Seamus Coleman to lead Everton into a new era at Bramley-Moore Dock

No mention of coaching?

It’s done!!

It's nice to be vindicated.

Here's hoping for the first time in years, the players and the fans can be optimistic in the season ahead, and not be looking over our shoulder.

New era, new home. Moyes knows best!

I really hope he's a good coach because this 'jobs for the boys' mentality is one of the reasons we've been second rate for so long!

What utter bollocks, if you don't mind me saying.

I hope it works, no doubting his commitment and professionalism but it still seems a risky decision.

Both will therefore be judged on how well he does in that department, and I hope for his sake that his fading on-pitch attributes don't expose him, his teammates and his manager.

If we go into the new season with those 3 as our only choices, we're in trouble.

"Seamus is more than just a player at Everton. He offers so many different qualities.'

Clearly the decision is based on more than just his first team appearances. That's the choice the manager has made and he'll have his reasons for it.

To describe him as always being a bang average full back is extremely harsh though! Thought Colin was back for a minute there. 🤣

Doubt Dixon is good enough for the Premier League. From what I've seen (about 10 U21 matches last season), he's lacking in many areas.

If you think 10 years in the Premier League and international scene is bang average, then I would love to know who you do rate.

He has got the pace and puts a decent cross in but his concentration and application have gone.

Having said that, I thought he acquitted himself well in that first senior game. But probably not able to maintain that level.

If Everton need a right-back they should be getting a right-back.

I wasn't expecting that, I'm not sure I'm in favour.

In the squad and captain when he's not on the field ok, but we need another right back.

It could mean Patterson is on his way. Dixon is pacey, but raw. I'd listen to the likes of Brent, who watches the U21s more. Maybe loan or just involved in the squad more?

I still think we'll bring in a right back. As Liam says, Seamus brings more to the dressing room than his playing ability now.

A great player and ambassador for Everton without doubt leading by example on the pitch and in the dressing room. But his legs have gone , and his injury problems have worsened over the last couple of seasons. .

I don't know what he's being paid but it's likely to be in excess of a million over the year. Does the club have that sort of money to fork out to support what is in essence a sentimental gesture? Sorry, I don't think so.

If the club values his continued presence in other ways ,so be it, but create a role for him and be honest about it. The time comes when all players' careers come to an end and they and the clubs they play for have to move on.

We need all the money we have to improve the quality of our playing staff. How does this contribute to that aim?

I have zero doubt that we will be bringing in a starting right back. Remember that our window -- the post-PSR window -- opens Tuesday.

Have you even watched Everton beyond the last 5 years? You say "bang average" 🤣 — 0he was probably the best right back in the Premier League at his prime.

Honestly, that baffles me.

Coleman has certainly done that in the past, but how can some applaud a decision to re-contract him as a player and captain but then talk about getting a replacement for him to deliver the goods on the pitch?

Smacks of a decision laced with too much sentimentality to me.

In the grand scheme of the billions floating around the Premier League, Sxty Grand Seamie's salary shouldn't be on anyone's whinge list. It's pocket money.

I'm not sure… but I think I read he was on £50k plus per week and that's a lot for a player who will probably not feature very often. Does anyone know if he's on reduced terms?

Anyway, it's another body in the building and I'm sure we'll strengthen with more new signings soon enough.

I can't wait for the new season.

It's not uncommon now for there to be a club captain and a player captain. There is a pecking order.

Seamus will be club captain. Tarkowski mostly the player captain, with Pickford as backup.

That's how I see it.

Could we save a few pounds and perhaps have the same player fulfil both roles? There's a thought.

Yes, we all love him, blah, blah, nice bloke etc. But he cannot play at this level anymore.

We all know that. I saw it, in particular towards the end of last season. The legs were gone. Maybe the injuries catching up. If he stays injury-free, he could still play a part, and Moyes, the man in charge, talks about his other qualities. He's calling the shots.

I'm as surprised as anyone, but we have a medical staff, manager and recruitment team to make judgement better than I can do.

He could also start the game, be substituted and then be interviewed on the touchline as interviews with substituted players seem as if they are on the agenda next season along with camera operators also being 'allowed to briefly enter the field of play to film close-ups of goal celebrations.'

And no doubt film close-ups of the shirt sponsors.

Anyway, sorry, that was off topic...

Does anyone know whether there is a general area where off topic comments can be added rather than having to hijack threads or start a new thread...cheers

You've deserved it.

