Martinez confident McCarthy is on the mend

Lyndon Lloyd , 8 January, 39comments | Jump to most recent

Roberto Martinez believes that the club's medical staff have "got to the bottom" of James McCarthy's hamstring issues and he predicts that when the Irish international returns to the side it will be for good.

McCarthy has been in and out of the team this season with a recurrent soft tissue problem that has also kept him out of Euro2016 qualifying action for his country.

Though he played 70 minutes of the Boxing Day defeat to Stoke, he had to be withdrawn at half time against Newcastle two days later after he felt tightening in his hamstring.

The club say he is expected back "sooner rather than later" with Martinez expressing confidence that the problem has been identified.

“I think we have got to the bottom of it,” the manager explained in his pre-match press conference. “It is going to help him for the rest of his career. It is about making sure his recovery, his nutrition and everything he does from game to game is managed.

“He has a very unusual profile as a midfielder; he is more of a sprinter than a normal midfielder who carries stamina as part of their profile.

“He is a sprinter and those payers need extra care, so we have got to the bottom of that.

“Now we need to make sure he's fully recovered and we need to allow him to be on the pitch enjoying his football and not being concerned about if he is going to have a soft tissue problem.

“I am very confident that once he's back, he will be back to stay.”

McCarthy is ruled out of Saturday's match with Manchester City but Martinez expects Leighton Baines to return to the team after he missed Tuesday's FA Cup tie against West Ham.

Antolin Alcaraz will also be available after serving a one-match ban and would be a straight swap in the squad for the injured Sylvain Distin.

Quotes sourced from evertonfc.com

Reader Comments (39)

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Darren Bailey
1 Posted 08/01/2015 at 16:17:39

What medical staff? HavenÂ’t got any left have we?

Jimmy Salt
2 Posted 08/01/2015 at 16:23:07

We need this player back, but we need him fully fit. Our midfield is gash at the moment.

Minik Hansen
4 Posted 08/01/2015 at 16:45:15

We have Stones and it’s still Jags over Alcaraz imo, because Jags been part of the squad troubling Man City over the years, he knows what it takes and maybe it’s a time we need, a match against City to make sure the toffees crowd are with them again.

Will Firstbrook
5 Posted 08/01/2015 at 16:50:22

Which medical staff? I thought they were all recently shown the door or resigned?!

Dave Harrison
6 Posted 08/01/2015 at 16:54:26

Could it be that Martinez wasn’t happy that current medical team were reactive and he wanted more proactive ’prevention rather than cure’ from the team....only a theory and no fact behind making that statement
Will be interesting to see Everton injury situations in 12-18 months time....

Tony Draper
7 Posted 08/01/2015 at 16:51:15

Jimmy Mac is not the ONLY player at Everton, but haven’t we missed him ?

During JMc’s prolonged absence, Mu Besic has stepped into our midfield and grown with each game. Good.

Only the strongest grow when the sun doesn’t shine.

JMc & MB are our future CM partnership I believe. Steel and style.

Tony Hill
8 Posted 08/01/2015 at 17:22:57

Well that’s cleared that up then. Hasn’t it?

Peter Morris
9 Posted 08/01/2015 at 17:17:54

I think(and hope!) both the team and the supporters need a home game against a team like Man City at the moment. We like to think of ourselves as one big family, but for the last few weeks we haven’t been on speaking terms with one another! It’s up to the crowd to really get behind the boys on Saturday from the off, and down to the players to get fucking stuck in from the off...no pissing about, get the crowd behind you! Win or lose, if they give their best and are seen to be trying, I for one believe that the fractious atmosphere at home games this season can be consigned to history.
COYB

Tim Sarken
10 Posted 08/01/2015 at 17:36:10

We need McCarthy back, but not until heÂ’s back to 100%. One of the biggest differences from last year is that when we lost possession last year, the midfield was the best I have seen in winning the ball back. This year, when we lose possession (albeit often in more precarious positions) the opposition invariably either breaks quickly or consolidates possession for a lengthy spell of pressure on our defense. We need McCarthyÂ’s talent, tackling and workrate in the midfield to shield the team from the mistakes that didnÂ’t cost us last year, but are decimating the team and their confidence this year.

Hope the rumors of McCarthy leaving are false, as IÂ’m looking forward to seeing McCarthy and Besic as a midfield partnership for a long while!

Alan Brown
11 Posted 08/01/2015 at 18:02:07

It’s about his nutrition? What in gods name has he been eating? He can’t just eat pies washed down with a bottle of cream soda. You need a balanced meal. Add chips and baked beans.

Colin Glassar
12 Posted 08/01/2015 at 18:12:00

Dave Harrison, I mentioned something similar on another thread re the physio’s. We don’t have a great record getting players back from injury do we?
As for Macca, well we have missed him. Barry no longer has the time he needs on the ball and so is often caught in possession. Hopefully, McCarthy can get over his niggles and finish the season strongly.

