Seamus a true leader with steel and a fighting spirit
Eamondunphy
HE GOT his maths mixed up, but Jamie Carragher found plenty agreed with him this week on Monday Night Football.
Carragher was on duty with Sky for Tottenham’s 5-0 drubbing of Everton.
At half-time, Everton were 3-0 down and Carragher focused on their dismal defending — and how it could lead to their relegation from the top flight for the first time in 71 years.
“When we talk about a team being too good to go down, well that’s because we look at Everton’s strikers — Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin — this back four is a Championship back four,” said Carragher.
“There’s absolutely no doubt about this whatsoever... Séamus Coleman, I actually feel sorry for him, he’s been a great full-back for Everton, but right now this is happening far too much, where people are just running in behind him.
“And that goes back to Everton’s recruitment, that Séamus Coleman’s still playing right now.”
Coleman was actually part of a back three, not a back four, but Carragher wasn’t the only pundit to single him out.
In a radio interview, Pat Nevin — a former Everton player — declared that Coleman is on the way out and that Nathan Patterson, signed from Rangers in January, will replace him.
“Coleman’s days are numbered there. He’s had his time. Patterson is top quality. He’s going to come on, he’s going to be absolutely fine,’’ said Nevin.
Class
“Patterson actually started against Boreham Wood, they brought him off for Coleman at half-time. The Everton fans actually applauded every single thing Patterson did, because they could spot right away he’s class.
“It’s not the same Séamus Coleman, and that’s paying a compliment to saying how brilliant he was. It’s not that he’s incapable of going forward, but if he goes forward, he won’t get back in time now.
“It looks like a number of teams are trying to play him. But it’s not just Séamus. He’s not the worst player in that defensive line today, not by a long shot.
“He’s still doing all the right things when he’s supposed to be doing them, but in terms of the pace... at this level, it’s getting really, really hard for Séamus.”
There are plenty of Everton fans on Coleman’s back, too — both at games and online.
Are they being fair to the man who still captains both his club and country?
The manner in which Coleman’s form has come under scrutiny has taken me by surprise.
To be honest, I haven’t noticed any massive decline in terms of his performances.
Everton have problems all over the pitch — it’s wrong to single Coleman out.
He is playing in a very poor team that has been through a huge amount of upheaval — on and off the pitch.
Players coming and going, five managers in less than four years.
Three different men in the dug-out this season alone — Rafael Benitez, Frank Lampard and, in a caretaker capacity, Duncan Ferguson.
But what is striking is so many have put their faith in Coleman.
He’s been a regular under every manager since David Moyes, and has been Everton captain under their last four managers.
Regarded
For good measure, he’s been the Ireland captain under the last three managers.
Coleman was on the
Premier League team of the season in the past and he’s widely regarded as a model pro and a role model.
When you have such a good reputation, it can actually work against you when things aren’t going well for your team.
That’s especially the case when you’re wearing the captain’s armband.
Coleman has set very high standards for h throughout his car such a high-profile fi is getting a lot of pointed at him.
Suffered
Coleman was 33 in and, five years a month, suffered a br while playing for against Wales. Such injury takes its toll.