Balls: How are you feeling after Saturday's loss to West Brom?
McCarthy: I’m just looking forward to Wednesday to be honest. Obviously it was a frustrating result. It's never good to lose a game especially as we were on a good wee run. We had gotten back-to-back wins and it's frustrating but it's back to concentrating on getting game time on Wednesday for Ireland and we've got another big game on Saturday as well.
Have you received any indication that you might be featuring from the start against Greece on Wednesday?
McCarthy: No, I've not heard anything to be honest. I'll work hard in training this week and take it from there so I just need to wait and see what happens really.
Giovanni Trapattoni came to see your game on Saturday and obviously Shane Long was playing as well. Were you aware he was there at the game?
McCarthy: No I didn't know he was there until after the game when I got told. It was good of him to come and watch myself and Shane.
Did you get a chance to talk to him after the game or was today the first time you spoke to him?
McCarthy: No, I saw him today when I came and he just told me he was there and obviously I knew because somebody had told me after the game that he was there. We just had a quick chat about Saturday's game and he said 'well done' with my performance and unlucky about the result.
Trap seems to be looking at a 4-3-3 for the Greece match. How do you think you’re fixed for that formation? Does it play to your strengths when Ireland set up that way?
McCarthy: I'm happy to play in any position, in any formation. The most important thing is that I do well and I give it my all. If he goes with a 4-4-2, a 4-5-1 or a 4-3-3, I'll be happy to play in any position. The main thing is that I'm hopefully selected.
With the Irish team, do you feel like you're finally a part of the set up and the first team squad?
McCarthy: It's brilliant to be involved and the boys make me feel so welcome. I'm loving coming away with Ireland especially playing the games but I won't get carried away. I'll keep working hard and if I keep playing then that'll be brilliant but if I don't play, I need to wait on the bench and be patient. We've got Keith (Andrews & Fahey) and Glenn (Whelan) - there's a lot of competition.
How important is the game on Wednesday? It's only a friendly but how important is it to be involved in the game and the training where the manager can talk about how he wants to set up for the upcoming qualifiers?
McCarthy: Yeah obviously it's important. We want to get back to winning ways at home. Especially after the bad result against Germany, we want to get back on track in front of the Aviva crowd and hopefully we can go and put in a good performance. But we won't be taking the game lightly. We know Greece are a good side and we'll give it our best shot on Wednesday.
How disappointing was that Germany result? It was the heaviest defeat Ireland had had in quite some time.
McCarthy: It was so frustrating. We were all so gutted. It was a bad, bad, bad performance from everyone. Everything they hit seemed to go in. Their passing was excellent and if any ball broke loose there always seemed to be one of them there. It was brilliant to have a game so soon after. The game in the Faroe Islands gave us the chance to get back on track.
How difficult was it to watch Ireland in the Euros? You had your own family difficulties but to watch the Irish team play like that must have been tough.
McCarthy: Yeah it was so frustrating. Me being back home and not being able to do anything about it was horrible. It was a bad tournament for us and for me personally with the news about my dad, it was very tough. I think we can put that behind us now and look forward to the future.
And how is your father’s treatment going?
McCarthy: He's had chemotherapy and he's on radiotherapy now. He's positive so that's the main thing and hopefully it continues.
Just coming back to Wigan, obviously Saturday's result was very disappointing but you have had a decent start to the season. What do you put that down to?
McCarthy: I think we have had a decent enough start but we wanted more points on the board. We've had a couple of games at home when we should have got results instead of getting draws. You want to try and keep yourself away from the bottom and not have be looking down and worrying who's trying to leap us this week or that week.
You've played every minute of every league game so far. That must give you a massive confidence boost coming back into the international fold?
McCarthy: Yeah, it's great. I've played a lot of football and I'm loving playing games. Hopefully I can continue to stay in the team. I don't want to get rested but I need to keep performing and playing well for the team.
How big an impact do you feel Roberto Martinez has had on your career?
McCarthy: He's been brilliant. He's brought me on so much especially since I was a kid. When moving down at first, I was so homesick. Trying to move away from home and everyone was really tough and then it took me six months to get into the first team. I broke down in training after two weeks or something. I tore my thigh and that took a while to get fully recovered. It was just a waiting game really. He wanted to embed me in nice and slowly and when I got my chance I got in and stayed in the team until the end of the season which was brilliant.
My passing, reading of the game: he's improved all aspects of my game.
Finally, you appear in FIFA 13 Ultimate Team... do ye play whilst in the Irish camp?
McCarthy: We had the old FIFA but I don't think we've got the new one yet.
And who was the king pin and the whipping boy?
McCarthy: Ah, I think Seamus Coleman might be the champion just now. And I'm probably the whipping boy.... Nah! *laughs* I'm not having that! Maybe David Meyler.
Which team do you play with?
McCarthy: I just mix it up. I've got the new one back home and I play with my wee cousins. They're always coming over and having a game with me. It's a great game and it's good to switch off and spend some time on the computer.
James McCarthy appears in FIFA 13 Ultimate Team where you can build, manage and compete with your own Ultimate Team. Sign up now via PlayStation Network and Xbox Live. For more information visit ea.com/intl/football/
