McCarthy should have gone out on loan

Friday, 15 March, 2019 58comments  |  Jump to most recent

Ireland Manager Mick McCarthy is concerned that one of his best players James McCarthy has had no playing time at all since fully recovering from a broken leg.

The Ireland International has been in training since September after he sustained a horrible double compound fracture of his lower right leg in a challenge with striker Salomon Rondon during a match against West Brom at Goodison Park in January 2018.

But despite being fully fit and getting on the first-team bench this year, he has not had any game time and Mick McCarthy expressed frustration that the player did not go out on loan in January to any of at least three Championship clubs that rumoured to be interested in him.

McCarthy said: “He has not played, he has not been playing games. I am concerned that we have not got one of our best players available because he is not playing. I hoped he would go out on loan in January.

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“We did speak about it and for whatever reason he didn't. I told him to go and get a Championship club because I don't need to see him play in the Premier League. I told him he is a very good player and he needs to be playing games.

“James has not played enough. I wanted to ask James to come and train with us this week but his wife gave birth the other day so he is having a few days off. I wouldn't be breaking that off if my wife had just had a baby, so I said ‘congratulations' and nothing else.”

 

Reader Comments (58)

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Frank Wade
1 Posted 15/03/2019 at 14:52:01
Strange that he hasn't featured in the u23 team to help him regain his confidence and fitness.
Eddie Dunn
2 Posted 15/03/2019 at 15:09:16
Frank- my thoughts too, it makes one wonder whether Silva thinks he is physically not ready or if he simply doesn't rate him.
Either way it must be frustrating for James and surely with our performances this season there will have been a few occasions where he could have got some minutes under his belt.
Kase Chow
4 Posted 15/03/2019 at 15:33:48
Limited player

Doesn’t score goals
Doesn’t create

Won’t move us forward particularly

Robert Leigh
5 Posted 15/03/2019 at 15:42:14
I think the reason he hasn't played any games is that he's lacked a full, injury free season since 2013/14!

A few months training at full intensity, maybe a few minutes towards the end of the season then a full preseason and hopefully he'll be ready to play 30+ games in 2019/20.

Given the uncertainty around Gana Gueye I think this is the right decision for Everton - and maybe the boy himself.

Christy Ring
6 Posted 15/03/2019 at 15:50:42
What I find baffling is, he's fully fit since early November, 10 months since his horrific injury, has had no match practice with the U23s to get him up to speed. Silva wouldn't allow him to go on loan in January, had him on the bench for 3 games, and dropped him off the panel and brought back Schneiderlin. I'd say James is totally frustrated, and will probably leave in the summer.
Sean Kelly
7 Posted 15/03/2019 at 15:51:40
A James McCarthy with one leg would have been better than Schneiderlin or Tom Davies with an armband. Jesus wept!
Paul Birmingham
8 Posted 15/03/2019 at 16:00:07
For me if he's fit in his body and mind and 100% capable, I'd have in the squad every week.

I just hope that he's not impacted like in Inchy was, after that dirty rat Marwood done him, basically finished Inchy's ability to perform.

He's been jinxed by injury, but taking the advice of the Everton club doctor, whom hopefully has signed off a clean bill of health for James.

Jim Bennings
9 Posted 15/03/2019 at 16:37:17
A fully fit McCarthy would be a far better option than some of what has been used there in the last three months.

The imperative word being “fit”.

McCarthy of 2013-15 was aggressive, quick at covering ground and the most energetic midfielder in the squad.

McCarthy of 2019 however remains to be seen as he seems AWOL these days.

Peter Fearon
10 Posted 15/03/2019 at 16:39:09
The really amazing thing about this story is that the man Ireland wants to field in an international match is injury prone, hasn't played for ages, and may or may not have fully recovered (in a match sense) from a horribly broken leg. There are no better choices for Ireland?
Kevin O'Regan
11 Posted 15/03/2019 at 16:42:24
Uncle Mick certainly has a point there. Would love to see James back playing regularly – I'm sure Marco was keeping him in cotton wool for the cup matches in the coming months... great plan.

