Coleman admits Everton inconsistency not due to lack of preparation

The Everton supporters are starting to get quite fed up with the Blues’ weekly Jekyll-and-Hyde act. No two games are the same, whether Marco Silva announces the same starting lineup or rings the changes, it appears that no more than four or five of the players actually show up on the day. Against some opposition, it can be enough, but against better-organized sides it’s usually not.

This coming weekend Everton play in the FA Cup, a trip to Milwall in the Fourth Round of a competition that the Blues have been starved of success in for a couple of decades now. Current captain Seamus Coleman knows that this will be a big game.

“Millwall is a great game for us – it’s going to be tough but I’ve made no secret of the fact it would be great to finally win a cup with this club.

“It starts with Millwall and we have to dust ourselves down, go again and make sure we are prepared this week to go and have another battle.

“The Cup is important for the fans, the manager, the players, everyone involved with the Club.

“The manager will be wanting to do all he can to win the Cup… and it is something I know the Everton fans are desperate for.

“As players, we are as well. There are no easy games, either, and going to Millwall will be difficult so we need to be prepared and do our homework this week.”

Over the last three months or so, the Blues have only been consistent in their inconsistency, and the Republic of Ireland international admits that it’s getting old.

“There is no magic potion – we just need to work hard and keep battling.

“Hopefully with wins the confidence will come but at the minute we are not winning enough, we are not getting back-to-back wins, which always breeds confidence.

“The past six or seven weeks… we’ve won a game, performed well and looked forward to the next game, but it hasn’t gone quite so well. You don’t want to keep saying we had new players coming in and are trying to organise that... as a whole we need to be better, we need to stand up and be counted.

“Seventh is up for grabs and there will be a lot of teams fighting for that position. We can only look at ourselves and that starts with going on the training ground on Monday and preparing the best we can and having a great attitude like all professional footballers should.

“The only way you can do it is on the pitch and be proud to play for your club. At the minute, we all need to do better.”

Everton last played against Milwall in this very competition 13 years ago, with the Blues drawing 1-1 at The Den and then beating their Championship opponents 1-0 in the replay at Goodison.

“I’ve never played there and I hear it’s a great atmosphere. We are looking forward to the game and hopefully we can win it and advance in the Cup.

“Silverware is massive for this club and I want to win the Cup. That would be a great achievement and give the fans something to celebrate.”