The Weekend ITK Discussion Thread 11th/12th July 2015

[Lilbaz]

It's still puzzling as to why they would let him go for anything less than £20m. This makes me sceptical about his injuries.

It does make you wonder if the Everton medical staff know something we don't. Otherwise why would Martinez, who brought him to Everton in the first place as a key signing, be willing to sell him for anything less than silly money?

Lennon as a makeweight will bring that down.

 

[Spurger King]

It was a private joke aimed specifically at SK, who is always berating those of us who accept our fiscal circumstances as lacking ambition.

I think 'joke' is stretching it a bit.

 

[WorthATry]

39 league games? Impressive.

Five for Wigan, 34 for Everton.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

It was a private joke aimed specifically at SK, who is always berating those of us who accept our fiscal circumstances as lacking ambition.

Okay. Apologies. Although I know you're not keen on McCarthy.

 

[KingNick]

.

That said, if anyone is doubting his abilities, go and type in 'James McCarthy v Tottenham' on YouTube...

That is possibly one of the worst showcase videos of a player I have ever seen!

 

[Sum Monsterism]

I originally came for the ITK, but I keep coming back to hear everyone sniping at everyone else.

McCarthy can be our new Carrick.

**ducks head**

 

[arunspurs]

Mccarthy a no brainer IMO. He is the most realistic PL proven target we could look at, given MS doesn't fancy us.
Everton's best game in last 2 seasons came Mccarthy in it. He was out injured for some time last season - coincided with awful Everton form. He was injured for 9 games- Everton won 2, drawn 3, lost 4.

 

[thebenjamin]

It's still puzzling as to why they would let him go for anything less than £20m. This makes me sceptical about his injuries.

It does make you wonder if the Everton medical staff know something we don't. Otherwise why would Martinez, who brought him to Everton in the first place as a key signing, be willing to sell him for anything less than silly money?

I don't think they do want to sell him. The player wants to leave.

 

[OmegaTigerWoods]

Fair, but the same also happened against Arsenal, and Chelsea for a period before Mason went off. Also over the course of that season, we finished with lowly Mason in the 2nd highest position we've ever finished in the league in his first full season too, a lot higher than I think McCarthy has ever taken his teams without him even being the main starter.

At the end of the day, we still finished 5th, and I think one of the reasons is because our current pairing is a bit weak. Yes they had their good games, but they don't have a strong enough combination of key traits (passing ability/ball movement/defensive ability etc) to consistently operate at a top 4 standard.

McCarthy plays for a worse team, that would explain why he's never finished higher than 5th.

I can't say it's conclusive no as I haven't seen him play 38 games but when I have seen him on TV I don't think he looked better than Mason. His apparent strength is his defensive side to the game and he still average less interceptions per game last season than Mason so I don't exactly see where this massive improvement comes from.

Different styles of play in different teams often lead to polarizing statistics. I wouldn't be surprised if McCarthy averaged more interceptions if he was anchoring our midfield.

I also don't know how you can admit to having probably seen him less than me, but can know he is exaclly the type of player than we need, and are happy to spend 20m on him. His attributes statistically and from what I have seen are no better than Mason's.

I've seen him play enough to know what type of player he is, and the areas he excels in, and I've seen us play more than enough to know he's exactly the type of player we need. Whether he's good enough to play at a top 4 standard is subjective, but if the club is happy to pay 20m for him, so am I.

We don't know if Mason is a certified starter for a team trying to make top 4 but he is doing the best we've ever done outside of having Modric, Bale, VDV and King

The bar isn't set very high here. Just because he's better than guys like Dembele and Paulinho doesn't mean he couldn't be improved upon.

in the team so he is actually performing above our expectations since most thought we;d finish 6th. I also struggle to see how McCarthy would be a starter in a Top 4 team, he would not make the CM of any of the teams above us, and I doubt he would at Southampton either, he currently wouldn't at Liverpool either as I'm sure if most had the option they would rather have Milner over McCarthy. Again if the club think he is the answer that is Poch's decision, but if he had the option of Kramer or Schneiderlin I am sure he would choose drop McCarthy which is my issue. I will back the manager and the team regardless though.

Even if he wouldn't start in those teams, that doesn't necessarily mean he's worse than their CMs. He's not the most luxurious midfielder going around, but he excels in all the right areas, and in a better team, I could see him having a huge influence.

I don't think it's fair to say he hasn't paid off. First season he was injured and 2nd while not looking appealing he has been our most creative player, I think he will improve again next year.

Generally when you spend 30m on a player, you'd want them to play some excellent football right off the bat. As of right now, he's been disappointing and looks off the pace. He could still improve, but I think we would've finished better in the last two seasons had we brought in a quality winger with Premier League experience.

Well again that is your opinion, similar to McCarthy I am sure Arsenal fans would have seen him a lot more. I don't watch a lot of them to really question either of you, though when I have I don't think he is that good

Aren't these all opinions in the end?

It'll probably make you sick, but if you watched some of those Arsenal games in 2012, it'll show you just how valuable a quality, experienced player can be. He single handedly won the game against City, which ultimately helped them beat us to third.

 

[pompower]

Fair point I guess I'm more placing value on the fact that the German coaches obviously rate him though. Who would you have if given the choice, McCarthy or Kramer

For what it's worth, statistically they stack up similarly, and McCarthy already plays in the Premier League and (I believe at least) would be cheaper.

 

[mattyspurs]

I'm with Beece, IGSpur and everyone else who thinks that as a footballer McCarthy is ho, and indeed, hum. Would sooner player our own kids than Joe Average.

I'm all for playing the kids mate, but who is seriously ready for this role from our youth who is as good and consistent as McCarthy, because I'm sure if there was someone ready Poch would play them.

 

[Jonesywasbestever]

But I don't think Messi's interception and tackling stats are very good...

You are right I have just checked, not good at all. What's that you say, he's a forward, WHAT he scored how many goals? Get the lad in. Fuck the defence I would rather we kept winning 5-4 any way.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Nice to see the SpursCommunity members are unanimous in their opinions on McCarthy.

 

[Air Jordan 3]

I have always liked what I have seen from McCarthy when he plays. Fast across the ground and positive with the ball. Makes some real lung busting runs in behind the oppositions back 4 as well.

I think a midfield of him, Benteleb and Erikson in behind Kane is excellent.

 

[Singaspursofsixspence]

McCarthy. Not even signed yet and he's already the next Jenas

 

[mark87]

Nice to see the SpursCommunity members are unanimous in their opinions on McCarthy.

Were you expecting anything else?

 

[Lilbaz]

Nice to see the SpursCommunity members are unanimous in their opinions on McCarthy.

We are always unanimous. We are one voice, one thought and one movement.

 

[sammy j]

Mccarthy ,werner, cf to play European and cup games. And get rid of 4/5 players , coys.

 

[Mr Pink]

Mccarthy ,werner, cf to play European and cup games. And get rid of 4/5 players , coys.

If that was our business I'd be delighted!

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Okay. Apologies. Although I know you're not keen on McCarthy.

If Poch/recruitment team have identified that we need a disciplined player who is more functional than expansive then they have completely missed what we have already and sitting in our development group.