James McCarthy

davek · February 5, 2017

4737carlin said:
Which Koeman? The one that could of sold him to Newcastle but always valued him at Everton even though had had been out of the side?
No hopefully Koeman keeps piped up as he is getting is so right now it's hard for some idiots to actually see what a class job he is doing

Yes, Koeman's doing that...<remembers McCarthy's best seasons with Martinez at Wigan and Everton>

davek · February 5, 2017

catcherintherye said:
It looks like McCarthy is trusting his body more to go at full pelt. I also think he and Koeman will have had words and have aired out some grievances on both sides. He was fantastic yesterday, making and scoring goals on top of everything else he does.

The first season he was fantastic for us. For much of the second season he was very good particularly when you consider his injury. Compare our results in that second season with him versus when he was out of the team. There was a marked difference. I always think thats a good indicator of a player.

What I liked about the end of that second season was he was getting forward more. Remember his goal against Manchester United? It was a fantastic old fashioned central midfield goal. I really thought that summer he would pick on into being a proper box to box midfield player who would add 6 or 7 goals a season to his game. The third season though he reverted to just sitting in front of the back 4. Whether this was Martinez's tactics, other players in discipline, lack of trust in others or concerns over his body I am not sure. In truth he is not a good enough footballer to just sit in front of the back 4 doing what Carrick (and Barry/Schneiderlin do).

Anyway it's great to see him getting back to his best. I think given the quality we have in that area we need to move away from the idea that players will play every game. Clearly there will need to be rotation of personnel and systems to allow people to get game time. Perhaps more importantly (specifically for McCarthy) it will allow sufficient rest periods for people to be performing at their best. I still think McCarthy has a big role to play in fixtures against the other top 6 sides in the division in a similar way to how Fergusan used Darren Fletcher.

I hope thats enough to keep McCarthy happy. I am not sure he will be ahead of Davies long term, bit he can be an important squad player in a side that could well be in the champions league, which should be his aspiration.

Right now I put him second in terms of best in CM positions we have behind Gueye.

I know they differ in style a bit but the current pecking order is, for me:
Gueye
McCarthy
Davies
Barry
Schneiderlin (which obviously changes a bit if he makes an impact)

That has to be blended into two starters for me though as i hate seeing three on the pitch at the one time, its coward's football to have three deep lying midfielders in the centre of the park. I'd go with Gueye/Davies or McCarthy/Davies. Either would be a good blend. Gueye plus McCarthy is a no go, imo.

Amw79 · February 5, 2017

Got to say, I got it wrong on JM. Great in his first season, but think our overall poor form in the next 2 maybe clouded my judgement on him.

Looked very good yesterday, Prefer him a bit higher up the pitch winning it back in places where we can do some damage.

Still have a concern over his fitness though

4737carlin · February 5, 2017

davek said:
Right now I put him second in terms of best in CM positions we have behind Gueye.

I know they differ in style a bit but the current pecking order is, for me:
Gueye
McCarthy
Davies
Barry
Schneiderlin (which obviously changes a bit if he makes an impact)

That has to be blended into two starters for me though as i hate seeing three on the pitch at the one time, its coward's football to have three deep lying midfielders in the centre of the park. I'd go with Gueye/Davies or McCarthy/Davies. Either would be a good blend. Gueye plus McCarthy is a no go, imo.

Yeah but let's face it, you would probably have Alcaraz before Williams and Kone before Lookmam based solely on who bought them, such is you're delusion

davek · February 5, 2017

Amw79 said:
Got to say, I got it wrong on JM. Great in his first season, but think our overall poor form in the next 2 maybe clouded my judgement on him.

Looked very good yesterday, Prefer him a bit higher up the pitch winning it back in places where we can do some damage.

Still have a concern over his fitness though

Form and fitness go together for players who's game is all about ground coverage. That's why those slating him have been so clueless in their attacks and so easy to repel when fitness returned. I note they dont seem to want to comment so much now about McCarthy.

Long may his good form continue.

Goat · February 5, 2017

davek said:
Right now I put him second in terms of best in CM positions we have behind Gueye.