@ Peter (10) ... sadly no better midfielders by a long shot in the ROI squad.

Michael Kenrick
12 Posted 15/03/2019 at 17:28:21
Christy @6, minor correction: McCarthy played one game for the U23s, back in October, so 4½ months ago. I can't understand why he has not played more.
Phil (Kelsall) Roberts
13 Posted 15/03/2019 at 17:35:23
Biggest comment? The picture of him on the link from the main page to this thread.

Either TW Towers is getting lazy or we do not have a photo of him in a SportPesa shirt. When did they take over from Chang?

Neil Cremin
14 Posted 15/03/2019 at 17:41:50
Glad to see only one detractor for a change. Does anybody have stats on Everton FC record with and without McCarthy to verify Kase #4 comment.
Mike Gaynes
15 Posted 15/03/2019 at 18:03:43
Michael #12 and Christy #6, the thing is, we don't know how Macca fared after that one game or subsequent practices. So we don't actually know if he's "fully fit" or close to it.

Full recovery from a double leg break is generally a two-year process (as we saw with Coleman, Oviedo and before that Barkley), so 14 months would be extraordinarily fast.

Michael Lynch
16 Posted 15/03/2019 at 18:14:01
Only one year left on his contract at the end of the season. I would be surprised if he's still at the club in August.
Dave Abrahams
17 Posted 15/03/2019 at 18:20:22
James also played for about 20 minutes in the game against Gor Mahia in November. He created a goal, although the match was low key, and he hasn't been seen on the pitch since. Very strange... but I like to think that McCarthy's career at Everton isn't over.
Christy Ring
18 Posted 15/03/2019 at 18:59:29
Mike @15 I know where you're coming from, but to make the bench for 3 games lately, he must be fit, and to drop him for Schneiderlin stinks.
Drew O'Neall
19 Posted 15/03/2019 at 19:10:11
He’s unreliable and presumably management are putting pressure on him to move on.

Good luck to him at his next club.

John Keating
20 Posted 15/03/2019 at 19:23:41
Strange one. As mentioned he's been on the bench so must be very close to fitness. Not featured in the U23s to get some match fitness? We've been desperate in midfield so why not give him a go?

To me, it appears political. Silva must not rate him but, that being the case, why not play him or bring him on to put him in the window?

Like so many things this season, a mystery...

Bill Gienapp
21 Posted 15/03/2019 at 19:38:00
Some like to act as if McCarthy's some sort of secret weapon who's being tragically unutilized, but, more realistically, I'm guessing he's about as relevant to the first-team picture as Bolasie, Mirallas or Ashley Williams at the moment.

Yeah, Silva stuck him on the bench a few times, but there was clearly zero intention to play him.

It would be worth giving him a crack over these final matches, just to see what he has left in the tank... but, given that he hasn't contributed consistently since Martinez's first season, I'm not holding my breath.

Jimmy Hogan
22 Posted 15/03/2019 at 19:43:51
It says a lot that one of Ireland's most valuable players can't even make our bench.
Mike Berry
23 Posted 15/03/2019 at 19:57:08
His covering always made Coleman look good. Better than Schneiderlin... at least he liked a nibble. Is it baby out with the bath water again?
Gerry Ring
24 Posted 15/03/2019 at 20:01:28
The situation with McCarthy is a stunning example of how inept Silva is.

Silva declared that McCarthy was fit in December (but obviously not match fit). So you get match fit by playing games. It's an absolute disgrace that an effort has not been made to get him games.

The Milwall game was an obvious one. We are crying out for an aggressive defensive midfielder and Silva won't bother his arse to get McCarthy match fit. We have Gomes playing at this point, who we know is extremely unlikely to sign.

Gana wants out too and we have a quality midfielder getting well paid to “sit at home” watching his team. To me, it sums up Silva: inept and “making it up as he goes along”.

As for the press conferences! What's the point? The questions must obviously be vetted or they wouldn't be so stupid! Why isn't a question asked about McCarthy or Tom Davies? Who cares about “the significance of getting a point from Chelsea last time out"? Shocking stuff.

