Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Coleman could return against Swansea
36 Comments 
The Irish duo have been out of action with respective calf and groin problems this month but Coleman, having already been pencilled in for a return against the Swans and with two training sessions under his belt this week to McCarthy's one, is perhaps the more likely to start this weekend.
The fullback limped out of the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg against Manchester City on 6th January will the calf strain and has been deputised by Bryan Oviedo and John Stones in the interim.
Oviedo's own recovery from a scare against Chelsea last weekend, however, could allow Martinez to delay Coleman's return until the cup second leg at the Etihad Stadium next Wednesday, the second of five games in a fortnight's spell, while Tom Cleverley's availability would allow the same strategy with regard to McCarthy who aggravated his injury against Stoke in late December.
In specific reference to the Irish duo, Martinez said that he regards both as "medically fit" but that the next couple of training sessions before Sunday's match would determine whether they are sufficiently match fit to be involved.
"All three have been working well this week," Martinez said in his pre-match press conference at Finch Farm this morning. "Tom Cleverley, who made the bench against Chelsea has been working really well.
"James McCarthy has joined the group and had one session. Seamus Coleman has had two sessions now with the group and in terms of them being really close to hit the match fitness that you need we're really pleased.
"Over the next 14 days we have five games so clearly those three players will be available for that. It's still to early to say whether [Coleman and McCarthy] will be involved one way or the other but, from a medical point of view, they are available for the weekend.
"Steven Pienaar has had a really good reaction to the role that he has been playing the last few games. Bryan Oviedo is fine. He had an individual session straight after the Chelsea game and now he's worked twice with the team so he's in a very good frame of mind to be available."
Reader Comments (36)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
2 Posted 22/01/2016 at 18:12:17
3 Posted 22/01/2016 at 18:29:51
4 Posted 22/01/2016 at 18:37:39
I'd be surprised if they beat us, but the odd thing is we're due a win, and you could also argue we're due a defeat.
5 Posted 22/01/2016 at 19:20:32
To be brutally honest, I'd take not winning on Sunday if it meant getting past Manchester City on Wednesday night, that for me is the season defining moment of bottle and character.
As for Coleman? If he's not fully ready then why rush it?
6 Posted 22/01/2016 at 19:46:31
I like McCarthy but, until Mo fucks up, then leave it as is please.
7 Posted 22/01/2016 at 20:00:15
Barkley, Mirallas or Deulofeu and Lukaku further forward and Coleman and Baines bombing down the wings. With options in the centre of the defence, we have a team capable of making up for the shortcomings of our goalie. I for one welcome the return of McCarthy.
8 Posted 22/01/2016 at 20:05:40
9 Posted 22/01/2016 at 20:09:46
Besic has earned the right to start based on recent performances and has developed a good understanding with Barry. I wouldn't want to tinker with that just because McCarthy is returning to full fitness, in my opinion.
10 Posted 22/01/2016 at 20:18:29
I've been following him to see how much time he was playing in non-league (only 2 appearances, I think since he left Oldham, which had me worried about his future) but he seems to have been angling a return to the Football League for himself.
He just turned 20 the other day and I noticed his girl is preggers, so hopefully that has been him mature a wee bit. A return to the blues in the future, maybe?
11 Posted 22/01/2016 at 20:21:30
13 Posted 22/01/2016 at 20:43:58
14 Posted 22/01/2016 at 20:44:59
15 Posted 22/01/2016 at 20:47:56
16 Posted 22/01/2016 at 20:50:07
What an attacking line-up we have. Someone is going to get stuffed this season by us and we have had some bad luck recently... as well as looking more solid against the likes of Man City.
My pennyworth is Besic should remain and McCarthy to earn a run in the team over the next 4 weeks.
With the FA Cup as well, we have enough games to keep the squad fit and at it!
COYBs!!
17 Posted 22/01/2016 at 20:59:10
Macca and Besic should provide enough protection against the Swans who are a decent outfit on their day but, having seen them grind out that win against Watford, I will very surprised if we don't turn them over!!
18 Posted 22/01/2016 at 21:04:24
Swansea, like all Premier League teams are no pushovers for this Everton team with the defensive uncertainties. Remember Bournemouth scored three and, of all teams, Stoke scored four!!
