Sean Dyche doesn’t trust Nathan Patterson as ‘major’ concern emerges at Goodison Park
Sean Dyche does not trust Nathan Patterson as the Everton full-back doesn’t have the defensive capability, according to journalist Paul Brown.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT (19 September), Brown noted his concern regarding the Toffees’ full-back options, singling out Patterson as poor defensively, while Ashley Young and Vitaliy Mykolenko were “exposed” against in Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal.
Dyche’s side have struggled defensively again so far this season, finding themselves with the second-worst goal difference in the Premier League.
Brown said: “I’m really quite worried about Everton’s options at full-back. I don’t think any of them look ideal. Sean Dyche doesn’t trust Patterson defensively, that’s clear. I didn’t think Ashley Young or Mykolenko did at all well against Arsenal, I thought they were both exposed.
“I’m not really sure what options there are for him. He’s going to have to try and get game out of them and it’s going to take some coaching and maybe a tinker to the way the team is set up and plays, but I think the full-back area is a major area of concern for Everton.”
More needed
More is needed across the park from all Everton players, but the full-back position is an area of specific weakness for Dyche this season.
Brown points specifically to Patterson, who had started all of the Toffees’ Premier League fixtures this season until they faced the Gunners at Goodison Park.
The 21-year-old was replaced by veteran Young in the starting line-up but came on as a late substitute as his side chased the game for a late point. Patterson has earned so many starts because, as Brown points out, the full-back options are thin at best.
Relying on a 38-year-old Young is not an ideal situation for a club to find themselves in, and while Mykolenko had some bright spots against Mikel Arteta’s side, the standard must improve if Everton wants to improve at the back.
Per FBRef, Patterson has managed just a 54.7% successful tackle rate while mustering just 24 blocks compared to Mykolenko’s 50 and James Tarkowski’s 99. While stats do not always reflect the true nature of a player’s performance, Patterson often loses the ball in key areas and can lack composure on the ball.
Offensively, Patterson has chipped in. In his last start against Sheffield United, he earned a crucial assist, made two key passes and 77% pass accuracy, showing what he does bring to the side [SofaScore].
But, fundamentally, the Scotsman must focus on his defensive game to prove his worth to Dyche and must do so quickly if he wants to return to the starting 11.
In other Everton news, many want a Toffees star axed from their international team amid a “shock” development at a Premier League rival.