Everton ace Nathan Patterson must put disappointing debut behind him
Frank Lampard has claimed the decision to substitute Everton ace, Nathan Patterson, off against Boreham Wood was purely “practical”.
The Blues defender was subbed off just 45 minutes into his first-team debut at Goodison Park in the 2-0 win.
Lampard urged the youngster to continue working hard as he continues to develop after making his full debut.
He said in his pre-Tottenham Hotspur press conference: “Sometimes they’re not emotional, they’re practical, and yesterday it was absolutely practical to have to change – and Nathan was the choice.
“I thought he did okay in the game. I was pleased for him to have his debut, we brought him in for a reason, and what Nathan will feel from myself and the staff is a real engagement and desire to work with him.
“He’s a young player, who’s a developing player still, and he will feel our support of how we want him to play and how we want him to develop.
“Things like that happen at that stage of your career, whoever you are. As a younger player you have to take something like this on the chin and understand that this is high-level, and keep working.
“And that’s all he has to do.”
Still learning
It wasn’t the debut Patterson would have dreamed of, being dragged off at half time.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Scotland international though. The weight is now completely of having not featured for the first team since coming to Merseyside in January.
He did make a cameo for the U23’s but he was brought in as a first team player and that is where the 20-year-old will want to be.
Another positive is that he wasn’t brought off because of how he was playing. The decision made by Lampard was purely tactical as he looked to quicken the tempo and create more attacking opportunities against a resolute Boreham Wood.
One thing is for sure though, Patterson is one for the future. He needs to remember that and not get too down on himself after an underwhelming Everton debut.
In other Everton news, team news for the Premier League clash v Tottenham Hotspur.
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