James McCarthy

[orly]

*chalks another successful prediction up to the 2013 Orly

 

[Saint Domingo]

Average. Why do people think this kid is good enough when he can't pass it forward under any sort of pressure?

 

[ToffeeDoug]

Very good at the few things he does well. Very average at everything else.

Just ahead of their second goal today, when we had the ball and were attacking, he just couldn't trust himself, or didn't have the ability, to keep the move going forward and opted instead for the usual sideways and backwards bollox.

 

[evertony]

He was really poor today, as was Besic in the midfield. If anyone can't see how we miss Barry I'm amazed. I do think Besic will,be his replacement and to be fair to Mo it's his first poor game today.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Don't get me wrong I'm a still a fan of james, but this season he has been largely woeful and needs to sort himself out.

 

[kithnou]

No, was one of our best players last weekend.

Still not good enough for a top 4 team.

 

[Minimeister]

Strange, you can see the mentality of certain footballers. McCarthy would rather go back into traffic for a more difficult pass than look forward. Not saying he's the only one, most of them do. Yet you get lads like Gibson and Cleverley who have come through the United ranks and their first thought is to move the ball forward. All in the name of keeping possession I guess but hardly makes for winning football.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Still not good enough for a top 4 team.

On form personally think he is, he was certainly a large part of why we got 5th in his first season.

Whether that was just a one off or his injuries have taken their toll don't know but will agree he has been erratic the past couple of seasons - seen him boss games one week and then be poor the next although he had a good spell in the final weeks of 14/15

Given we'll have to replace Barry soon, plus Gibson and Osman, think even if you don't rate him that highly there are other areas that need looking at before you'd move him on and get a replacement.

 

[Stutheblue]

has he actually got a forward pass in him? repeatedly slows us down, loses momentum, over rated as a footballer, great as a tackler

This all over. A central midfielder who doesn't really pass it forward (very very rare if he does). So if he's not breaking up play or protecting the back four (this season would suggest not) he needs a 'rest'. Gareth Barry may be slow and getting on a bit but he can pass a ball. Was bypassed far too often today.

 

[kithnou]

On form personally think he is, he was certainly a large part of why we got 5th in his first season.

Whether that was just a one off or his injuries have taken their toll don't know but will agree he has been erratic the past couple of seasons - seen him boss games one week and then be poor the next although he had a good spell in the final weeks of 14/15

Given we'll have to replace Barry soon, plus Gibson and Osman, think even if you don't rate him that highly there are other areas that need looking at before you'd move him on and get a replacement.

I'll agree with you on that.

 

[ToffeeDoug]

Don't get me wrong I'm a still a fan of james, but this season he has been largely woeful and needs to sort himself out.

Last season wasn't too clever for him either.

 

[ftk43]

I believe he'll come good again, there's too much trouble for us if he doesn't.

 

[Number_25]

Come off the boil a bit in recent times.

No doubting his quality though.

 

[Paulie]

I've said it for ages he is a pure and utter anti-football crab. [Poor language removed] spoiler with no football brain. We need better.

 

[rochdaleblue]

Mccarthy's form mirrors that of the majority of the team. First season here he was excellent, lacklustre for the majority of last season and injury has hindered his performances this season.