26 Aug 2016 22:48:46
Well there you have it, Koeman comes out and says McCarthy has a future in his plans. No one knows what Koeman intentions are. People and most of all the media were speculating that he was going to leave.
When you think of it, it was a compliment that he was played on the right. Koeman could of picked other players but went with McCarthy. Why? Because he rates him. Insisted in his interview that he is happy with McCarthy and sees him as a midfielder.
He's still only 25 and 10 years younger than Barry! Yet to reach his peak. I suspect there won't be many games he'll miss all season. Barry will not be playing over half the games. Not knocking him. Think he's amazing to still be at the standard he is.
My point is give McCarthy a chance. He still has 2-3 years before he gets anywhere near his peak. Why people knock him and then more join in once they see someone else do it is beyond me.
I'm sure his work rate fits in with Koeman. He also has the ability. It will fall into place imho. I for one fully support McCarthy and will cheer him on for a long time to come yet.
27 Aug 2016 00:31:21
Spot on NBTB, Mcarthy's proven how much of an asset he can be, still young as you say and been used as scapegoat recently. He was outstanding in his first season for us.
27 Aug 2016 02:28:37
I agree to an extent mate. I think he is a decent player which he showed in his first season. The only thing I will criticise is his lack of goals, he needs to start hitting the back of the net. I think it is a make or break season for him this year, if he can't reach the next level required then he could be moved on. He should be encouraged with what RK has said about him though.
27 Aug 2016 07:43:19
I agree that McCarthy is still young enough to improve. I also think he has many fine attributes. He seems level headed. He has an engine that means he covers so much ground. He has a fantastic ability to track backand get important last ditch tackles. My big concern with him is that all his attributes are defensive ones. He very rarely scores a goal as spudv has pointed out. But I would add to that. He very rarely makes a forwards pass. His passing is nearly always based on retaining possession. When he attempts a killer pass, they nearly always fail. His assists ratio must be very poor (not that I have looked them up, so correct me if I am wrong) . Yes I find this with most of our central midfielders which is why I am happy with the Gueye signing. He seems much more positive to get the ball forwards to our goalscorers and is also happy to join in. Cleverly, Barry and McCarthy seem to me to have very little to offer re attacking options.
27 Aug 2016 08:05:33
Let RK get his form and confidence back and the boy will be a top player for us. He knows exactly what it takes to balance defence with attack as he was master of it. So put that mindset into Jimmy Mac and he'll be a top player for us. Just give it some time.
I like the lad and hope he stays.
27 Aug 2016 08:17:21
At 25 he should be able to make forward passes and assists. let's hope that RK works on that aspect with him. I am sure he will. or he will ship him out.
27 Aug 2016 08:48:17
I think that McCarthy will eventually be replaced, but Rome wasn't built in a day. We need a good sized squad with lots of depth and options. We are looking at signing another 2-3 players. This is proving challenging enough without replacing McCarthy, Gibson, Cleverly and Kone as well. It will be two years at least before we have anything resembling a complete squad.
27 Aug 2016 11:05:45
Degsy, I get what you are saying about never passing forwards and that he is all about keeping possession but maybe that has been drilled into him for too long. The lad had more seasons than most playing under Roberto, having followed him from Wigan, so RK might have a bit of work on his hands to drum the bad points out of his game. If he's still doing the same things 12 months from now then he will probably be replaced. It's ultimately up to JM to step up and prove he can get back to a similar level like his first season with us.
27 Aug 2016 11:01:29
I like McCarthy as a person and he's a good player. However, is very one dimensional for me. I said this recently that he may improve under Koeman but at best he is a mid table type player. More a Kevin Nolan than a top midfield talent.
When you look at Gana it highlights what we've been lacking in the midfield and I wouldn't put him ahead of Barry either.
What I would say is that every player at the club needs to be given a chance. Moyes was very rigid in his approach and Martinez was the opposite. Koeman is different again and they all deserve the chance to see if they can fit into his way of playing.
IRKWT.
27 Aug 2016 11:38:47
He needs to add a more pressing approach to his game like idrissa gueye has. Mccarthy's problem is that he does all the running about but just stands off from opposition, giving them far too much time on the ball.
It's what you get use to being managed by Martinez all those years I suppose. But Ronald will beat it out of him I'm sure of that.