James McCarthy

[Jamo Martinez]

I'm not saying he's not important. I just don't see his game changing much from this point. Some seem to be under the impression it will because he's young-ish

I get the impression he's the type of player you appreciate more when he's surrounded by top class players

 

[blaggerblue]

FFs can't believe some of the comments here, thought he was brilliant again yesterday, he slipped - fair enough you can't legislate for human error - hardly a comment on ability!

He was superb - he's been brilliant the past month.

Totally agreed ....

 

[Brownie]

This lad was the best player on the pitch tonight for Valencia v Athletic. Ran the show in the second half.

Sorry for going off topic but Browns distracted me with his astute football knowledge.

Was excellent wasn't he, looks to have really come on a lot this year.

 

[steken1]

I get the impression he's the type of player you appreciate more when he's surrounded by top class players

Definitely. In an ideal world he wouldn't have to do too much with the ball. Just keep it moving and get it to the better players.

When our wingers struggle or Ross/Osman go quiet he seems to be on the ball a lot and players are looking for him to do something.

 

[deipnosophist]

He's good but he's overrated by our fans just like Barry, that's not to say they are average... They are good, just not as good as some here like to make out.

Same goes for Gibson.

This

 

[Brennan]

I'm not saying he's not important. I just don't see his game changing much from this point. Some seem to be under the impression it will because he's young-ish

Gareth Barry has changed positions about four times in his career. Gareth Bale went from a fairly gash left back to one of the world's best wide players.

No reason why McCarthy can't improve his attacking play.

 

[chicoazul]

Fuming. I thought you said Barry went into one of the best wide players and was about to go off the top rope on you.

 

[steken1]

Gareth Barry has changed positions about four times in his career. Gareth Bale went from a fairly gash left back to one of the world's best wide players.

No reason why McCarthy can't improve his attacking play.

Barry has played left back and DCM for the vast majority of his career. Both positions require a similar skill set.

Gareth Bale wasn't a 'Fairly Gash' LB either he was the hottest property about and went for silly money at that time. He had a difficult period settling in at Spurs.

Again he wasn't required to develop a whole new skill set.

One of the few who has done it is giggs.

 

[chicoazul]

Ste Ken is taking on all comers tonight. Its like an exhibition to him.

 

[Goat]

Hes playing a dangerous game.

The vaults will be his judge, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday, soon.

 

[steken1]

Hes playing a dangerous game.

The vaults will be his judge, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday, soon.

The games the game yo

 

[Goat]

For real dawg.

 

[Brennan]

Barry has played left back and DCM for the vast majority of his career. Both positions require a similar skill set.

Gareth Bale wasn't a 'Fairly Gash' LB either he was the hottest property about and went for silly money at that time. He had a difficult period settling in at Spurs.

Again he wasn't required to develop a whole new skill set.

One of the few who has done it is giggs.

He was close to being offloaded.

Pretty much everybody involved with McCarthy at a professional level says he has all the ability to improve as an attacking force. I'm curious what it is you've seen that make you think Roy Keane, Martinez etc. are wrong ?

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Definitely. In an ideal world he wouldn't have to do too much with the ball. Just keep it moving and get it to the better players.

When our wingers struggle or Ross/Osman go quiet he seems to be on the ball a lot and players are looking for him to do something.

He should be our Lee Carsley and in that sense he can develop. His reading of the game will get better and If Martinez can get or bring through the players he wants for his system I'm confident we'll have a prized asset on our hands.

 

[steken1]

He was close to being offloaded.

Pretty much everybody involved with McCarthy at a professional level says he has all the ability to improve as an attacking force. I'm curious what it is you've seen that make you think Roy Keane, Martinez etc. are wrong ?

I've seen that vision, finding space in the box and composure are very, very difficult to coach and quite instinctive.

If they where all infintely coachable then every player would have the potential to be great. That isn't the case.

McCarthy has shown he's very coachable by reaching close to the top of his profession but it'll need more than that to develop the next side of his game.

He doesn't play as the defensive midfielder he roams all over the pitch. You need an attacking aspect of your game to do that. 0 goals and 1 or 2 assists isn't the best in that regard. I think we'll see the best of him in front of the back four as Jamo says.

He's 23 and got a lot of experience. So he's not young and his game hasn't really changed too much since he came into the top flight.

That's why I don't see him developing too much further. He's still a good player like.