Lee Carsley: Spotlight swivels towards the underdog

Back in February 2002, Walter Smith was looking to add some quality and steel to an Everton side struggling to peel away from the drop zone.

He turned to the three players: Swedish midfielder Tobias Linderoth, flamboyant winger David Ginola, and Lee Carsley.

Carsley was closing in on his 28th birthday having made his name with Derby County, Blackburn Rovers and a Coventry City side who had been relegated to the Championship the season before. Toffees fans groaned at the decision to bring in Carsley for £1.9m. Indeed the deal only went through after the player waived certain add-ons because he was so keen to get back to the Premier League.

It may not have been the most glamourous signing, but Carsley did well at Goodison Park.

His best seasons came under David Moyes, particularly an excellent 2004/05 campaign that saw Everton finish fourth. Regularly stationed beside another folically challenged terrier Thomas Gravesen, his physicality and honesty of effort endeared him to the Gwladys Street End.

He was an underdog, tirelessly nipping at heels and shins, dutifully doing the dirty work so others didn't have to.

But there was always more to Lee Carsley than hard running and meaty tackles. His footballing IQ was underrated, and it's a quality that's manifested since he transitioned to being a coach.

In the same way people were surprised by Mick McCarthy's willingness to get the ball down and play when he first stepped into management, Carsley has shattered any perceptions some may have held about him based on his playing career.

Technically and tactically, his teams are highly sophisticated.

He's been in the English FA's system for five years now having taken over the Under-20s and then the Under-21s, who he led to the European