Exactly, Danny.

Cheered by the reporting that we are in for Tim Weah from the US and Juventus after he rejected a move to Forest. Wing/RB with searing pace who would be a perfect fit for us IMO.

Pretty much every home game since1958 and for the last 13 years every home and away game. In that time, I've seen some great players but I'm afraid Coleman isn't one of them.

Maybe 'bang average' was a bit harsh but his great attitude and enthusiasm etc doesn't make him a great player.

Now, Brearley was at best an average batsman, certainly not in the top 500. The admirable Arlott selected him for his captaincy (which, to be fair, is monumentally more important in cricket than football).

However, it was about man management. In the Botham - Willis Ashes, Brearley was the third man. He made average players better and he made good players legends.

We shouldn't be paying overly extravagant wages for a player who it seems will barely play because of injuries. I'd say a player/coach role would've made sense. Maybe that will be the case but with no formal statement.

Glad you see what plenty of others seem unable to. 💙

That realization should now bring a full stop to any further comments from fans on the wisdom or otherwise of our player recruitment.

However, we've had medical staff, managers and recruitment teams making judgements on the appointments and recruitment of this club's players for the past success-starved decades, so why exactly should we be assuaged by their judgement this time round?

Seamus in his prime was a top full-back in the Premier League. Why all the whinging about his salary? That's between him and the club.

Hopefully Seamus will be fit and injury free this season, and he's well capable of playing games… just not every match this season.

Because we have a manager who we know is canny in his selection of players.

Compared to the complete bunch of arsebadgers we've had instead.

I'm also sure it's a reduced wage with a plan to help him transition into his next role in football. He's deserving of that, in my opinion.

So I think it would help Seamus if his salary was made known because it seems very generous if he is signing in for another year at the wages he's being getting for the last few years.

If he is getting the same wages, then these new owners don't seem as ruthless as they have been perceived as being — especially if they are letting Moyes give these wages out for a player who is well past his best as a player.

I really hope Jake's and Ernie's take on Seamus's wages are correct because it is important for us fans to see which way the owners are operating.

What footballers earn seems to be, rightly or wrongly, in the public domain, so I agree it would be a reflection of the intentions of our new owners.

They haven't revealed the salary details... is that not the norm?

If TFG are the single-minded businessmen we are led to believe by Mike G, why did they allow this contract extension to go ahead?

Doesn't seem like good business to me.

Surely the "logical" thing is that those who are charged with running the club... call the shots.

Does anyone know whether there is a general area where off-topic comments can be added rather than having to hijack threads or start a new thread.

We'd very much prefer it if you did start a new thread, in the General area, unless it is an Everton topic different from the main thread.

This is very easy to do at this Submissions Page. But there is clearly a reluctance to use this facility. I think it must be because it is not published immediately, whereas an off-topic post on an existing thread is.

The new owners are in the process of reworking the site so we'll see what happens in this regard and if improvements can be made. But in the meantime, please use this page to submit any new item you have.

Thanks!

Yes, it can stray, but always come back to the topic, or, as Michael says, start one based on your own subject depending on what you want to talk about.

It's easily done.

[Link added up top]

It ain't that easy on here... Anyone who steps up with an article... Res... pec..T

If that was to be the style of management, then we would probably have extended Doucoure's contract and offered Gana Gueye terms that he would have already signed up to, maybe Calvert-Lewin too.

I suspect those days are gone and not likely to return under the new regime.

Never just type and go, read it before you submit it, think about the points you're trying to make and just why you are making them.

Whilst facts are notoriously thin on the ground when it comes to making any article (it is of course your perspective), it is the interpretation of those facts that can emphasize your article.

But it's fun, a real pleasure (mostly, lol) and you learn from many whilst adding your tuppence into the pool.

Good luck, be brave of heart and be prepared for the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune on replies!

That may not be possible for 2 or 3 years yet… if it is ever possible.

We make a lot of the saying, "When Everton touch you" but in the changing room it's because of the love and passion players such as Coleman bring to every player that makes you realise just where that saying originates. Players like Seamus are rare, they have their own greatness that can make or break youngsters and grown men.

I don't expect to see him on the pitch many times this season; if we do, it will be surprising, but I suspect his game-day impact will be felt before and after every game in the changing room.

That's not sentiment, that's performance enhancement.

