Seamus Coleman’s views on modern football are straight from the Roy Keane book of captaining

Seamus Coleman is a breath of fresh air.

The Everton right back is in the form of his life, having been nominated for the Premier League player of the month award for January. The Republic of Ireland international is not letting the plaudits go to his head though. Even amid the suggestions last week that Coleman was set to join one of the biggest clubs in the world, Manchester United, on Transfer Deadline Day, the Killybegs man was typically level-headed. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/826530527113003008 But his latest speech, in which he speaks nothing but sense about the state of modern football and the mentality of so many current players, will live long in the memory of supporters. Coleman simply cuts through the bullshit in the way that would make former Irish captain, and current Republic of Ireland assistant manager, Roy Keane proud. "I think nowadays players are nearly too precious," Coleman said in an interview with the BBC. "I think if you have a bad game and someone highlights it on the TV or in the papers then so be it because that's the job we're in. "We get paid a lot of money to do what we do and if we can't take criticism then there's something wrong and I think it shows a weakness in a player. "If I don't play well then, first and foremost, I know myself that I haven't played well but if the manager highlights that I haven't played well, that's just the way it is. I've been used to that. "I know every player is different but I can only speak for myself. I always feel like I have to impress people and try to prove people wrong maybe. And that might be because I've had to do it the hard way. "It's the game we're in. We're going to get criticised, just like we're going to get praised when we're doing well. "You can't just take all the good and not take any of the bad. You just have to get the balance right and not be a baby about it really."