Coleman continues upward curve

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has already seen that Seamus Coleman is a star in the making.

It now appears the rest of the Premier League are discovering the same thing as the Ireland manager.

Coleman showed glimpses of what he was capable of last season, first with Everton, and then ironically, against opponents here Blackpool.

Now the 22-year-old is fulfilling that potential. Fresh from earning his first international call-up, Coleman has nailed down a spot on the right flank for Everton.

In the current climate where cash is king, Coleman is a refreshing alternative to those who suggest you can only buy your way to success.

Picking up bargain buys, polishing the gems and unearthing them at the top was the norm years ago.

In Coleman, it appears there’s a throwback to those days.

Everton manager David Moyes, with a growing injury list, stumbled upon converting the former Sligo man into a winger earlier this season.

And, just as Gareth Bale was pushed forward in an emergency by Tottenham, Coleman, has already done enough to suggest this could be a permanent spot following an eye-catching display and a maiden Premier League goal.

“You never know, it might just turn out to be his position,” said Moyes.

“It’s happened in football before. People switch positions and then find out they do that job better. We just don’t have anybody to do the job on the right flank at the moment.

“We were struggling there at the start of the season so we thought we’d give him a go there.

“He’s really good going forward and he showed that again here.”

They like a bargain buy in Blackpool. But the one that got away is Coleman.

Having spent the tail end of last season on loan at Bloomfield Road, Everton were reluctant to let him leave.

On this evidence you can see why.

Blackpool had been warned about Coleman. In fact, they should have known all about him following his short stint with the Tangerines.

But not even doing their homework on him was enough to prevent the catalyst for Everton’s comeback from doing damage throughout.

After Neal Eardley’s early free-kick was cancelled out by Tim Cahill’s header, Coleman tore Stephen Crainey to shreds as the hosts doubled up on him.

Once David Vaughan scrambled home after the break, the visitors responded immediately with the Irishman’s solo strike – and he refused to celebrate in front of his old crowd.

Coleman said: “It’s a different position but I really enjoy it. I’m getting game time which is great for me.

“It plays on the attacking side but I see myself as right back.

“You just play anywhere for the manager as it’s about getting games.

“I’ve had a few games at Everton now but I know I’m not a regular yet. I need to keep impressing.”

Originally seen as just cannon fodder in the Premier League, Ian Holloway seems to have convinced his side that that notion no longer exists.

Another point earned here, another point on their way to survival.

They like white-knuckle rides on the nearly Pleasure Beach and Blackpool fans are destined to have one here all season.

Just as a promoted Hull City side scaled the heights before dropping down the table, Blackpool are most likely follow to suit.

But, as Holloway pointed out, they may have already done enough to change perceptions for good on the Seaside.

Holloway said: “What I’m trying to do is find more and more players who want to come here.

“I had trouble in the summer with players we were after asking ‘How much am I going to get? How much am I going to get?’

“I don’t think people will now be asking us that question now. They’ll say, ‘Please, can I play for you?’ “That’s what I think the difference will be because they won’t think we are going to go down and they’ll want to play our type of football.”