That said, he is shot at this level. I hope he is a cheap 'totem' because we can't afford expensive ones. When the window opens, we need 6-9 new players, one of which must be a proper right-back, fit for the Premier League. Maybe even two, with Seamus as 3rd choice in an emergency.

It will mean a lot for him to lead us out at the new stadium. He has earned it.

If a clone of him could be created from his attitude, dedication, probity and loyalty, I'd expect all clubs to buy in 100% to his qualities.

That said, though, he's now far from a quality Premier League player.

The likes of Seamus being realistically expected to impart the "Everton-ness" we mere fans extol, to a dressing room all but full of temporary, ever-avaricious, "professional" players and their leech-agents, is to my mind fanciful.

As a coach, does he have the understanding of the demands of the current world of so-called professional football, and the ability to inject inspiration above and beyond, as he's always striven to do with regard to himself?

I doubt it, and that's no criticism of him.

To me he's a fabulous, cherished anachronism in the current, and for many years now, soulless Premier League and those few clubs who prosper from it.

Thanks for the info re submitting new articles.

Have done that in the past and more recently with the infamous trilogy about Calvert-Lewin and Beto, although that was AI generated! Part 4 about AI's take on characteristics of ToffeeWebbers didn't quite make it through to ToffeeWeb although was submitted. However, I did leave it your discretion. Probably for the best not to be published as it might have got me banned! :)

I agree with your reasoning about a possible reluctance to use the submissions facility particularly with off-topic posts. It's very easy just to put a para or two off-topic post on an existing thread especially if it's more of a throw away comment and when the poster probably feels that the comment doesn't perhaps warrant a separate thread.

Anyway, back on topic. I am pleased Seamus is still with us and has the extended contract.

He of course can't be held accountable for the poor performances of sub-standard players performing alongside of him but, whatever influence he may have exerted on the pitch and in the dressing room, it doesn't appear to have made much of an impact in the wider scheme of things.

Immense as a player in his day, no doubt, but his day has come and I've yet to read an intelligent explanation on this thread why it is sensible to extend his contract as a player apart from the banal “Well, Moyes likes him, so that's good enough” response.

Could we not lose all the saccharine sentiment and recognise that we need a decent right-back actually playing on the pitch as well as a captain doing the same.

Are all the newly recruited players really going to show deference to a past player they don't know uttering sage words about the club while sitting in a clean kit within the dressing room?

I believe you are exactly 100% off target. I would say that our avoidance of relegation under the often-desperate circumstances of the past four seasons, and the passion displayed on the pitch in doing so, is spectacular evidence indeed of Seamus's inspirational leadership. And his managers have said so.

Dave #49, Seamus's salary will be made known in due time, when all the players' pay numbers are published in sources like Spotrac, FBref, Capology and FootyStats. I highly doubt he's going to announce his own package, or have the club do so, simply to justify it to skeptical fans.

Stu #55, it doesn't to you. It does to them. They've made thousands of such decisions, and judging by their net worth, most of 'em have turned out pretty well.

He has been genuinely unique and refreshing in his approach to Everton and modern top-flight football, which I agree, he won't be able to perform to the levels he has been known for over the years. His playing role will be reduced; he will still play a part.

Craig @72, although Seamus's leadership on the pitch is one part. It is probable his influence will be off the pitch, be that at Finch Farm or in the dressing room. And yes, the players will listen.

On the pitch, I expect his appearances to be limited, so Tarkowski will continue in that role.

Ralph's playing was a revelation. The range he got from his guitars was incredible. He wasn't, in my opinion, up there with the greats like Hendrix, Clapton, Beck or Page but definitely an incredibly skilled guitarist.

Under the structural changes of TFG, I have confidence that this main issue will be dealt with. There is always be 5% that are able to stay on, but Everton should be able to progress.

When Colin described Seamus as bang average, he was talking currently and he is right. He has not got the pace to recover a position in the Premier League and his effective wing play has decreased. This is why I question his contract extension.

As for his selfless Everton attitude, I would think of that more as determination to keep playing both at club and international level. His attitude has little effect on the teams he has played for and he has probably discouraged any replacement for his position. Neither teams that he has played for have performed consistently to the required level. At times, they have been woeful.

Determination is a team effort rather than an individual effort to challenge in competitions. Though Seamus does have the badges, he cannot contribute to this at Everton without proven experience at other clubs. I therefore would question this extension and his contribution to Everton going forward.

