Everton were humbled 6-2 against Spurs on Sunday evening, with the Everton defence enduring a particularly tough evening, and Ireland's Seamus Coleman has taken on a lot of criticism following his part in Everton's capitulation.
On Match of The Day Kevin Kilbane called the Toffee's performance 'tactically inept', which goes a little way to explaining how Everton were so exposed at Goodison.
Seamus Coleman's post match interview gave another hint as to the reason for Everton's capitulation, stating that his team were 'out fought' on the day.
While many of the Everton fanbase have been quick to label Coleman as finished at this level, even the Liverpool Echo wrote that the Donegal man was 'out of his depth' against an in-form Heung Son Min, it seems very early to write off the 30-year-old's ability to compete in a team that is challenging for European places.
With green tinted lenses on, does Marco Silva's playing style have anything to do with Coleman's drop in popularity among his supporters?
Full backs encouraged to push up might suit the likes of Lucas Digne, who has the pace to recover in a counter attack, perhaps Coleman should be allowed to sit a bit deeper to give him a better chance against the opposition.
To have Coleman pushing up leaving Son with a head start and acres of space to run into was naive at best, and you'd imagine that positional choice came from the manager rather than the player.
To go back to the match, the absence of the energetic Idrissa Gueye obviously impacted Everton's chances of stemming a fluid Spurs attack in midfield, and there does appear to be a real focus on Coleman as a focal point for Everton fan's disdain, even though many Everton players (Pickford/Zouma) underperformed in the loss.
For Christian Eriksen's third goal, Coleman was undoubtedly at fault. After getting himself in a great clearing position, Coleman headed the ball back into a dangerous area in front of goal, with the Dane producing an exquisite strike which whistled past a recovering Coleman and Pickford in goals.
Obviously the supporters ire is accumulative, Coleman endured another bad day at the office against Watford recently, with an unfortunate own goal giving the Hornets the lead in a game that would end in Lucas Digne clawing back a point from a delightful free-kick in the dying minutes.
Of course when a person's career can be cast aside after a few bad games, the Killybegs native was an obvious target for the fan's frustration:
REMINDER: It only takes one second to say:
- I love you.
- I apologize.
- Can we talk?
- You were right.
- Seamus Coleman is Finished and we need a new Right Back in JanuaryStop letting your pride & ego hold you hostage from the happiness in life.
— J ?? (@DigneRole) December 23, 2018
stick tom davies at right back idec at this point just anyone but seamus coleman
— milly (@hashtagmilly) December 23, 2018
Seamus Coleman is on a level par with Phil Bardsley and Danny Simpson as a right full back. As such, he should be nowhere near starting games for #Everton
— John Merro (@johnmerro1) December 23, 2018
Agree or not? I still believe in Pickford just think he's avin a bad spell. I love Seamus Coleman but there is no room for sentiment. Not good enough to be starting games sadly. I wouldn't bat an eye lid if Walcott got jibbed as well. https://t.co/65rP7lGAqt
— Anthony Scotland (@ScottyTMJ) December 23, 2018
#EVETOT what was Seamus Coleman at today, he was brutal, best days are well and truly behind him.
— John O'leary (@JohnOle32403503) December 23, 2018
Regardless of opinions, Marco Silva seems content to persist with Coleman at right back, and though the tide of public opinion has turned against the defender following his heartening comeback from a double leg break, there's enough fight left in Coleman to ensure that his struggle with the Everton boo boys will be one of the more intriguing battles of the season.
