EVERTON MANAGER ROBERTO Martinez has responded to Eamon Dunphy’s contentious and damning appraisal of James McCarthy by launching a staunch defence of his player.
In the aftermath of Ireland’s draw with Poland at the weekend, Dunphy singled out the Everton midfielder during an interview with RTÉ’s Game On and labelled him a ‘terrible flop’ as well as being ‘vastly overrated’.
And after being asked about Dunphy’s criticism of McCarthy during his weekly press conference, Martinez claimed the comments were an attempt to take the attention away from Ireland’s result on Sunday.
“That’s quite a harsh comment if you ask me,” Martinez said in the build-up to the Toffees’ game with Southampton. “I think sometimes those comments are a distraction from the reality of having bad results with their team.
“It’s a shame that, if there is any criticism, that it comes down to individuals. It is disappointing when you look at those comments because you are not going to get anyone in world football more committed and a better character than James McCarthy.”
McCarthy won his 25th cap against Poland but struggled to make an impression in the engine room, particularly during the first-half.
Throughout his four year international career, the 24-year-old has been unable to replicate his club form in a green jersey but Martinez insists McCarthy is ‘an incredible asset’ for any side to have.
“I see that James McCarthy, at such a young age, has incredible, incredible experience, is a massive asset for us and for me he is an incredible asset to have in any football team
“As a nation you don’t get many players who can make a decision on which country to represent and James McCarthy decided to represent the Republic of Ireland, which shows you that he has got a strong desire to play for a nation which has got incredible potential.
“For us he has been exactly what we expected: he is a reliable footballer and we know we are not the same team when he is not on the football pitch.
“I know that he is going to keep growing and is going to keep developing into a player that is very much important.”
It’s the second time in the space of a year the Everton boss has responded to criticism of his players from the Irish camp or media. Last year, Roy Keane accused the club of ‘pressuring’ McCarthy, Seamus Coleman and Darron Gibson into pulling out of Ireland squads through injury.
Martinez confirmed Gibson has not yet returned to full training after withdrawing from Martin O’Neill’s squad due to a persistent groin injury. The midfielder will undergo a late fitness to determine whether he’s included for Everton’s clash with Southampton on Saturday.
