McCarthy needs to rule the roost

, 4 September, 17comments  |  Jump to most recent
Former Republic of Ireland manager John Giles is full of praise for James McCarthy's ability but wonders whether Everton's midfield linchpin has the mentality to grow into a leader on the field:

"“He has the ability which is one thing,” he said. “The mind is a different thing altogether. He has to impose himself more I think. But all lads are different and he might have a mentality where he thinks ‘I don’t want to do that’."

» Read the full article at Irish Times



Reader Comments (17)

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Harold Matthews
2 Posted 04/09/2014 at 23:33:59
The dedication hint is probably aimed at McCarthy, who returned from the summer break with a double chin. One of my favourites, James definitely needs to do a bit more than working hard and tackling. There again, we don't know his orders.

It's unusual for someone with the knowledge and experience of Johnny Giles to put something like this in the public eye....unless it was a roundabout whisper to Martinez.

John Daley
3 Posted 05/09/2014 at 02:12:01
"It's unusual for someone with the knowledge and experience of Johnny Giles to put something like this in the public eye"

Sorry, but it's not that unusual Harold....

"Former Manchester United and Leeds hard man Johnny Giles has labelled Robin van Persie "a prat" on live tv, claiming "he didn't try at all" during Champions League game against Olympiakos".

Also, does he really imply a lack of 'dedication' on McCarthy's part? He offers his opinion (and it's nothing more than that) that he believes McCarthy doesn't take enough responsibility during a game, isn't vocal enough and sometimes let's the play pass him by. He never suggests he's a slacker or unprofessional in any way, shape or form.

To be honest, a lot of what he says is trite shite:

"if you're on the ball as a fullback, you can't think of everything. You don't know if I'm in a good position because your mind is occupied with doing something else. If you shout your name loud, you get all that stuff out of your head and that's demanding the ball. With McCarthy I don't think he says anything."

So basically, to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, he needs to scramble around screaming his own name at the top of his voice so that Seamus Coleman doesn't has to "think of everything"?

Harold Matthews
4 Posted 05/09/2014 at 03:19:51
Yes John, I know where you're coming from. Half the article was incoherent to say the least. Giles does tend to mouth off a bit but I was surprised he did it with one of his own players. Maybe I was looking into things a little too deeply but he was implying that some players are more dedicated than others and as he was discussing McCarthy, I took this as a hint.

From a personal point of view, I think the lad will have a good season.

Ajay Gopal
5 Posted 05/09/2014 at 04:38:31
Although I am a big fan of McCarthy, I think he is not performing to his full potential. I get the feeling that he is holding something back - whether that is due to his own personality or under instructions from RM or the coaching staff, I don't know. He puts in solid 7-8 (out of 10) performances all season long, but he hasn't shown that bit of magic that can change the course of a game - that brilliant tackle, or that through ball to set-up a goal. But then again, may be if he got that into his locker as well, the Top 10 clubs of the world will be on to him like a rash.
Brian Hill
6 Posted 05/09/2014 at 06:57:59
Ajay, he already plays for THE top club in the world. Where else could he go? (I know, I know...)
James Hughes
7 Posted 05/09/2014 at 07:08:07
So Ajay, playing Devil’s Advocate here, are you saying we should accept sub-standard performances so we can keep him?

I want him to play his best and Real Madrid banging on our door with a Gareth Bale type offer. The money would be useful and Bill needs a hot tub!!

Peter Murray
8 Posted 05/09/2014 at 08:06:35
The niggling about another Everton player has now started. Are we getting bored with Jags and Distin as targets?

Every player has his strengths and weaknesses. James is a young lad learning his trade.

The last midfielder we had who could open tight defences in an instant was Arteta. We need another.

Sam Hoare
9 Posted 05/09/2014 at 08:27:30
I think he definitely takes responsibility defensively and covers huge amount of ground with no little intensity but do agree he does not perhaps do enough with the ball.

