Season › 2013-14 › News McCarthy enjoying life in Everton's engine room Lyndon Lloyd , 1 November, 0comments | Jump to most recent 22 year-old has become a vital part Everton midfield When James McCarthy arrived from Wigan Athletic on a frantic transfer deadline day at the beginning of September, the biggest talking point was the £13m fee it took to prise him away from the Latics. Two months later, the Irish midfielder is able to talk about the crucial role he plays in Everton's new-look midfield alongside fellow Goodison new-boy, Gareth Barry, one that has demanded perhaps more industry and graft than he was used to under Roberto Martinez at the DW Stadium where he scored seven times in 120 appearances. “I think I'm mainly there to do a job,” he says in The Express. “To sweep up and do the dirty work for the flair players to go and express themselves. We have so many flair players in the side that you give them the ball and you expect something to happen. “If I need to go forward and try and get on the scoresheet I will, but it is difficult at times. If I can help by stopping goals, making passes and getting other players on the ball then I'm happy to do that. I am still young and learning so hopefully I can add goals to my game again.” Indeed, McCarthy recounts how he was more of a goalscorer as a youngster honing his skills with his brothers and local friends on a patch of ground across the road from his Glasgow terraced house. “I pretended to be someone like Henrik Larsson. I was more of a goalscorer back then, but I seem to have lost that goal-scoring touch.” The Republic of Ireland international will turn 23 next month but the Blues' 2-0 win at Aston Villa last Saturday was the 250th appearance of his career, a testament to his importance to the three clubs he has played for since turning professional aged 16 — Hamilton Academical, Wigan and Everton. He remains focused and aware that he is still learning with every game, though, and was quick to hold his hand up following an uncharacteristically poor tackle in the game at Villa Park on Ashley Westwood. “It wasn't a nice tackle,” the Glaswegian confesses. “I had a few text messages that night saying how bad it was, but I knew straight away. I thought I would make the ball and I apologised as soon as I did it. It's not me.” McCarthy and Barry are expected to link up again in the heart of Everton's team against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday for a mouth-watering contest between two top four hopefuls at Goodison Park. Quotes or other material sourced from Daily Express About these ads © ToffeeWeb