Nathan Patterson has clear pathway to save Everton career, it could be his last chance
Nathan Patterson has not been favoured by David Moyes at Everton, with the manager more often than not playing a centre-back out of position at right-back.
Patterson’s lack of game time at Hill Dickinson Stadium has led to reports of the Scotsman leaving the Toffees.
During the winter transfer window, Napoli considered making a move for Patterson but ultimately decided to stick with their options.
During January, due to injuries and suspensions, the Scottish defender was given a bigger role under Moyes.
However, with options growing for the Everton manager in defence, the 24-year-old was once again relegated to the back of the pecking order.
Now, he could jump the queue once more, and this time, he will have to take his chance with both hands, as Everton look to turn around their poor home form.
Jake O’Brien’s red card offers Nathan Patterson an Everton lifeline
Jake O’Brien’s red card against Bournemouth was a big blow, and Everton will have no complaints about the Irishman’s dismissal.
O’Brien was the last man, and Amine Adli was through on goal. It was a clear denial of a goal-scoring opportunity.
The red card certainly hampered the L3 outfit’s chances, as they would go on to lose 2-1, with Alan Shearer believing Everton did enough to win.
However, at Hill Dickinson, there could be one man looking at this incident as a real chance for himself, and that is Patterson.
With O’Brien not available to face Manchester United, that leaves the Scotsman as the only natural right-back option at Moyes’ disposal.
If Patterson puts on a strong performance against the Red Devils, that could shift his position in Moyes’ thinking and perhaps even save Patterson’s future on Merseyside.
But Patterson start vs Man United is not a guarantee
While he may be the only natural right-sided fullback available, that does not mean he is guaranteed against the Manchester club.
James Garner has been used on the right of defence at multiple points this season, and with the Englishman trusted more than Patterson, it would not be a shock to see.
Patterson will be boosted by the fact that Garner’s qualities in midfield are much more useful than in defence. Garner was exceptional in Everton’s loss against Bournemouth.
If Patterson is not selected to start, and Garner does fill that role, it would likely be a two-man midfield of Idrissa Gana Gueye, alongside Tim Iroegbunam.
The out-of-favour Scotsman will need to impress at Finch Farm before Everton’s game against Manchester United, and he has plenty of time to do so.
Patterson must simply take his chance in training and earn himself a start; if not, it could be his final opportunity to do so.