Moyes: rising starlet Coleman just like Bale

EVERTON manager David Moyes has compared Republic of Ireland starlet Seamus Coleman to Tottenham star Gareth Bale.

Bale has emerged as one of the hottest properties in Britain after a series of outstanding performances for Spurs, not least against European champions Inter Milan this week.

Yet Bale was not even a Spurs regular a year ago and Moyes sees similarities with Donegal man Coleman, who ended last season on loan at Blackpool. Moyes said: “Seamus has done great. He is getting games for us now, albeit probably not in his right position. We have played him wide on the right when he is a right-back. But the experience he is getting — there is a similarity to Bale.

“Bale is playing wide left but is really a left-back. It is getting him the games, there is a lot of competition at right-back here.

“I think it has been good for his development, hopefully he will have learned from it.”

Moyes believes Coleman is a better player for his spell away and the 22-year-old will get chance to remind Seasiders boss Ian Holloway of his talent as Everton travel to Bloomfield Road today.

“He went there and played in a team which was successful,” Moyes said. “He went right through to the (play-off) final. He has done fine but he has just had a little dip in the last week or two and we will need to assess exactly where we think he is.”

Meanwhile after his stinging attack on Stephen Ireland last weekend, Aston Villa boss Gerard Houllier now says he will give the Cobh man time to make his mark.

“He was better I would say this week,” said the Villa boss before the trip to Fulham.

“He showed a better commitment. Top level requires quality, which he has, but it also requires work rate and attitude and that probably has not been his game before. I will give him time.”