McCarthy needs to rule the roost

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.

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"?

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

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!!

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 itÂ’s his consistent view.

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

Having said that, heÂ’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 OÂ’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.

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.

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.....?

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.

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.