, he was and he knew he was getting hit by committing to it and ended up down. Could have avoided and didn't, risked another injury instead.

**Diggs246** · 08/09/2020, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Is it really that damning of Hourihane?

Damning might be a bit strong. But if I was conor I would be nervous and not expecting to start v Slovakia.

We cant afford pedestrians players. Conor disappears for large parts of the game. Jeff does too but jeff has had some world class moments. I wouldnt play either of them

**Stuttgart88** · 08/09/2020, 12:59 PM

I think his place is on the line alright. I suspect it'll be McCarthy and Hendrick and AN Other, probably Arter, but there's no finesse in there really unless McCarthy really brings his A game. And no set piece threat either, which unfortunately we need. I think we're all a bit in the dark still about what the line up will be.

**Diggs246** · 08/09/2020, 1:13 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I think his place is on the line alright. I suspect it'll be McCarthy and Hendrick and AN Other, probably Arter, but there's no finesse in there really unless McCarthy really brings his A game. And no set piece threat either, which unfortunately we need. I think we're all a bit in the dark still about what the line up will be.

Agreed. Imo we dont have the players for 433 and should be playing 451 ( mcgoldrick in the hole) with a very fast 9

**brine3** · 08/09/2020, 2:43 PM

Yeah. We also have to remember that all teams that pull off 4-3-3 have ball playing centre backs. When the team is in possession the centre-backs essentially function as deep lying midfielders and provide an outlet for possession. It's a form of defending by never losing the ball. Barca 2011 had Pique and Mascherano, Ajax 1995 had Blind and Rijkaard. This is how they were able to dominate centre midfield without playing extra central midfielders: their centre-backs morphed into extra centre midfielders. Mascherano himself was actually a midfielder of course, as was Rijkaard.

We have Duffy and Egan. They are great defenders, but ball playing deep lying midfielders they are not. So we do both them and our midfielders a disservice with 4-3-3. And opposition managers know this.