Séamus Coleman (D Everton b.1988)

It wasn't obvious to me tbh. Several here suggested Coleman as a right sided centre back in a back 3 over the last couple of years but I just don't see him as having the attributes needed, and have said so. Obviously I'd be very happy to be proven wrong.

Yer man O'Connell at Sheffield United seems to be setting a good example / template of the role though - at times he's like on overlapping full back he gets so far forward in wide positions, which is rare to see in a back 3 player. So, yeah, Coleman can definitely do that part. Will an Irish third centre-back ever be given license to attack at will? Will an Irish midfield ever afford us that luxury?

On a kind of related note McCarthy must have been smoking dope prior to Geneva when he picked Stevens as the left sided third centre back in the starting XI. If you're looking for a stick to beat Mick with it's this rather than not picking Coleman in a similar (right sided) role.

My main concern with the three centreback system is that you need time to drill it in. Not just for the back three, but also for the players further forward who will need to protect those defenders if they push forward.

As we're aware, Martin O'Neill tried to implement this system during the Nations League -- and it failed. It doesn't mean it's not an experiment worth looking at again, I just don't know when Mick would have a chance to fully get players to understand/buy in to that vision.

I do very much like the suggestion of trying Coleman at the defensive midfield position. That would also be an experiment of sorts but in my view less radical than overhauling our whole system. I'm open to any idea that allows us to play both Coleman and Doherty.

Dropped (or hopefully rested) today

Looking great tonight so far against Liverpool
Had a good first half and has had an imperious 10 minutes versus Mane. Hope he keeps it up.

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Looking great tonight so far against Liverpool
Had a good first half and has had an imperious 10 minutes versus Mane. Hope he keeps it up.

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Agree, looks back to his best.

Man of the match, in fact.

Great to see. He was excellent last night.

Great stuff looks like he needed a break from Football.

Egan and Stevens not so much.

Honestly, can’t remember anyone ever handling Sadio Mane so well...

Seamus has a solid game he is having the korean dude in his pocket. Best Everton player by a mile second best James R.
Very good game from Doherty as well, missed a golden chance to scored the bounced tricked him badly,... donkey richardlison is retreating next to him all the time.

I just love your one-eyed enthusiasm for Irish players, Javier.

If Argentina played Ireland who would you support?

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Originally Posted by Trequartista20

I just love your one-eyed enthusiasm for Irish players, Javier.

If Argentina played Ireland who would you support?

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for Ireland , we already won the wc twice. In a friendly, a draw. we played the last time , 1-0 with a dimaria gol i think Cililan Sheridan had a good game up front and gave the defenders a torrid game. It was a Martin O'Neill team

Coleman has been excellent. Looked like he was really going to have his hands full with Son early on, but has been more than able for him and everything else.

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Originally Posted by DeLorean

Coleman has been excellent. Looked like he was really going to have his hands full with Son early on, but has been more than able for him and everything else.

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A Paul McGrath performance, he even had a chance to score. Doherty was very good as well and was wrongly replaced, Spurs wasnt dangerous on the right anymore. His replacement did everything wrong.

[QUOTE=Bielsa´s irish;2048210]for Ireland , we already won the wc twice. In a friendly, a draw. we played the last time , 1-0 with a dimaria gol i think Cililan Sheridan had a good game up front and gave the defenders a torrid game. It was a Martin O'Neill team[/QUOTE

Good for you. I know you've good time for Sheridan.

The commentator on my feed described Coleman’s performance as “immaculate,” and I’d have to agree. Regardless of what’s in store internationally for him, I’m delighted he’s been able to come back and perform so well at club level. As I typed out here at half time, I’d have him in at right fullback for Slovakia.

His form has been impressive recently. He looked very good after the restart last term; fit and close to his best again.

I think it's important he start the Slovakia match.

We need as many leaders on the pitch as possible.

I'm inclined to agree. I wish Doherty had been tried on the right of the front three by Kenny during the two friendlies. I think he could offer a lot there.

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé

I'm inclined to agree. I wish Doherty had been tried on the right of the front three by Kenny during the two friendlies. I think he could offer a lot there.

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doherty cant play up front. He can play right back left back and central midfielder or right midfielder in a 4-3-3

but cant play a right forward. Place Shane Long or Obafemi there for instance. Doherty can play right mid in a 4-3-3

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Originally Posted by Olé Olé;2048230

I'm inclined to agree. I wish Doherty had been tried on the right of the front three by Kenny during the two friendlies. I think he could offer a lot there.

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Aside from the Gibraltar match where we were awful all over the park as we laboured to a 0-1 win, he's never really been given a proper chance to combine with Coleman on the right-hand side.

He played very high up the park for Wolves - often their most advanced player and sometimes being caught offside as a result. And he got his fair share of goals and assists

I see absolutely no reason why he couldn't play further forward for us. Especially when there's no outstanding candidate for the right wing position.

When Charlton had two very good leftbacks in Phelan and Staunton available, and Kevin Sheedy's career fell into decline, he chose to play both on the left flank. Why can't we do similar?

Sometimes you've got to cut your cloth a little bit and try and get your best players on the pitch. I'm not sure we're good enough to do otherwise.