Everton captain Coleman must show leadership tomorrow

In tomorrow’s derby Everton captain Seamus Coleman must show the leadership on the pitch that has been lacking by him and so many of the Blues’ players.

The Irishman has been a fine servant for Everton over the years since his signing for that often sung £60,000 or so.

He has had a solid career and has been a bit of bargain buy for sure but in recent years age and injuries have really caught up with him.

Finding a replacement for him has become an urgent need but one that the club’s hierachy have consistently failed to do as transfer window after window has come and gone.

So, the Toffees’ remain dependent on a full-back who has obviously seen his best days and struggles to deliver the sort of dynamic performances he used to.

However, it’s his leadership that has been most questioned lately. As club captain, the most experienced player and a man who knows the club so well, it’s down to him to show some real leadership and push his team-mates harder.

But, he’s not really been doing that and his constant pleas with fans that he understands their frustration at the end of another defeat, has begun to grate on the supporters who spend their hard-earned money to watch him and the other players consistently fail to deliver.

Rather than try to placate the fans at the end of a match that has been lost, Coleman needs to show the additional fight and determination to lead by example and try to inspire the rest of the side to find an extra level to their game.

Well, tomorrow comes a Merseyside derby that will always be a huge test of any Everton player’s metal and where a cool-headed, but still steely and determined captain is needed.

This is particularly true for a team struggling with injuries and very poor form facing their biggest rivals in a match of huge significance in front of a very angry and alienated fan base. A few soild challenges and some genuine passion early on to help set the tempo will do him no harm.

Coleman has the chance tomorrow to help restore the strained connection between supporters and himself as captain and the players generally, when Everton host their neighbours.

Let’s hope he can do just that and perhaps contribute to a performance and who knows maybe even a result that will be long remembered and might just help this team turn the corner.