His coaching skills are as yet undeveloped. Being a Yes-man for the manager is not a good idea. Why does Moyes think it is???

And how do you know that “his attitude has little effect on the teams he has played for”? You've been in the dressing rooms have you? If you're going to indulge in pure speculation, then I would venture that he's had a massive effect on keeping us up – but I'd never dream of posting that as fact.

I can just imagine there would've been people criticising Dixie Dean for not tracking back, even after he scored 60 goals in a season.

However, he only scored 26 the following season. Many on here would have no doubt been calling for his transfer.

The Friedkin Group have got the finances under very healthy control.

Thanks, Messrs Moshiri and Kenwright.

1. A new right-back. Seamus as backup alongside Patterson, with Dixon out on loan.

2. A new right-back. Seamus and Dixon as backup. Patterson sold.

Either way, we need a new right-back.

His determination to stay playing and being allowed to when he is not at the right playing level for the Premier League is not in the best interests of the team. Everton are not at the level of their potential,l and have not been for years, so his determination and influence on the team is questionable, since he has been playing for the team for years.

It may be he was trying, but obviously he was hitting his head off a brick wall. It certainly didn't encourage a replacement for his position, as Everton are still searching for a right-back after many attempts.

One of the first things the Friedkins did when they took over was to pour millions of their own cash into the club to give the club a very healthy financial foundation, getting rid of extortionate interest rates in the process.

There simply aren't any “massive” debts anymore.

Whenever Séamus's wages are announced, there is no way they can be justified if they are the same as he has been on for the last few years.

It is obvious to most fans that Seamus's best days are long gone and I'd much rather be a sceptic over this subject rather than saying "The club know what they doing in giving him this new contract as a player."

The fans will judge him on what he can do now as a player; what we have seen in the last two seasons will be a big help to their judgement.

Tete in, Patterson out, Dixon loan.

O'Brien and Coleman as back-ups.

As for playing, he is absolutely finished and will hopefully be third choice and concentrate on moving on to coaching.

He generally gets injured when he plays now anyway, as his body is knackered and can't handle it anymore. So I doubt and/or hope that we won't see too much of him on the playing side.

Dixon, Patterson and Young have all been ahead of Coleman at some point before it took Moyes to realise that O'Brien could do a decent job there. Absolutely nothing to do with Coleman, who we all recognise is way past his best and injury prone.

He's been retained for next season to make the numbers up, like Young was previously, recognising the undoubted positive influence he has on the squad. He won't play much.

The fact that he's still there as a player is because, still with limited funds, we have other more important issues to address.

Those debts are par for the course for clubs like Arsenal, Tottenham who've built new stadiums, and Liverpool to a certain extent for their giant hole puncher; but it's manageable debt as opposed to Moshiri paying off loan sharks.

We're not in bad financial health.

Why they are haggling over giving him a 2-year contract is nonsense – he was our best player last season, rarely gets injured, and I believe, like Ashley Young, he will be able to play at this level till he is nearing his 40s.

Yes, we will need a replacement and maybe next season he might not play every game, but at present we need him.

You can usually tell if a team is 'at it' in the first 10 minutes.
It seems Moyes is giving him a contract chiefly to keep the players on their toes.

Playing-wise, I think he will only be used as a last resort.

But if he gets a 2-year deal, expect lots of posts about wasting money and giving contracts to OAPs 🤣

Brian @93, Gana was an example last season. He never stops and still has plenty left for two seasons.

I think you should read Colin's comment again, what part of 'always been bang average' is meant as currently, and as for his attitude and others questioning his inspiration on the field?

Didn't our former manager Lampard praise him for being one of the best full-backs and captains he ever worked with and it wasn't just sentiment.

'Colin' got kiboshed after one wind up too many?

Poor Seamus, he's been getting some rather undeserved grief!

He was raiding up the wing like Garrincha, had a row with Peter Crouch and grabbed him by the shirt collar. We ended up pulling the game back and getting a point. He was only on for half an hour but he was my Man of the Match!

Remember that he has suffered some really bad injuries, missed a lot of essential playing time and no doubt rushed back due.

It almost wants me to think the second rendition of 60 grand should include "playing football in the Sligo / Donegal way"

Coleman great bloke but has been constantly injured the last 4 years.

His influence on the pitch has waned dramatically — that's if he can even get on it. He's too old to function as a full-back in the modern game. He can't get up and down the pitch.

