Sean Dyche heaps praise on ‘terrific’ James Garner as Everton star reaps rewards
Sean Dyche has heaped praise on James Garner, suggesting the “terrific” midfielder is reaping the rewards for his hard work with Everton.
The Toffees extended their unbeaten run to four matches with a 3-2 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday (11 November) thanks to goals from Vitalii Mykoleknko, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye.
While Garner didn’t steal many of the plaudits given the bright attacking performance from the Toffees, Dyche was keen to heap praise on the 22-year-old’s display, suggesting that he has become a bit of a “nark” in the Everton side.
As quoted by the Liverpool Echo (13 November) he said: “Jimmy Garner was terrific, he’s learning and improving. He’s just a good kid. He’s got that nice little edge about him that he’s a bit of a nark now and again, I like it.
“I think you need that as a footballer. The demands he places upon himself is very pleasing as he works very hard in training and I think he’s getting the rewards with his improvement. When I got here he’d been injured and stuff so that wasn’t helpful but you can see the improvement in him – week in, week out.
“I want him to do the hard yards and the basics of being a midfield player but I want him to play and have the freedom to play and he’s finding that nice mix.”
Some talent
It has perhaps been lost in recent weeks as Everton have improved their form in the Premier League just how good some individuals in Dyche’s side have been performing, as the collective displays from the side have earned the majority of the plaudits.
Garner is one of those players who have been in exceptional form over the last few weeks and that continued at Selhurst Park, where the 22-year-old won a huge seven duels in the match and completed 82 per cent of his passes.
On the ball, the former Manchester United man is always a threat and he was a creative force against Palace, completing both of his two attempted dribbles and making an outstanding six passes into the final third.
There’s no doubt that there could be a bit more of a creative edge to Garner’s play and it still feels as though he could find another gear, particularly in possession. But how he has forced his way into Everton’s midfield consistently has been nothing short of “terrific.”
In other Everton news, Henry Winter has provided an update on Jordan Pickford’s international future