The Citizens have endured a tough time of late, losing four league games in succession to slip down to seventh in the Absa Premiership standings.
McCarthy has often been scathing of his players in the media, but insists he’s always honest and open with his squad, and is even envious of some of the qualities they possess.
“I think I give every player in the team enough freedom,” the City coach said.
“I’m not like a headmaster or school teacher or Hitler who runs behind them with a cane saying, ‘I want it my way or there’s the highway’. I’m very open and I speak to a lot of them.
“And listen, the qualities they possess, I would have loved to have some of those qualities when I was a player, and maybe I would’ve then played for Barcelona or Real Madrid.”
Some of McCarthy’s recent criticism has been directed at the older players in his side, and he has not been shy to field a number of youngsters, including Shane Roberts and Zukile Kewuti. And McCarthy’s feels their fearless approach has accelerated their rise within the team’s ranks.
“I give them [all players] freedom, but I think some of the younger players are embracing that more because they feel they have nothing to lose and everything to gain, and that’s why they go out there and leave everything on the field,” he said.
“If it goes good, then it goes good, if it doesn’t, they’re still young and are learning; whereas the senior players are more calculated [in their approach], thinking I will remove them after one mistake. So they play a more calculated game, so that’s why you see the younger players excelling quicker.
“But I’m not about judging or trying to trick anyone; I just want players to enjoy and play to their fullest ability, and that’s why they get to play in the side as I see what they do at training, and come game-time, they look more reserved which is a bit disappointing.”
McCarthy will hope his troops bounce back quickly from Tuesday’s defeat to Baroka FC tonight when they host Chippa United at Athone Stadium. Kick-off is at 20h00.