19 Posted 22/01/2016 at 21:10:53
Hopefully if we are two up with 20 minutes to go (yes, I know) bring McCarthy and Coleman on to give them some minutes on the pitch. Then again, Bobby works in strange ways.
20 Posted 22/01/2016 at 21:27:50
Cleverley (or Lennon)
Stones
Jagielka
Baines
Besic
Barry
Deulofeu
Barkley
Mirallas
Lukaku
21 Posted 22/01/2016 at 21:31:15
Coleman if fit must return so who makes way for him: Jagielka, Stones or Funes Mori? For me that is the biggest selection question
A midfield 3 of McCarthy, Besic, & Besic (Geoff #7) would for me bring more defensive solidity.
Lukaku starts so pick the remaining 2 from Mirallas, Deulofeu, Barkley, Lennon, Cleverley, Oviedo.
For me I will be disappointed if Besic, or Funes Mori, is dropped but I have a feeling he will start Cleverley, McCarthy and Jagielka.
22 Posted 22/01/2016 at 21:39:12
I also agree with Grant (#12) that our run of conceding and dropping points coincided with McCarthy coming off against Bournemouth, key defensive role?
Jim Bennings: do you ever say anything positive?
23 Posted 22/01/2016 at 22:05:00
As regards Coleman if he is fit he must go straight back in at the expense of Jags or Stones neither of whom has played too well the last couple of games,
Up front it is important to keep Mirallas going along with splitting game time between Lennon and Deulofeu.
24 Posted 22/01/2016 at 22:41:26
We need 3 pts badly to get the monkey off our back. Swansea will come for a point though and will come to frustrate us, they will know our players are desperate for a win and suspect they could be getting anxious. Could become the same old scenario, we throw everyone forward to get a score and then get sucker punched.
That's the pessimist in me, but we are strong favs and should win. With the deflections and duff decisions together with individual mistakes that's been happening lately, who the hell knows what will happen next!
25 Posted 22/01/2016 at 22:44:37
26 Posted 22/01/2016 at 22:48:41
"Who the hell knows what will happen next"? I don't that is for sure but what bemuses me on a personal level is that your question brought a smile to my face.
28 Posted 22/01/2016 at 22:54:07
29 Posted 22/01/2016 at 23:01:29
30 Posted 22/01/2016 at 23:02:08
Barkley seems to be the latest.
What fans should remember is players do not pick themselves (except for TH maybe) and they cannot be at their best in every game.
32 Posted 23/01/2016 at 02:44:14
I know this board will never do that but, if he can't get our current group of players to produce at home against that shitheap of a side, then he has truly done as much as he can.
33 Posted 23/01/2016 at 02:59:15
Roman (#30),
Martinez should have been sacked already but I feel that moment has passed. He does my head in and I've called for him to be dismissed on many occasions, but right now I'm behind him. He should, however, be ORDERED to get our defence sorted. That is a joke that has gone on long enough.
Last season, I was bored to tears and crying out for entertainment. I've actually got my wish, even though it still seems to be ending in tears. We simply have to start winning games. Starting NOW!
34 Posted 23/01/2016 at 03:43:38
He has not pushed on from 2 or 3 years ago and though he would still be valuable to any Premier League team in the bottom half (like ourselves). I don't think he offers nearly enough to be an automatic starter as he is for Martinez.
35 Posted 23/01/2016 at 03:46:04
36 Posted 23/01/2016 at 05:45:23
There will even be talk of how a surge in results will see us challenging for Europe! That's how fickle is the fan base.
With or without the likes of Coleman and McCarthy, Everton are streets better than the fading Welshmen who haven't even got a permanent manager. So we shall solidify our 11th position okay – just don't hail the win as an automatic sign that great things lie ahead. Let's see out the Mancs game before getting too carried away!
37 Posted 23/01/2016 at 11:53:02
As for replacing Besic I don't agree that Macca should just walk back in. All players should fight for their place but we all know what Roberto is like.
38 Posted 23/01/2016 at 21:22:39
That'll do for me.
39 Posted 23/01/2016 at 23:39:09
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
Top of the Page
1 Posted 22/01/2016 at 18:05:43