Causes of Coleman’s pride and optimism

Seamus Coleman has every confidence Everton can look forward to more positive moments with a thriving new mentality under manager Sean Dyche.

The 34-year-old last week signed a one-year contract extension in what will be his 15th full season with the Blues. He said there was reason for optimism about Dyche’s momentum since his arrival in the Blues dugout in late January. Under his leadership, the team is on an upward trajectory, entering its first preseason.

Looking back on the next 12 months, Coleman says his desire to help “my club” is as strong as ever.

“This is the club I’ve known, the club that took me in when I was 20 and looked after me,” he told Everton TV. “I’ve tried to give that back in every way possible. It’s hard to leave something you love, but I still feel good on the pitch right now.

“It’s my club – I love it.“To be honest, I had some thoughts this time around, it was different than before. You always hope that things will get better, things have not been good in the past few years, but I always believe and I am always positive that things will get better. good.

“The manager came in and although last season it was down to the wire, the lads showed a good mentality in the final moments to get important points.

“I think we have a good working base. When the manager and his staff come in, you can see what they’re doing, but I’m sure they obviously want more time to take a stand and take the lead they want to lead.

“With all the anxiety we faced in the last few games of the season, they were very approachable, very calm. They stayed calm, stayed focused and sent the right signal to the team that if we do the right things we are good enough up.

“I’m really excited about what they’ve been able to bring us in pre-season and going forward and building that really strong mentality that the manager has been talking about.”

Coleman, who spent the summer at Finch Farm as part of his recovery from a medial knee ligament injury suffered during his run-in at Leicester last season, joins his team-mates for his first pre-season game this week. Official game day.

His recovery journey is going well and the club captain says there is buzz at Vinci’s farm as the Blues prepare to restart

“very good already [to be back]” Coleman said.

“It’s great to see all the lads are back. It’s a positive sign that everyone’s coming back in good shape and obviously we’re hoping to add some physicality as well.

“I’m delighted to have the lads back and really excited for the season ahead. I think we all need that – we have to keep a positive attitude.

“I think as a team we need to stand up and respect where we are, respect the club we play for.

“I have to say, we have a good team. I know we are a little bit above the relegation zone and people are quick to say it’s a failure and of course, that’s definitely not where Everton FC should be. … We should be higher in the table but in the last couple of games, or after Newcastle’s defeat, some of the lads have been easy to hide and that’s not the case.

“They kept working, they kept fighting even though we were down to the bone and I think it touched the manager’s mentality again, he tried to convince the lads that we could go away, put our backs against the wall and come back away from the points.

“We need to build a good team spirit and that’s something the manager has been working on. I think the pre-season is very important for that, in the ups and downs of the season we need to stick together and keep fighting and keep working hard for Had a successful season.”

Coleman joined Everton from Sligo Rovers for £60,000 in January 2009 and has since made 409 appearances for the club, making him 17th on the Toffees’ all-time list with a top 10 finish just around the corner .

The right-back is also the longest-appearance player of any active player in the Premier League, just three games away from surpassing Tim Howard (354) to become Everton’s record-setting Premier League appearances.

“I’m lucky,” he reflects. “As you all know, I came here as a reserve player. I just want to do my best every day and keep working hard every day.

The mutual love and respect between Coleman and the Evertonians has ensured that his place in Everton history has been cemented.

As he was carried off on a stretcher after the nasty collision at the King Power Stadium in early May, he once again underscored his commitment to the Everton fans by gesturing to them from afar in hopes of giving them a final piece of encouragement. The selflessness of the cause.

In return, fans chanted Coleman’s name at every game he was absent, including the all-important 1-0 win over Bournemouth at Goodison Park on the final day of the season After the whistle.

“Their support means everything to me,” Coleman revealed. “I knew that leaving the pitch that night [against Leicester], because my season was probably coming to an end, and I was in so much pain, so I thought, ‘What else can I do, as the last thing to keep us going or keep the audience going? ‘…I put my fist up at them because I know them and they know me – I know I’m going to get a reaction from it and I know the lads will have a reaction.

“Thankfully we ended up getting a point that night.

“The support from the fans has been incredible and I really appreciate it.

“I live in the city and see them a lot – they’ve always been nice to me.

“I think – and I say this to all players – what they expect from someone is to give it their all and have respect for what you’ve done and respect for this football club. If you do that, they’ll do it with enthusiasm. Applause welcomes you.” Opening his arms. ”

After watching Bournemouth from the stands and hearing his popular ’60’ chants after the game, Coleman revealed: “It’s [emotional], to be honest. They were singing as I sat there when something bigger than me was happening.

“When you hear your name being sung, it’s emotional and emotional. I can only thank them for that.

“After the game we all breathed a sigh of relief. That’s the most important thing – this football club carried on.

“It shows that God doesn’t give us a right to stay in this league and you’ve seen that with relegated teams. We need to make sure we don’t end up in this situation again.”