Phil Sammon
25 Posted 15/03/2019 at 20:29:18
If Mick wants to blame someone for McCarthy's current situation, then he need look no further than his predecessors.
Rob Marsh
26 Posted 15/03/2019 at 20:43:06
A fully fit and in-form James McCarthy is as good as Gana Gueye defensively, but with the ability to carry the ball forward from defense.
Charles McCann
27 Posted 15/03/2019 at 20:48:03
Excellent post, Gerry @24. I couldn't agree more. He would have been up to speed by now and would have been a great asset to the team if it's wasn't for Silva's mismanagement.
Andrew Laird
28 Posted 15/03/2019 at 21:37:07
A case of absence makes the heart grow fonder with this guy. Always the same Jamesy's fan club trotting out the usual “if he's fit he's in my team” bullshit. Well, he's not, never has been, and probably never will be fit... so, when his contract runs out, it's best for all parties that he drains another club's resources instead.

Nobody knows the reasons why he wasn't loaned out in January, maybe the outlay of £70k+ a week for a player who is unfortunately never fit enough because of his ongoing hamstring problems who had suffered a severe leg break?

McCarthy is in no way a replacement for Gomes or even Schneiderlin so why certain people cannot comprehend that he is discarded from the bench is more a reflection on their footballing nouse. In no way can you whack Silva for not giving him game time with his fitness issues and contract situation.

McCarthy is third choice behind Gana and Davies, that's why he doesn't see game time, the way Gana is playing at the moment and the need to develop Davies supersedes giving minutes to someone who probably won't be here next year and cannot be counted on to string lots of games together without breaking down again.

It's not McCarthy's fault that his body is broken, just one of those things; elite professional sport is unforgiving. I honestly wish him luck but would rather he wasn't retained.

Tony Hill
29 Posted 15/03/2019 at 21:38:48
I'm a big fan of McCarthy when he's consistently fit, the last time being in 2013-14. Silva is quite right, therefore, to dismiss him from his planning. I wish James the very best of luck, somewhere else.
Kevin Prytherch
31 Posted 15/03/2019 at 22:30:18
James McCarthy has been rushed back into the team following bad injuries by the last two managers for a reason – he's a very good player. He was the main player in the derby a couple of years ago after just returning, and was one of the best players last season for the short spell he returned.

He broke his leg last season – hardly indicative of a recurring injury. He should have been getting as much game time as possible for the U23s and then providing cover for Gana. Instead, as someone else has pointed out, we rely on a loan player who's unlikely to sign, and a player who wants out.

Nil satis (except those who have no future) nisi optimum.

Don Alexander
32 Posted 15/03/2019 at 22:34:22
To me, McCarthy, injury aside, was already resembling the midfield equivalent of Mirallas in attack. To bastardise an Eric Morecambe line: "He plays all the right passes, but not necessarily at the right time."

Ireland management whinging is pretty rich though.

Andy Meighan
33 Posted 15/03/2019 at 22:46:17
Sorry, but McCarthy should have well been sold by now. He's been here a good few years now and I'd doubt if he's played 100 games for us... I could be wrong – not sure. But isn't this just typical of this shabby little club that we're still talking about a player who I doubt most fans of other clubs even know who he is!

In fact, a RedShite mate of mine even said only a few weeks back, "Is he still at Everton? I'm shocked." You see — just an irrelevance. Some of you on here still think this crock could have a part to play in the future...

My God – no wonder we've become a joke in this city. I fear we are going to end up like Espanyol in Barcelona — just a minor little irritant to our more glamorous and illustrious neighbours.

God, Everton, I fucking hate you!!!

Brian Williams
34 Posted 15/03/2019 at 22:47:38
"Don't blame it on the sunshine, don't blame it on the moonlight, don't blame it on the good times, blame it on Kenwright."

Yaaaaaawn. Zzzzzzzzzzz!

Drew O'Neall
35 Posted 15/03/2019 at 22:49:44
Stephen @ 30

Good point.

