James McCarthy
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diggerdestroyer
Player Valuation: £40m
I dont think anyone can argue that mccarthy when fully fit adds something that our midfield doesnt have. A bit if snide and enegry. People complain that he isnt great with the ball. He doesnt find enough quality passes. But thats not his game. His game is off the ball. Closing down players. Tackles. Enegry. Comes in useful for any team. I think he would do a great job in number 6 role ahead of snides. Leave the other 2 in midfield have the duties to find the passes. He will cover them. But all the above maybe pointless due to being able to remain fit.
Cut off all contact with Martin O'Neill and he'll be fine
His first season here he was every bit as good as Gana. And he can pass a ball more than 5 yards.
Injury is his issue
mightymoyes
Player Valuation: £70m
Another player that has improved massively while out injured.
Sell as soon as he's able to pass a medical elsewhere
Sell as soon as he's able to pass a medical elsewhere
Eggsyblueskin
Player Valuation: £40m
As long as that 5 yards is sideways or backwards like.
everton1953
Player Valuation: £40m
For maybe nostalgic reasons or sheer unfamiliarity with a player who hardly plays, I am telling myself he was one of the better ones. Or is that balmy?
catcherintherye
Player Valuation: £80m
He's become an injury prone player, but I do think it's a tad harsh to blame the broken leg on him being injury prone. That could have happened to even the fittest player with an unblemished record.
I remember @Eggs pointing out he had issues with him hamstring and I agree with this. This is the big question for me too. I think he needs to play at a certain tempo to be an effective footballer and I worry that his hamstring injury will never allow that to occur. He seemed to play within himself for a long time (which coincided with his form dipping) and partly was because I believe he was carrying (and worsening) an injury and then part of it was due to lack of trust in his body.
One positive with a leg break and what has been a prolonged absence really for 2 years is he may have been able to go away and get his body right and fully re-strengthen/re-condition the muscle area. That has to be the hope.
McCarthy at his best, the player we saw in Martinez's first season or sporadically over the last 2 years walks into our midfield. He gets around the pitch well, can pass, can take the ball forward but most importantly has a good football brain without the ball so is adept at pressing opponents in the right way.
He is also a leader and relishes big games. I remember last season against United when they had a training match, and Pogba was majestic and dominated the game. McCarthy came on with about 20 minutes to go and flattened him with what was quite a naughty tackle (but because he has a football brain he got away with it) and it changed the whole dynamic of the match. The crowd was up, suddenly our players had a bit of a go. It hit me that McCarthy doesn't go into his shell at such moments, but he relishes them and has a real chip on his shoulder. With the exception of Pickford and Coleman thats really missing in this squad. The same was true the season before against Liverpool and Arsenal where he was fantastic ion both games.
The question is can he get back to that regularly. Hopefully with Martinez gone and expert medical advice they have taken the time to sort out many of the underlying issues around his fitness while the time he's been off with the leg break.
I remember @Eggs pointing out he had issues with him hamstring and I agree with this. This is the big question for me too. I think he needs to play at a certain tempo to be an effective footballer and I worry that his hamstring injury will never allow that to occur. He seemed to play within himself for a long time (which coincided with his form dipping) and partly was because I believe he was carrying (and worsening) an injury and then part of it was due to lack of trust in his body.
One positive with a leg break and what has been a prolonged absence really for 2 years is he may have been able to go away and get his body right and fully re-strengthen/re-condition the muscle area. That has to be the hope.
McCarthy at his best, the player we saw in Martinez's first season or sporadically over the last 2 years walks into our midfield. He gets around the pitch well, can pass, can take the ball forward but most importantly has a good football brain without the ball so is adept at pressing opponents in the right way.
He is also a leader and relishes big games. I remember last season against United when they had a training match, and Pogba was majestic and dominated the game. McCarthy came on with about 20 minutes to go and flattened him with what was quite a naughty tackle (but because he has a football brain he got away with it) and it changed the whole dynamic of the match. The crowd was up, suddenly our players had a bit of a go. It hit me that McCarthy doesn't go into his shell at such moments, but he relishes them and has a real chip on his shoulder. With the exception of Pickford and Coleman thats really missing in this squad. The same was true the season before against Liverpool and Arsenal where he was fantastic ion both games.
The question is can he get back to that regularly. Hopefully with Martinez gone and expert medical advice they have taken the time to sort out many of the underlying issues around his fitness while the time he's been off with the leg break.
I completely agree.
everton1953
Player Valuation: £40m
You are clearly a Gana fan. He has too many limitations for me to get enthusiastic about him. Hard worker, yes so am I.
No mate, you're absolutely right.
Balmy no , barmy yes
PeregrineT
Player Valuation: £40m
Are you okay? What in the world are you on about?
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