Today's Irish Independent....
http://www.independent.ie/sport/soc...y-be-good-news-for-ireland-fans-35425797.html
Is James McCarthy starting to benefit from some tough love? That was the lingering Irish question from the Premier League weekend, after the 26-year-old marked his return to Everton's starting XI by contributing a goal and an assist in a chaotic 6-3 win over Bournemouth.
Ronald Koeman suggested last week that McCarthy still had a future at the club, detailing how they had rejected a move from Newcastle to sign him during the January transfer window.
However, there appeared to be enough evidence from the season to date to treat the Dutchman's comments with some scepticism.
Much as injury issues and the 'club v country' row involving Koeman and Martin O'Neill didn't help the Glaswegian before Christmas, it was clear that his new boss did not view him as an automatic starter.
That was a contrast from his comfortable position under Roberto Martinez. When Koeman worked hard to renew his association with Morgan Schneiderlin last month, the writing looked to be on the wall - hence Newcastle's attempts to test Everton's resolve with a £15m bid.
However, Koeman decided there was room for McCarthy in his plans and a successful recovery from his most recent spell on the sidelines has led to a jump up the pecking order. He was introduced as a half-time sub at Stoke in midweek and restored to the side for Saturday.
Granted, Idrissa Gueye's spell away at the African Cup of Nations has halted his momentum, yet it was noticeable that Koeman found room for Gareth Barry, Schneiderlin and McCarthy in the same formation at Goodison Park.
Martinez often spoke about the need for his protege to improve going forward, but the former Hamilton and Wigan man was mostly cast as a defensive operator.
A return of five goals in 100 league appearances for Everton before Saturday tells its own story, but Koeman has trialled the player in a more advanced position and, while there was an element of fortune in his goal, a clever touch for the first of Romelu Lukaku's four goals demonstrated that he can be creative.
McCarthy has always been a good athlete and he timed his run well for his own strike, benefiting from a favourable ricochet when his original attempt was blocked.
If he can hone that side of his game under Koeman then it will really benefit his development. He may have to if he wants to stay in his side.
He succeeded in outshining Harry Arter, who came back into Bournemouth's team and succeeded in getting off the mark for the season in the dying stages.
But the afternoon belonged to the hosts and, in a break from the norm this term, McCarthy was the pick of the Irish players in action in the top flight across the weekend.