Shane Corcoran
37 Posted 15/03/2019 at 23:13:41
I agree, a half-fit Mick McCarthy would definitely improve our defending at set-pieces.
Andy Crooks
38 Posted 15/03/2019 at 23:23:18
I like him and wish him well. It seems to me, though, that the best way to establish a reputation is to never play. He is pretty limited and, if we have any ambition, will not be in our team. Then again, Schneiderlin is getting in it and James, with a limp, would offer more.
Mike Gaynes
39 Posted 15/03/2019 at 23:41:48
Rob #26, I love your misty, rose-tinted memories, mate – but they're a fantasy, like how beautiful that first girlfriend was in school.

Fully fit or not, Macca has never, ever been as good a player as Gana. And he certainly isn't now.

Tom Bowers
40 Posted 16/03/2019 at 02:53:32
Who knows what is happening inside the club these days with some of these players and the constant letdowns week after week.

I cannot believe what happened in the Barcode game.
Going back to the first derby match after that fluke goal giving RS all three points Everton just fell apart in subsequent games and then after getting a decent result this time in the derby they capitulate yet again and it would seem they are in for another run of poor results to finish the season.

Does anyone really think Silva has laid any good foundation for next season or is he out of his depth in the Prem ?

Macca is as good as any in the squad when fully fit but after a broken leg he may not be the same again much like Seamus has been.

What else Everton has in the midfield is purely average despite one or two good showings by Gana lately who is obviously out to impress PSG for his move at the end of the season.

Eric Myles
41 Posted 16/03/2019 at 03:50:32
So true, Phil #25, my abiding memory of McCarthy will be that, just as he's recovered from an injury, he's called up to the Ireland side for a meaningless friendly while not match fit and gets injured again. Then he's recovered in time for the next round of friendlies and he's injured again.
Derek Knox
42 Posted 16/03/2019 at 04:18:37
Tom @40, it is a mystery to us all, and furthermore sad to see what is, or rather what is not happening, to our beloved Everton.

There is something not quite right at our Club, and I don't just mean the present Manager/Coach. I watch many games both in the Premier/Championship as well as abroad (on tv) and maybe it's me, but I feel other players (even at cash richer clubs than our own) seem to be more passionate and committed.

That malaise seems to have manifested since the injection of money by FM.

James Flynn
43 Posted 16/03/2019 at 04:41:37
Ha ha, McCarthy again?

He's on that list of players who have to go this Summer. Right at the top of that list. 29 this year and his most productive season was 5 years ago.

Silva's doing it right. Keep James healthy and able to pass a physical this Summer so we can get rid.

Bill Gienapp
44 Posted 16/03/2019 at 07:01:32
I agree with Andrew (28). You can can crucify Silva for a lot of things, but choosing not to prioritize McCarthy sure as heck ain't one of them.
Pat Kelly
45 Posted 16/03/2019 at 10:48:28
"A half-fit McCarthy would be better than..."

Problem is, he's only ever half-fit. Unfortunately, he's not one for the future.

Gerry Ring
46 Posted 16/03/2019 at 11:01:02
Pat (#45). It's pretty obvious therefore that McCarthy is in the same stable as Gana & Gomes, not ones for the future!
Jon Hirshman
47 Posted 16/03/2019 at 11:54:11
Andy at 43, he's played 107 games for us since we signed him.
David Pearl
48 Posted 16/03/2019 at 12:18:13
This discussion is actually long overdue. It kind of highlights the fact that, even with quite a few out on loan, we have way too many in the squad.

You can't even say that this makes Silva seem more inept because you only have to look at Sandro and Klaassen from last season when they could've got experience of England by playing Under-23s or even a loan in the Championship which I felt would've really benefitted both.

I can't see Schneiderlin playing Under-23s either to keep himself sharp. Having said that, you could argue that it would inhibit the chances of younger players.

Not the case with McCarthy, he needed to play and has been treated in the wrong way to get back to speed. We even made mistakes with Holgate and Dowell who should've been out on loan at the beginning of the season.

Andy Meighan
50 Posted 16/03/2019 at 13:05:03
Thanks, John (47),

I wasn't that far out then. But 107 games since he signed in 2013 isn't a great return, is it? Not even 20 games a season. He had a brilliant first season but, since then, has just been injury-prone.