Despite his inability to maintain fitness and play for the club he loves, he still selfishly plays for Ireland at the age of 36. Given his age and fitness issues, he should be solely focusing on Everton.

The love-in for Coleman was summarised when he started in the final game at Goodison when he obviously wasn't fit and lasted less than 20 minutes.

I thought these type of sentimental signings were a thing of the past. Let's re-sign Rooney whilst we're at it.

I think there is a difference in how Irish players see representing the national team. I am Irish and I think like many other smaller countries, many countries other an England if I am honest, there is a heartfelt pride in representing Ireland.

Not saying for one second that most English players are not justly immensely proud of representing their national team, but I do sense (as an outsider) more of a conflicted feeling from players and fans.

Seamus, like most Irish-born players, grew up playing GAA Gaelic Football and that is rooted in playing for the parish or county in which you were born. With that background and the history of Ireland, there is a different feeling, I would suggest, for Seamus being called up to represent Ireland. I don't think it is remotely fair to characterise that as selfish.

Ireland don't have a deep talent pool and we love to see commitment from the few lads we have playing at Premier League level. I would never question the right of lads, when picked, to represent their country, even if for our own selfish Everton reasons it can sometimes erode our playing squad. <

Delighted to have Seamus for one more year.

So why is it so selfish to play for the country he was born in?

If he was English, would you say the same?

This was also evident during his injury troubles when he kept up his international football, when it would have been better to concentrate on his recovery and playing for Everton. He was lucky he was playing for two mediocre teams who accepted below-par professionals which was part of the reason for their underperformance.

As both an Everton and Republic of Ireland fan, I thought that he should have been concentrating on his club career as through age he was becoming more prone to injuries and Everton needed full commitment in difficult times.

I have seen teams over the years have players who have played too long to the detriment of the team. They are often stalwarts of the club they play for but they do hold back progress and regeneration in the positions they play in. At a professional level, the resources they cost would be better spent on processing the team.

There are fewer prima donnas on the Irish and Welsh teams — and it shows.

Some players have given up international football early to prolong their careers, but I personally wouldn't call a player selfish for wanting to play for their country. It's their choice.

All valid points about the recent injuries, but the staff see him at Finch Farm daily, so know more than us. I think in this case, sentiment doesn't come into it.

I've already stated I was surprised at the news that Seamus had been awarded a new playing contract. Will he start or finish every game? Probably not. Is he useful backup to have in a position we need cover as we transition? Yes.

If my assumptions (not knowledge) of how the new structure works, Moyes's recommendation will have gone through the panel (I'll call it that), with the CEO rubber-stamping it.

I look at what The Glazers have done to Man Utd and it just takes me back to what Bill Kenwright did on a much smaller scale – whilst turning us into a much smaller insignificant club outside of our own fanbase.

The next couple of months are going to be very interesting, so let's just hope TFG's actions speak a lot louder than their silence!

That's what Kenwright was absolutely brilliant at — looking after his fuckin' self.

Who exactly do Everton, and not TFG, still owe such a huge amount of money to now, and will it be leveraged onto the club, in a similar way to how the Glazier’s, and our previous chairman, cleverly put the debt onto the club?

I don't know if TFG paid, but it seems they agreed to fund the remaining costs of the stadium and absorbed the debt left to them from the previous regime. Now they have restructured the debt to make it more manageable.

I think the signs so far have been encouraging. Putting their own mark on the club. A totally new board to manage the club for them and significantly improved marketing. Putting together a strategy that was lacking other than stay up and exist.

The next step will be to see what their ambition is where it matters; on the pitch. So yes, the next few weeks and months will tell us that.

Back to debt, if you look at TFG's portfolio of 21 major companies, including Everton and AS Roma, they will have sufficient funding across the board to absorb debt and expenditure.

I've probably exhausted and gone beyond my knowledge there.

I'm not 100% with this. He finished this season with an injury (I really believe that the Southampton cameo was planned that way – he wasn't match fit).

I don't remember thinking, before he was injured, that he wasn't match-fit, struggling? I think he's still got a role to play as back-up and club captain.

But I sincerely hope he's on a reduced salary at nearly 37. 282 minutes all last season just isn't good enough no matter who you are. Particularly after 752 minutes the season before.

I hope we've been sensible for what he is now.

Mark makes a good point though. He was either still carrying an injury or recovering and not match fit. I think the Southampton match was partly to allow him to be the last captain to lead Everton out at Goodison and was totally appropriate.