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Coleman's Source anyone?

In all probability now, Fellaini will be missing against Chelsea. I thought today what we needed most of all was a more forceful attacking option down our right hand side — we just did not get that from the Neville — Donovan pairing. We just did not test their fullbacks.

This is a problem for me. Neville is a bit of a jack of all trades master of none. I am not Neville bashing here but I do feel — from what little I have seen of the Irishman — that Coleman gives us a whole lot more as an attacking force — he aint that bad either at defending.

Neville will not and, let's face it, cannot beat a fullback and get to the byline -— or better still to the penalty area. He is better sitting in front of the back four breaking things up but, then again, not as good as Fellaini at that — but he is the Captain (and will not be dropped) — so a bit of a headache for Moyes there. Perhaps now though this headache might ease for one or two games.

From what I have seen from Coleman he can offer us an attacking force, overlaps and can beat players. I fear that now that Phil has made the Right-back berth his own and there is no room in midfield now that Felli has found his comfort zone that Coleman will remain an enigma - despite demonstrating that he is ready at this level. For me this is a great shame.

However, it looks like now he will get his chance against Chelsea. I hope he pushes Neville back into midfield to replace the injured Fellaini in the defensive midfield role and gives Seamus a run out — like he did against Spurs. I personally think it will reap dividends and I also feel it would have today. I believe we had all of the tools in the toolbox today to dismantle Liverpool's game-plan but we just did not use them correctly I am afraid — for me this is the most disappointing thing of the day. I think Coleman would have given us that spark more so than Anichebe coming off the bench....
Steve Callaghan, liverpool Posted 06/02/2010 at 16:24:05

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Keith Slinger
1 Posted 07/02/2010 at 17:37:23

A good post Steve, and I totally agree; however, we shall see what DM comes up with as it's Chelsea.

Aiden Jones
2 Posted 07/02/2010 at 20:45:14

massive call to put in an inexperienced full back in against the best team in the league , especially as Chelsea attack well down the left with the runs of Cole. I see your argument Steve , not sure DM will.

Iain Love
3 Posted 08/02/2010 at 08:23:45

Posted in another thread about how we are probably safe now and need wins to get anything out of this season. I agree with Steve about Coleman's threat and I was always taught that the best form of defense is attack.

Neville is the one to replace Felliani in the middle, unless Rodwell is back, and as Hibbert is still injured and Neill has gone, Coleman is the one for R/B.

Aiden agree about Cole but maybe Coleman's pace will fare better against him than Neville's experience.

Michael Brien
4 Posted 09/02/2010 at 07:25:01

I totally agree Steve, yes Coleman is inexperienced but he is slightly older than the average squad player of his "game time". He played a very important role in the comeback against Spurs. I think he has great potential and within a couple of seasons I think he could be the regular "right back" (if they still call them that these days).

In my opinion. he shows signs of being a better full back than Baines.He seems to know when to link up with the attack and when to defend. I still feel Baines is not so good defensively.

In the Derby match I would have put Neville in midfield and brought Coleman on rather than Arteta. I would not want to have risked our best play maker in a match with such tackles flying in and in a situation were the tempers were getting worse. I think the world of Arteta — can’t believe he hasn’t been capped by Spain — but he has had less than 45 minutes in match play and I felt it was a big risk.

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