A decent player but surely we should be looking to offload him in the summer. Thing is, we'd be lucky to get £5 million for him given his injury record. Looks like a season-long loan to a Championship club then.

Alan J Thompson
51 Posted 16/03/2019 at 14:20:42
Mick McCarthy should ask Northern Ireland if they wouldn't mind giving him a few games, either that or keep his inane comments to himself. Eire haven't exactly been guilt-free in the player's injury woes.
Rob Marsh
52 Posted 16/03/2019 at 23:07:11
Mike Gaynes #39,

Yes, I have a soft spot for James McCarthy, he was (is?) a blood and guts type of player, big box-to-box engine on him, similar to Seamus but in midfield.

If he was fit and in form, he'd have played in my last derby team alongside Gueye and would have been more willing and capable of carrying the ball forward than Gueye.

Mike, yep I might be wearing a slightly rose-tinted pair of glasses, are you sure you're not wearing a pair of ultra dark-tinted sunglasses when watching James play?

Frank McGregor
53 Posted 16/03/2019 at 23:55:52
Rob #52, I agree with you, if we had a fully fit James McCarthy, the midfield would be a lot stronger than we have at the moment.

We need players like Dave Mackay and Blanchflower. I also believe buying Mina was a huge mistake. By the way my eyes are in good shape.

Neil Cremin
54 Posted 17/03/2019 at 08:20:16
Jon @47,

I think a really more relevant stat is what is our record in those games compared to record this season. This would give some guidance as to his value and finally put to bed some of the bias and prejudice towards McCarthy. Rose-tinted or dark-shaded glasses... 😀

Rob Marsh
55 Posted 17/03/2019 at 14:50:51
Frank #53,

They're two great players that would've helped us. I'd like to throw in two more from our own history, that would have worked wonders in the last derby.

Reid & Bracewell: Bracewell winning the ball for Reidy to run at them, draw defenders to him, and then play that defence-beating pass.

We have Gomes, but he disappears and is nowhere near consistent enough. Gueye just doesn't like running at defences, McCarthy does and would've created more space for others.

Joe McMahon
56 Posted 17/03/2019 at 15:13:33
McCarthy would best suit Burnley or Huddersfield. Rob M the players you mentioned were brilliant for as at the time, sadly though over 30 years ago, it's now that counts.
Justin Doone
57 Posted 17/03/2019 at 16:28:43
McCarthy is a chocolate tea cup and I hope he's being left on the novelty shelf so as not to get injured before being sold in the summer.

He's a good player with limited skills but had a good work ethic. However his attributes need full fitness something he's not had in over 2 years. Will he ever regain again?

No better can be certain but we have moved on. Hard graft and high energy players are not enough for top 6 Premier league teams. They need greater abilty too.

John Hammond
58 Posted 17/03/2019 at 20:53:46
I'm still amazed how McCarthy's absence has made him in to a brilliant box-to-box midfielder better than any one in the current squad. Surely he'd have gotten a game by now considering some of our performances. He's not even been in the squad for the last 4 games. Only kept as a backup if we had an injury crisis and will surely be sold in the summer.
Fran Mitchell
59 Posted 18/03/2019 at 00:40:20
It's a shame, he had real bite when he came, gave great energy to the midfield.

The idea of him and Gueye in midfield sounds great, 2 busy, aggressive midfielders, pressing and hounding the opposition. But in reality, it probably wouldn't work, maybe in a 4-4-2, but not in a 4-2-3-1, that is why Schneiderlin is preferred.

I guess both Scheiderlin and McCarthy will go come the summer.

Matthew Williams
60 Posted 22/03/2019 at 14:54:44
He's still a poor player... get rid!
Mick Davies
61 Posted 25/03/2019 at 15:50:46
Matthew Williams @ 60. Have you ever watched an Everton game?
Winston Williamson
62 Posted 25/03/2019 at 16:52:28
Maybe he's not getting a game, in case he gets injured (probable). This way, come the summer, he can be sold as 'fit and healthy' and we can recoup some money on him?

Just a thought and a guess.


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