Seamus Coleman steps up recovery, takes part in individual training

I think both injuries were caused in training, that's if they have injuries. Tim wasn't used for the cup game with a slight twinge; Charly's injury is a mystery.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was used in this transfer window for a fee or a swap for another player. I got the feeling when he was substituted in his last appearance that he had quite enough of Moyes, walking past him as he came off.

We've wasted millions of pounds on a player who's clearly not fit for purpose and then not prioritised the functioning attacking full-back we've needed for years.

I can't see Seamus leaving before the summer myself.

Is right. The wages paid to Coleman for the last 3 years have been ridiculous.

£60k for a player is rapidly being offset by the £10M we are paying for a cheerleader.

He must be pissing himself.

You have the benefit of hindsight. Surely you don’t think the expectation was ever for Seamus to miss so many games?

There was certainly an element of optimism in the decision(s) but that was at least partly due to the clubs finances / inability to recruit at the necessary standard, and only ‘ridiculous’ if his physical deterioration could have been reliably predicted or we have opted to pass on decent candidates just to keep Seamus on the head-count.

3 starts in 2025/26.

5 starts in 2024/25.

8 starts in 2023/24.

If we had moved him into the Academy structure to gain coaching experience, fair enough.

It is the sort of sentimental decision-making that has plagued us for decades.

It reminded me of the time in his previous mangership of Everton when Jasper ?, can’t remember his name, was on loan from Man. Unt. and he kicked a bottle of water over when Moyes took him off and Moyes ran over and grabbed him and had a good go at him, for the benefit of the crowd in my opinion, not sure if he played for Everton again.

I think Charly was giving Moyes the two finger salute for taking him off— Charly looks like he’s got the measure of Moyes and many of us realise Moyes doesn’t fancy Charly— that’s why I wouldn’t be surprised if Alcaraz is used in this transfer window.

I too like Alcaraz and I hope he stays and fits in with whoever takes us forwards next season.

Re Coleman, I can understand people thinking the club were wrong to offer him the money but I can't understand people getting personal with the man himself? "a disgrace"?, "irrelevant"?

Somebody else had a right dig at him on the Live Forum for the Man Utd game when he went off injured. He didn't quit the game and abandon the team - he was injured.
He's always acquitted himself well for our club and has been a fine servant and representative. I'm pretty sure he backs himself to deliver and works hard on his fitness. Why the ire towards the man himself?

Its not his fault the club haven't brought in his successor.

My take on Alcaraz is, given the minutes he gets in and out of the team, he tries too hard to show he can play, feels like he has to do something spectacular every time he is in possession.

My feeling is if he got a run of games he would settle.
His first thought is "Can I play a forward pass?" Only if it's not on will he go back or square.

I bet you a virtual shed of dosh that Adam Aznou isn't as swashbuckling in his next game, whenever that may be.
Shackles.

I wish he was better... sadly, a luxury in a team like Everton.

Fair enough... and you were right, the thread was about Seamus. I agree completely about Seamus the man, I couldn't say enough about him. Me and Tony met him once in a restaurant and had a bit of banter with him, his wife and kids, just like talking to another down-to-earth Evertonian.

I have to agree, though, his last 3 years as a player haven't been value for money... but who's going to refuse that contract?

John (10)

Yes, I think Alcaraz hasn't had a real crack at a permanent position and as you say tries really hard to impress and prove his worth. He's had his bad games no doubt but so have a few others and they seem to be irreplaceable.

I'm not sure we could get good value financially if he moves even though I think he could turn out to be a very good player in the future when he settles down. He does seem to have a restless nature but he is a young man and travelling broadens the mind, he might turn out to be a footballing genius!

Probably why he can't keep his place in a winning team.

You have a very short memories.

So the club have wasted millions on a player signed in 2009 for €60k, a true legend who's been unlucky with injuries the last 3 years which is hardly his fault.

He's a true professional -- you don't even acknowledge the previous 14 years superb service he gave to our club. Frank Lampard said he was the best captain he ever had.

I think the words I used about the certain failure of offering Coleman an extended contract 3 years ago were "forgone conclusion". He was 34 and had suffered that injury against Leicester.

I could have understood it if Seamus the player had ever gotten close to being as good as Seamus the "legend"... but he never did. I often wonder whose bright idea it was to give him another contract at 34?

The fact that this ridiculous fuck-up was repeated when he was 35 and again when he was 36 defies belief and was, as Mike rightly points out, a disgrace. It wouldn't have happened at any other club.