James McCarthy

[Thuck ma Baws]

Thought his forward passing and 'getting forward' was quite good when the game allowed it on Sunday.
Suppose you could argue that he should take more risks and gamble more, but is that really what you want from a defensive midfielder?

I don't want him to gamble, and I agree that he's improving on getting forward and trying to create. Don't think I'm having a go at him, he's good at what he does. The fact that we consider him getting forward and trying to create things as a gamble for him though speaks volumes. It's only a gamble for a player if it takes them out of their comfort zone and the top teams have midfielders, even defensive ones, who can comfortably create things and drive forward.

 

[Raino85]

I don't want him to gamble, and I agree that he's improving on getting forward and trying to create. Don't think I'm having a go at him, he's good at what he does. The fact that we consider him getting forward and trying to create things as a gamble for him though speaks volumes. It's only a gamble for a player if it takes them out of their comfort zone and the top teams have midfielders, even defensive ones, who can comfortably create things and drive forward.

Such as?

 

[SpurtingLesbian]

I don't want him to gamble, and I agree that he's improving on getting forward and trying to create. Don't think I'm having a go at him, he's good at what he does. The fact that we consider him getting forward and trying to create things as a gamble for him though speaks volumes. It's only a gamble for a player if it takes them out of their comfort zone and the top teams have midfielders, even defensive ones, who can comfortably create things and drive forward.

I was thinking more of it being a positional gamble. If the move breaks down then he's out of position for their counter.
Being the 'nippy destroyer' in the team he's usually the one mopping up/slowing the counters. Him getting forward more might leave us exposed at times if there is a quick turnover. If there's somebody else covering him then fine but he's usually the one covering, not being covered.

 

[SPOTTER]

I don't want him to gamble, and I agree that he's improving on getting forward and trying to create. Don't think I'm having a go at him, he's good at what he does. The fact that we consider him getting forward and trying to create things as a gamble for him though speaks volumes. It's only a gamble for a player if it takes them out of their comfort zone and the top teams have midfielders, even defensive ones, who can comfortably create things and drive forward.

His role is defensive mid.he does this job amazingly well and that's why other big teams would love him in their team.if he managed to do this AND become awesome attacking he would be the most wanted player on the planet.appreciate him for the role he has.on the occasions he does get license to attack he ain't brilliant but he ain't that bad either.

 

[oldblue]

I was thinking more of it being a positional gamble. If the move breaks down then he's out of position for their counter.
Being the 'nippy destroyer' in the team he's usually the one mopping up the counters. Him getting forward more might leave us exposed at times if there is a quick turnover. If there's somebody else covering him then fine but he's usually the one covering, not being covered.

This is why I think he probably is never going to be fully appreciated in some ways. If we tended to be on the back foot in games he was charging around tackling then we'd notice him more. To be honest even Barry's reading of the game when we don't have the ball is more eye catching. But a player watching where the gaps are when we are in possession will go largely unnoticed.
We aren't a team full of terrier like players in any position so it's a thankless task and we don't seem to concede many from counter attacks. No stats on that obviously.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

He needs to grow his game. He certainly hasn't been as bad as people have said, but he needs to offer more in terms of buildup play.

 

[oldblue]

He needs to grow his game. He certainly hasn't been as bad as people have said, but he needs to offer more in terms of buildup play.

I think his game is all there. With four players usually on the pitch to provide attacking options, one or two full backs whose main strength is pushing on and a ball playing centre half, then just giving them freedom is a massive role.
He can clearly pass a ball so really don't know what else is required.
I'd ask Rom, Ross, Del and Coleman if he needs to do more.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

I think his game is all there. With four players usually on the pitch to provide attacking options, one or two full backs whose main strength is pushing on and a ball playing centre half, then just giving them freedom is a massive role.
He can clearly pass a ball so really don't know what else is required.
I'd ask Rom, Ross, Del and Coleman if he needs to do more.

He isn't a good facilitator every game though. Most of the top holding mids are great facilitators and playmakers as well as ball hawks. McCarthy's first season was very promising, but he hasn't improved enough to remove Barry from the team completely. I think he will get it together because he has the tools to do so, but he is somewhat limited as of right now.

 

[Robertor]

I think this is one of the most annoying arguments in football 'you just don't understand what he does'. I do, but I don't think he's as good at it as some people think.

If he's there to do Barry's running, why does barry often cover more ground? If he's there to cover the fullback, why do we get exposed down the flanks so often?

I Don't think he's useless, but I think he's massively overrated by many fans.

It's not about understanding or not understanding the role per se, I worded that wrong. It's about looking at other players in the Premier League or other leagues and thinking who would do it better, there's not many. His role needs to be valued more was the point I was trying to make.

The stats say Barry covers more ground per match, but they also say that Ozil has covered the most ground in the Premier League this season and you and I know that he isn't necessarily a hard working player. Barry's running is generally sideways in front of the back four, when I say McCarthy does his running for him I don't mean to say that he makes up for Barry's lack of running, just that it's for a different purpose which is generally to win the ball back once we've lost it.

 

[Fresh Prince of Belle Val]

Good work crocking Payet. Capital idea.

 

[Fearthainn]

Good work crocking Payet. Capital idea.

His replacement is probably nailed on to score their winner now

 

[Huyton Layne]

Drawn to the ball like a child when the West Ham player had two men on him, ball breaks and Lanzini is in acres of space. Not fully responsible by any means but gets partial credit for having another poor game.

 

[Joey66]

Drawn to the ball like a child when the West Ham player had two men on him, ball breaks and Lanzini is in acres of space. Not fully responsible by any means but gets partial credit for having another poor game.

That goal although well executed was a bit lucky in the lay off it hit Andy Carrol on the shin and fell luckily lovely for them all that exposure came about from RB taking a short corner!

 

[hetion]

Some more good quick forward balls today. Getting far too much stick from fans

 

[Deleted member 28206]

CANT PASS CANT TACKLE SELL HIM