John Paul McGurk
13 Posted 08/01/2015 at 19:05:10

We miss McCarthy so much when he is not 100% fit. Need James and Besic to play together and if that means dropping Barry JUST DO IT. I still believe in Roberto but we really need a creative midfielder and we should buy him if not now in the summer Shaqiri for a meesly 10million ( even though he might be going to Inter on loan till the end of the season ) and we need a really pacy left winger like bolasie

Danny O'Neill
14 Posted 08/01/2015 at 19:10:36

Interesting. Did the fitness / medical staff walk or were they pushed? Did Bobby interfere or does he know better? He has a degree in physiotherapy so will inevitably take an interest in sports injuries and the science behind it.

Ant Summers
15 Posted 08/01/2015 at 19:28:09

It will be a complete slap in the face if McCarthy and Besic do not start in the centre of midfield next Saturday. Barry is too slow.

John Paul McGurk
16 Posted 08/01/2015 at 19:38:27

I see Gerard Deulofeu just scored for Sevilla, another target we should look at in the summer if not this month. And a big NO to Lennon!

Ant Summers
17 Posted 08/01/2015 at 19:59:41

Sorry not this Saturday, but when both are fit, Barry Besic will be this Saturday.

Peter Morris
18 Posted 08/01/2015 at 19:59:08

Ant (15), read the article mate. McCarthy is not playing Saturday due to being unfit, so slap in the face not an issue!

Ant Summers
19 Posted 08/01/2015 at 20:44:01

ShouldnÂ’t they be spending money on a central defender or are we just buying what is available?

Our defending against West Ham was a joke. We can’t defend corners, even when West Ham were taking short corners, we could not figure this out and mark their players properly,

My 14 year old son who plays amateur football would have figured this out after the first or second attempt but our defenders just couldn’t,

I’ll say it again: we have a big problem defensively, it has got nothing to do with confidence but rather training and tactics. Unless Mr Martinez recognizes and addresses this, we will continue to struggle.

Over to you, Mr Martinez!

Dave Abrahams
20 Posted 08/01/2015 at 21:11:56

I do not want McCarthy back on Saturday or the next game until he is properly fit.

James is a class act and he holds the team together when he is fit. It is no use bringing him back until he ready. He will make a big difference to the results when he returns.

Colin Glassar
21 Posted 08/01/2015 at 21:25:42

I tend to agree Dave, no more rushing back our walking wounded.
John Paul, Sevilla are in a good vein of form. Del boy struggled at the beginning there but sounds like he's finding his form. I'm still relatively optimistic he'll be a blue in the summer.

Mick Wrende
22 Posted 08/01/2015 at 21:35:27

Martinez is a qualified Physio but it is a much lesser degree which was open to ex players - 2 years part time rather than 3 full time and I don't think he has ever practised this art. It is interesting that following the Rockwood Report which basically suggested Martinez was still in the dark age regarding injuries, that he is saying exactly what the 3 physios said he wasn't doing. It sounds as though he is trying to save face. Basically what the physios were saying is you should treat a person as an individual and work out a personal training plan, most effective nutrition, relaxation etc which Martinez wasn't doing.

Jamie Crowley
23 Posted 08/01/2015 at 21:57:12

We need him back so badly. And I agree 100% we need to play JMc and Besic in midfield.

Robles
Coleman Stones Jags Garbutt/Baines
McCarthy Besic
McGeady Barkley Mirallas
Lukaku

subs - Barry (cover at CB or start him there in lieu of Jags, or subbing for a tired CM), Baines/Garbutt, Eto'o for the wings (only player I'd play our of position), Naismith (in at the 10 only), and Kone for Rom if he's misfiring

That's the line up in my opinion that doesn't force square pegs into round holes, and McCarthy is a huge part of making that work. Hope he's back very, very soon (but not rushed!).

Jim Burns
24 Posted 08/01/2015 at 22:08:22

Well said Peter @ 9. Home games and more recently away games too have not had comfortable atmospheres. Let's hope Lukaku's last minute effort ( and his performance as a whole against West Ham) is the corner we have turned.

Saturday is a great chance to find out.

Dan Brierley
25 Posted 08/01/2015 at 22:06:56

“He has a very unusual profile as a midfielder; he is more of a sprinter than a normal midfielder who carries stamina as part of their profile. He is a sprinter and those players need extra care, so we have got to the bottom of that."

What the hell does that even mean? We have midfielders that DONT sprint or carry stamina?

Another pearl of wisdom from a guy who sounds more like a fraud each time he opens his mouth. What are we to make of the the fact that McCarthy has been playing for him for over 5 years, and he has only just sussed out what type of player he is?

Jamie Crowley
26 Posted 08/01/2015 at 22:18:55

Cmon Dan... it means exactly what it says. He's the terrier. The one that sprints across the pitch to break up play. He's constantly sprinting from one side to another to defend.

How can you say what does that mean?

Do you not see the obvious difference in his "sprinting" style of play when compared to Barry who positions himself and isn't a gnat / chasing down people from all over the place?

McCarthy is a sprinting midfielder who covers ground from one end of the pitch to the other.

Howard Parr
27 Posted 08/01/2015 at 22:10:27

Me arl fella always says it takes a man to admit when he's wrong. RM listened to the players/fans over style of play Tuesday - and seems to have accepted you cant rush someone back with a hammy.
Took longer than necessary, but lets hope its a start.
Agree got to be Mo and Jim when fit. And got to be Stones and Jags at CB.
I'd go with
Joel
Shay
Baines
Jags
Stones
Mo
Barry
Nais(right)
Ross(10)
Bryan
Rom.

