Ashley Young hailed for ‘outstanding’ attribute as under-fire Everton veteran turns it around
Ashley Young and Michael Keane have shown “outstanding” professionalism for Everton in recent weeks, according to Michael Ball.
The former Toffees defender is delighted by the under-fire pair of veterans and heaped praise on them in his Liverpool Echo column on 21 October.
Both Young and Keane have featured regularly this term thanks to injuries within Sean Dyche’s squad and were heavily criticised during the woeful four-defeat run to open the campaign, but following the 2-0 win at Ipswich on 19 October to make it four unbeaten Ball has hailed them for turning it around.
He said: “The professionalism of the likes of Michael Keane and Ashley Young over the past couple of games has been outstanding.
“Maybe neither of them would be in the starting side when the entire squad is fit but it’s great to have people like that because even when you’ve made mistakes, you’re being brave and showing what you’re capable of doing.
“Hopefully that kind of attitude from Keane and Young rubs off on the younger players, because, although they’ve had setbacks, they’re doing their jobs well when called upon and showing they’re capable of putting a top performance in.”
Sean Dyche repaid by Everton pair after Michael Keane stunner
Dyche’s commitment to the two defenders has not always worked out well for him or the team during his time at Goodison Park.
But recent performances have matched that of the team as much-improved so they each deserve credit for the parts they have played.
Keane, 31, has understandably drawn more of the focus as he has featured in place of superstar centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, who has played once this term before picking up a new injury.
The ex-Burnley man has been improved defensively from the form that was ridiculed early in the campaign, and capped of his resurgence with a stunning strike from a tight angle at Portman Road to add to his catalogue of impressive finishes.
Young, 39, has somehow started six of eight Premier League games this term at either full-back spot thanks to extensive issues for Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson, James Garner and Vitalii Mykolenko.
Having been sent off in the opening loss to Brighton (17 August) to add a suspension on top of the injury crisis at right-back he came off the bench to a hail of boos in the Carabao Cup loss to Southampton (17 September) and narrowly escaped conceding a last-minute penalty, before missing the decisive kick in the shootout.
He has been rightly criticised for a maddening rashness as an Everton player that belies his age and experience too often, but as with Keane, credit where credit is due he has been an asset rather than a liability of late.
How long the pair can keep up their improved form remains to be seen, but if they can stretch it until the squad is back to full strength it would be a huge boost for Dyche.
In other Everton news, an injury update has been issued on a Toffees ace who hasn’t been seen all season.
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