Everton: Sky Sports pundit reacts as Nathan Patterson falters in ‘mess’ at Goodison Park amid lack of Sean Dyche backing
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Kevin Campbell isn’t worried about Nathan Patterson joining the long list of expensive transfer failures at Everton despite set backs this season.
The Scottish right-back arrived from Rangers under Rafael Benitez last January in a deal worth up to £16million [Sky Sports, 4 January 2022] but barely featured at all under Frank Lampard until he received a sustained run at the start of the current season.
The 21-year-old lost his place under Sean Dyche, who recently said he wasn’t a “bona fide” Premier League player [via Daily Record, 20 April], but while Campbell has admitted more managerial change hasn’t been helpful for the youngster he has backed him to come good.
The Sky Sports pundit exclusively told Goodison News: “No [not worried]. He’s only a kid.
“I think eventually he’ll be good enough but because you’ve spent money on him that doesn’t he’s going to get in the team.
“One, you’ve got to perform. Two, you’ve got to prove you’re good enough.
“Since he’s come in it’s his third manager, so it’s a mess. Everton’s a mess at times.
“Sean Dyche is just trying to keep everyone’s feet firmly on the ground and trying to get performances out of the team.
“It looks like he’s relying on experience.”
Dyche preferred both Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate out of position ahead of Patterson but Seamus Coleman’s latest injury, which looks to have ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign, might have opened the door for the specialist full-back.
The experiment with using the two converted centre-backs failed, and it was Patterson who came off the bench at the King Power on Monday (1 May).
So if the manager sticks with him it will be a key opportunity to earn the former Burnley boss’ trust and potentially have a big say in the relegation battle.