No Mirallas. Wasnt interested on Tuesday. If he shows right attitude then great to bring on as game opens up.
Need 11 who are up for it 100% on Saturday

Mike Childs
28 Posted 08/01/2015 at 22:48:38

Colin I watched Serville recently and Delboy didn't and hasn't been playing he's having a tough time getting minutes the announcer of the game said.

Brian Hennessy
29 Posted 08/01/2015 at 22:52:08

My short simple version of Roberto's comments,

"We rushed him back too soon last time and will give him and extra few weeks this time round and hope that solves it"

Colin Glassar
30 Posted 08/01/2015 at 23:02:04

Mike, he got a goal and an assist tonight. I hope he doesn't play well, or too much, for Seville. That way we could get him on the cheapo.

Phil Walling
31 Posted 08/01/2015 at 22:50:06

Pretty certain we shall see Alcaraz, Barry and Eto'o on Saturday as Roberto goes for experience.

The all-important ball retention will rule the tactical approach as I believe more than Jagielka got a flea in his ear for playing it long on Tuesday.

A bad defeat will see for our manager but we are so desperate for points that we can only hope that the lads come good so MUST give them all our backing!

Russell Smith
32 Posted 08/01/2015 at 22:54:54

Mick(22) Martinez physio skills may be similar to his managerial skills, and he needs a crisis to occur before he changes his obsession. He appears to be listening to everyone on every subject now, good management or just flimflam, we will find out over the next few weeks.

We shouldnÂ’t forget that even under OFM we regularly had injury crisises which was usually when the team suddenly became galvanised into a hard working, difficult to beat, but boring, team. The likes of Rodwell, Gosling and to a lesser degree Coleman would never have had their chances at the time had our then first choice players not suffered long-term injuries.

Dan Brierley
33 Posted 09/01/2015 at 00:05:48

Jamie, I fully agree with everything you said. McCarthy is your typical young, defensive midfielder working hard to break up play. What I am trying to understand is, what is 'very unusual' about his profile?

Harold Matthews
34 Posted 09/01/2015 at 00:57:03

We're getting to be a bit short in the heading department.....Literally.

Laurie Hartley
35 Posted 09/01/2015 at 01:45:24

Jamie @ 23,

I think that is our best team when all players are available but I think it will be Besic and Barry against City.

Can't agree with you about Eto'o though - the man is a goal scoring machine and if he is going to play should only lead the line. Square pegs in square holes.

I think we might see him at some stage against City. He will definitely want to play against them and will be up for it.

Could be he comes on for McGeady and Lukaku goes on to the right wing.

For some reason I'm feeling a bit more confident about this game but we must keep an eye on Zabaleta getting in behind Baines.

Paul Burns
36 Posted 09/01/2015 at 07:50:46

I donÂ’t think it matters who plays where at the moment, I donÂ’t expect to get anything from the game.

After a lifetime of supporting Everton, you think youÂ’ve seen everything but even I never expected that in the first 18 months of a new manager, weÂ’d see such a massive improvement in playing style and results followed so quickly by the disorganized, unprofessional and ugly shambles that the club have become.

I canÂ’t see a way out itÂ’s that bad and disaster beckons. At least Kenwright will finally get the kicking he deserves but itÂ’s small potatoes.

Jamie Crowley
37 Posted 09/01/2015 at 08:32:46

Dan @ 33-

Apologies. Thank you for the clarification and I understand now your questioning the comment made by Roberto.

I think McCarthy's style is "very unique" in that he seemingly goes from 0 mph to 75 mph more often than most players. In fact to me he does just that an amazing amount of times. I have no empirical data or evidence to back that up - just an observation that could be flawed, but I would hazard a guess that can't be far from the truth. So in that light it's "very unique" as I don't see many midfielders do that with the frequency McCarthy does.

He's the Millennium Falcon of midfielders, constantly making the jump to light speed to get [us] out of trouble.

I believe that's what Roberto is trying to convey.

More importantly I think I just made my first TW Star Wars metaphor...

Harold Matthews
38 Posted 09/01/2015 at 16:06:54

Yes Jamie. That's McCarthy. He can suddenly move like a blurr prompting me to think "Where on earth did he come from?"

Mike Childs
40 Posted 09/01/2015 at 23:10:04

Thanks Colin for the update on Delboy. What a difference a day makes. One thing you can't fault him for his attitude he's out there to make things happen.

Steve Carse
41 Posted 09/01/2015 at 23:27:29

Howard (27), I agree Mirallas was a disgrace on Tuesday. He's very self-centred. Which is why if selected for tomorrow he'll doubtless try and turn it on, in the misguided belief that City might fancy him if he does well enough. A cliche uttered by many players in post-match interviews is on the lines that it wasn't important that they personally had scored a goal, what was important was that the team had won the game. Mirallas if being honest would say something more like "I don't give a shit that we lost, the fact is I had a blinder and scored".

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