For once, Everton fans will welcome this international break as a much-needed break from the stress around Goodison Park.
It has been a difficult start to the season for the Toffees and with them yet to win a Premier League game, the pressure on Sean Dyche’s future has increased.
The former Burnley boss has twice worked wonders in guiding this team to safety, but after this latest poor run of form, questions have been raised about his ability to continue leading them to such success.
But it’s worth noting that very few managers could coax a tune out of this squad, especially with all the off-field issues plaguing them.
The international break should allow Everton’s players to leave Goodison Park and express themselves without the pressures of relegation turmoil.
Alas, some people struggle with this.
How Seamus Coleman played for Ireland against England
Seamus Coleman is one such example who spent a hot afternoon in Ireland as his team took on England.
A 2-0 home defeat was just the tip of the iceberg for his side, who actually saw two former Republic of Ireland youth players, Declan Rice and Jack Grealish, score.
What’s more, their captain was tormented all game before a possible injury-induced substitution.
Both The Times and The Daily Mail gave the £55,000-a-week defender a 5/10 rating, while the Irish Mirror wrote: ‘While he continued to lead the team with passion and pride, he really struggled against Gordon’s pace. ‘
90min echoed this sentiment: “I struggled to deal with the movement of Gordon and Grealish before I went off injured an hour ago.”
Everton’s problems at right-back have intensified
Whether it was his perceived poor performance or the fact that he limped off injured, he only reinforced Everton’s problems at right-back last night.
This is a big area of fear for most Evertonians who argue that the lack of depth and quality in this area has been evident for so long.
Yet another summer has gone by without addressing it, leaving Coleman, 35, and Ashley Young, 39, battling it out for the top spot.
Nathan Patterson marks another option, but the young Scot remains inexplicably averse to Sean Dyche, further limiting their options in that position.
Lack of dynamism and speed is a problem that plagues the entire back line, right back is no exception.
Coleman’s latest injury and poor performances do not bode well for his chances of solving the defensive woes Everton have faced at the start of this season, having scored ten goals in their opening three Premier League games.