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Matt Doherty v Seamus Coleman: McCarthy on fitting in both

Mick McCarthy joined Off The Ball to talk about all things Ireland, in the process he spoke about...



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Matt Doherty v Seamus Coleman: McCarthy on fitting in both

Mick McCarthy joined Off The Ball to talk about all things Ireland, in the process he spoke about how he can fit both Seamus Coleman and in-form Matt Doherty into the side.

A topic that has concerned and intrigued Ireland fans, it is the disparity in the pair's form that has been a talking point - Coleman deemed sub-par, while Doherty is a runner for team of the season.

"It is something I could do [in playing the two in the same team] - I think the Doc could certainly play as the right-sided centre back in a three. That would allow Seamus to be the wing-back.

"But then you might say that Doc is having a better roll in terms of wing-backs, so could I flip it around? I guess I could. Am I likely to? No, I'm not.

"How do I shoehorn both of them into the team if they are both right-backs? I probably won't.

"How do I solve the conundrum? I pick one, the other doesn't play and I walk into the press conference and talk about the one that isn't playing. That's what will happen."

On Seamus Coleman's club form for Everton, McCarthy appears sanguine on the issue compared to the Evertonian fanbase.

"No, I don't [think his form has been below average.] Whenever I have seen him play, I think he's played really well.

"I think he's a top, top player. I think he's a really good captain because of how he is - I think he's a role model for other pro footballers in how he's got to where he is and how he has maintained his standards.

"If I'm to pick him, and he plays, and I want him to be captain then he'll be everything that I want in a right-back and a captain because he's a role model for pro footballers."

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