Journalist blown away by ‘influence’ of James Garner, he has been a ‘big part’ of recent Everton success
James Garner has been a “big part” of the recent success enjoyed by Everton, according to Liverpool Echo journalist Joe Thomas.
The Merseyside outfit are unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions, with three wins and one draw in that run.
Sean Dyche’s side have picked up Premier League wins against West Ham and Crystal Palace and a League Cup win against Burnley, as well as drawing with Brighton in the league.
“A big part of the recent upturn in form has been the influence of midfielder Garner,” Thomas wrote for the Liverpool Echo (14 November).
Referencing the 3-2 win against Palace on Saturday (11 November), Thomas added: “Standing outside the away dressing room with Garner as his team-mates dipped in and out for their warm downs, it was hard not to be struck by how far the 22-year-old has come since then.”
Superb rise
There was seemingly a bit of unrest at Old Trafford when Manchester United let Garner leave the club in 2022, with the player having been previously sent out on loan to Watford and Nottingham Forest, the latter on two occasions.
Everton jumped at the opportunity to sign the youngster permanently, and neither they nor the player have looked back.
Injuries have certainly hampered the 22-year-old’s development at Goodison Park, but it now looks like he has shaken off those problems.
The midfielder, who can also play at right-back, has proven his worth to Everton manager Dyche time and again this season.
Even with the presence of the likes of Idrissa Gueye, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Amadou Onana, Garner has more than held his own in midfield, and has given his manager no option but to include him from the very start, which looks likely to be the case as the months go on.
In other Everton news, a journalist has shared a Toffees 12-point deduction verdict amid a “historically bad” Premier League campaign.