I think we really have to just trust Kenny and his staff to know when and how to start playing Coates. It is clear he has a high level of ability, and a very high level of potential, but whether he is a regular in our side by the end of this season remains to be seen (and, to no small degree, depends on our injury situation).
To judge from the little we've seen to this point, he seems to have a very aggressive style to his defending. He makes a lot of interceptions by stepping into passing lanes ahead of the attacking player, and then seems more than decent on the ball once he takes it. However, this style, if not very carefully played, can lead to huge mistakes that leave us open at the back, and I think the coaching staff will be working on his judgment in this area. He's a bit like Hyypia in that sense, except that Hyypia was excellent positionally, and Coates still is learning this part of the game. Again, I'm going only on what we've seen here and this summer in the Copa America, but you watch him and just feel that if he can put it all together, he could be a top player. He doesn't have a huge amount of pace, but when he's on the ball he seems to always be looking for a red shirt and makes good decisions, and it's great to see that in a central defender.
My only worry is that while he's learning, he'll cost us a game or two with an attempt at an interception that he misses, or a crunching tackle just a fraction too late that gets him sent off, and the fans will react the way they did with Lucas. That's a risk with any young defender, but particularly with one who plays the way Coates does.
