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Cantoffee wrote: Sat Apr 18, 2026 5:27 pm
I think there's a different type of influence in a dressing room when you're a coach vs a player.
A player is still "one of the lads", that's not the case with a coach.
Either way, fully believe Keane when he says we'd have gone down without Coleman. Characters are what kept us up and why others have gone down.
Normally it is I agree, but what has been written and said about Coleman I think he spans that regular divide (commands a player/manager level of respect, if a tad whiny and jokey at times). He transcends that usual dichotomy with his leadership.
He does both the pep talk to motivate and he lays down the standards in no uncertain terms. He really is, and was the heartbeat.
If that cost us wages with an extra zero than simply a reserve player might have warranted, then it enabled us the capacity to continue to paying Premier League wages into the future.
Enjoyed the interview. Understand why he doesn't/can't/won't, but I'd have loved him to drop a few more names, like who he'd seen fighting in the dressing room, who threw one in and wasn't up for the fight, who the Utd youngster was that got in trouble and for what (probably Ravel Morrison) etc.
Love him or hate him, he's played a lot of games this season where he's had a positive involvement. Fully deserves the extension, but also I want to see JOB in the team ahead of him next season.
Makes sense given Branthwaites continued injury concerns, although might have hung on to see if we made Europe before pulling the trigger. Still think he's been one of our best players this season. Do think O Brien is going to be stunted a little though as really can't see him being first choice at centre back next season