He often chooses the safer pass and it is usually Barry who plays the more incisive forward ball. James has the ability to beat a man and play defense splitting balls but perhaps lacks a little confidence on the ball. Take some of Besic's and then they should both have the right amount!

Michael Penley
10 Posted 05/09/2014 at 08:30:44
A drunken rant if I've ever heard one. Why would McCarthy need to demand the ball? His role is to get it off the opposition and give it to team-mates.
Brian Harrison
11 Posted 05/09/2014 at 09:30:12
I have to agree that for me McCarthy doesn't do enough when in possession, again as someone has already said is that because of RMs instructions. I seem to remember in his earliest games he reminded me of Paul Bracewell someone who could get from box to box, but of late McCarthy hardly gets into the oppositions half.

He plays a similar role as to what Henderson does for Liverpool, and he is quite often making runs into the box, something I think McCarthy should be encouraged to do for us.

Andrew Ellams
12 Posted 05/09/2014 at 09:42:18
He made more forward runs at Wigan but that was generally as part of a central 3 which meant he didn't leave them as exposed when went forward as he would Barry now.

I'm not sure if that is the reason, but a middle 3 of Barry, McCarthy and Besic/Gibson may well free James that little bit more to do what he did so well for Wigan.

Shane Corcoran
13 Posted 05/09/2014 at 09:51:23
This isn’t a rant by Giles. Giles has made this point over the years about many players, a young Roy Keane being one.

Giles sees the midfield as being the most important position on the pitch and the only place that a game can be dictated from. He thinks all central midfielders need to take the game from the centre backs or full-backs and dictate the game from there. You can disagree with him on it but it’s his consistent view.

With Barkely in the team and with Barry dropping so far back it could be argued that Martinez doesn’t see that role as being McCarthy’s but I agree with Giles that for Ireland he hasn’t done it when it is needed it from him.

Having said that, he’s played most of his international career under Trapattoni who had no desire for a ball-playing midfielder so all he had to do was defend and follow the ball as it floated over his head.

Under O’Neill, and at 23 years of age, McCarthy now has his first real chance to establish himself and do was Giles is asking off him.

Derek Knox
14 Posted 05/09/2014 at 11:03:39
I don't know if it's me, but having said that, Ajay indicated the same, I get the impression that despite the fact he has had a decent pre-season in training terms. His performances thus far have been but a mere shadow of last year's.

It's difficult to assess from our perspective, how much transfer speculation, affects a player's psyche, because James was constantly being mentioned for Manure and Spurs etc. He just hasn't really been at the races, and tends to disappear in games.

I can also say the same with a more lasting effect on Baines when he was constantly being linked with Manure. Quite frankly apart from all too brief glimpses, he again does not look the player we have known and loved.

Mike Green
15 Posted 05/09/2014 at 11:17:51
Derek Knox #14 'I can also say the same with a more lasting effect on Baines when he was constantly being linked with Manure. Quite frankly apart from all too brief glimpses, he again does not look the player we have known and loved.'

Completely agree. His performances aren't quite what they were since then and becoming first choice left back for England, almost feels like he's resting on his laurels.....?

Dave Abrahams
16 Posted 05/09/2014 at 11:25:54
I definitely think not having a new long term contract sorted out is most certainly having an effect on McCarthy’s form.

Everton promised to review his contract after one full season and this has not been done. His agent has asked Everton to give him the improved contract.

Tony J Williams
17 Posted 05/09/2014 at 11:54:14
I think too that he isn't fully fit.

The game against Arsenal showed that, he was knackered and had taken a hit but wasn't brought off.

The same with Chelsea, he wasn't tracking his man anywhere near enough, yet wasn't taken off.

Trevor Lynes
18 Posted 05/09/2014 at 16:47:21
Anyone who ever saw him play would know that he was a brilliant player in the Kay/Ball mould but really nasty. He was the worst of a dirty Leeds side of that era.

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