I know they differ in style a bit but the current pecking order is, for me:
Gueye
McCarthy
Davies
Barry
Schneiderlin (which obviously changes a bit if he makes an impact)

That has to be blended into two starters for me though as i hate seeing three on the pitch at the one time, its coward's football to have three deep lying midfielders in the centre of the park. I'd go with Gueye/Davies or McCarthy/Davies. Either would be a good blend. Gueye plus McCarthy is a no go, imo.

lollollollollollollol

Putting Morgs last, you utter CLOWN.

Amw79 · February 5, 2017

davek said:
Form and fitness go together for players who's game is all about ground coverage. That's why those slating him have been so clueless in their attacks and so easy to repel when fitness returned. I note they dont seem to want to comment so much now about McCarthy.

Long may his good form continue.

Yeah defo, I've never been a big slater of him (I don't think), but certainly wouldn't have been too bothered if he had left in January, considering our other options.

As I said though, if he keeps missing a few games, then it takes a few more to get his form back, there's a judgement to make on whether you can keep someone who will only be available / match fit for potentially half your season. I think the same of Besic really, a good player, but no good having a good player for only 10 games a year.

Hope I'm wrong and he (JM) keeps fit, as would give Koeman a selection headache, and more importantly offer different options/combinations.

davek · February 5, 2017

MorgsGoat said:
lollollollollollollol

Putting Morgs last, you utter CLOWN.

I qualified that. I notice you didn't ask where Besic was...you've spurned that lad.

Goat · February 5, 2017

davek said:
I qualified that. I notice you didn't ask where Besic was...you've spurned that lad.

You said current pecking order, Mo is still a week away from joining the group for training.

davek · February 5, 2017

Amw79 said:
Yeah defo, I've never been a big slater of him (I don't think), but certainly wouldn't have been too bothered if he had left in January, considering our other options.

As I said though, if he keeps missing a few games, then it takes a few more to get his form back, there's a judgement to make on whether you can keep someone who will only be available / match fit for potentially half your season. I think the same of Besic really, a good player, but no good having a good player for only 10 games a year.

Hope I'm wrong and he (JM) keeps fit, as would give Koeman a selection headache, and more importantly offer different options/combinations.

As I said umpteen times: spending £25M on another CM was not a wise move when we need reinforcements in more advanced positions. Imagine if Lukaku got an injury? May as well pack up.

I think I was 100% correct on that call.

davek · February 5, 2017

MorgsGoat said:
You said current pecking order, Mo is still a week away from joining the group for training.

...and will you change your avatar and username back then?

Amw79 · February 5, 2017

davek said:
As I said umpteen times: spending £25M on another CM was not a wise move when we need reinforcements in more advanced positions. Imagine if Lukaku got an injury? May as well pack up.

I think I was 100% correct on that call.

Disagree there mate. We definitely should have got reinforcement for Rom - no question. But that doesn't stop you getting players in elsewhere. If good players are available, and will improve you - get them in. Morgan is the Barry replacement, and offers different things than our other CMs.

But your point on Rom is sound, puzzling why we didn't get anyone in. Lack of availability of the required quality?

Goat · February 5, 2017

davek said:
...and will you change your avatar and username back then?

Erm, ive already changed my avatar back to Mo already.

And my username was Moutinho, he aint ever coming Dave.

BlueToff · February 5, 2017

McCarthy plays like he does the other day, he'll be a regular and very important.

I reckon Koeman sees him as playing the same kind of role that Davis did under him at Saints.

A box-to-box player to set the pressing game and help out at both ends of the pitch.

Our midfield options are currently BOSS

Thomasc · February 5, 2017

BlueToff said:
McCarthy plays like he does the other day, he'll be a regular and very important.

I reckon Koeman sees him as playing the same kind of role that Davis did under him at Saints.

A box-to-box player to set the pressing game and help out at both ends of the pitch.

Our midfield options are currently BOSS

Don't think he's as good as Davis, think he'll be pushed out by better quality and wouldn't be surprised if that's not far away with Gana, Schneiderlin and Davies being first choice.