2 - Nathan Patterson - future star

Armchair wrote:

hairy cataract wrote:

Made 4 Gwladys wrote:To back up hairy's report,,,

Nathan Patterson marked his first Everton appearance with an assist for Lewis Dobbin’s decisive goal as the Blues’ Under-23 side beat high-flying Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Southport FC on Monday night.

Scotland international Patterson – who joined Everton from Glasgow Rangers earlier this month – supplied a pinpoint cross which Dobbin met with a bullet header to put the Toffees in front on the stroke of half-time.

Patterson’s athleticism and quality in possession impressed as he completed 60 minutes of the clash, with the victory seeing David Unsworth’s side stretch their unbeaten run to seven matches.

Centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite also played for an hour of the Premier League 2 encounter, delivering an assured display to help the young Blues record a clean sheet against a free-scoring Tottenham team who sit third in the table, five places above Everton.

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2462911/patterson-impresses-in-fine-u23s-win?fbclid=IwAR2jXQI1-mdXZq8puj45iKcptGGj5Abnt9miaBX6KIqTt_N6YSjHhJcxaRY

Just to return to being Mr Misery for a minute..... Branthwaite was a bit shaky last night, and made errors that may well have led to goals at a higher level.  There were some decent prospects on show though, and the most striking thing was how much better we looked with a midfield three.  It's fucking beyond me why we're not playing a three in the PL games.

I've been stewing on this the last few days.

On the assumption that we want to play Richie and DCL up front together (which makes sense), what formation do you play? 352 would work if we have fullbacks/wingbacks in the wide positios, but that means Gray not playing. We could play Gray as a wingback but he'd be less effective going forward and leave us a bit exposed defensively. 451 perhaps? But that means Richie as a winger where he is less effective.  433 with 3 holding midfielders, DCL Richie and Gray up front, with the later two dropping back a bit when we haven't got the ball?

Armchair wrote:

Rotterdam 1985 wrote:If you're the manager of a struggling Premier League team who've taken about 4 points in two years and whose players are currently frozen with fear and a lack of confidence, and you've got a young lad on the bench who shows this kind of pluck and directness then, I dunno, I'd consider giving him a game or two.

Nothing to lose (we're shit anyway and going down) and everything to gain.

https://twitter.com/EvertonViews/status/1507084439461011456

Dunno, I don't like it. I'm sure we can coach that out of him though.

Rotterdam 1985 wrote:

Armchair wrote:

Rotterdam 1985 wrote:If you're the manager of a struggling Premier League team who've taken about 4 points in two years and whose players are currently frozen with fear and a lack of confidence, and you've got a young lad on the bench who shows this kind of pluck and directness then, I dunno, I'd consider giving him a game or two.

Nothing to lose (we're shit anyway and going down) and everything to gain.

https://twitter.com/EvertonViews/status/1507084439461011456

Dunno, I don't like it. I'm sure we can coach that out of him though.

It's incredible isn't it? To my eye it is anyway. Can imagine Lampard talking to his assistants on the training field...

"We need a spark from somewhere lads, but I just don't see who can provide it." (Scottish accent in the background - "Hi boss.")

"I know Frank, we've inherited such a lacklustre squad here haven't we?" ("Did you see what I did for Scotland last week boss?")

"You're right Ash, this isn't on us, but I just don't see what we can do to change things" ("How about giving me a fucking start or two eh, boss?")

"So, Kenny and Coleman at full back again this weekend then? We have zero wing back options available. ("Ah your fuckin' da sells Avon boss.")

hairy cataract wrote: I reckon Seamus will continue at right back for the rest of the season with Natty Patty playing at Hull and then a few games on the bench, getting the odd twenty minutes here and there.

hairy cataract wrote:

I was watching Wales last night and, in the first half, Neco Williams was one of the stand-out players.  Of course, he's a RS and they are so well-equipped in the full back positions that they can afford to send him out on loan to Fulham.  Patterson is possibly at the stage Williams was at when he went out on loan. In other words, not good enough for the Sky clubs, but more than fucking handy for a shit team like us.

Lampard must be seeing something that makes him think "old man Seamus at right back, bang average right back Kenny at left back, and get that young Jock on the mid-morning cake run & make mine a slice of Victoria Sponge".  He hooked him at half time against Boreham Wood, saying he'd done "okay", though to be fair he'd actually looked a bit tentative.  So maybe if he does get picked, he won't play like he did in a friendly against Poland, he'll play like he did in the FA Cup against the non-league minnows because the pressure will be so much greater?

Having said that, I'd start at him at West Ham.

Armchair wrote:Two assists today, although I appreciate Blackpool aren't exactly PL standard.

Made 4 Gwladys wrote:has anyone heard an update today ... I read it MIGHT me medial ligaments... but nothing on the OS & social media strangely quiet on the matter

Tonteau wrote:

Rotterdam 1985 wrote:

Made 4 Gwladys wrote:has anyone heard an update today ... I read it MIGHT me medial ligaments... but nothing on the OS & social media strangely quiet on the matter

Dunno mate. The wait is making me nervous.

Such a shame. At least we've got Coleman in reserve, an experienced, serviceable pro. But Patterson was improving leaps and bounds, game-by-game. Such a fucking shame.

Reminds me of when Southall got crocked playing for Wales, an injury that may have cost us the double in '86.

Don't know what it is with our right backs on international duty. Coleman used to get injured every time he turned out for ireland and I think this is the second injury Patterson has had playing internationals whilst he's been with us. FFS.

Yankthattoffee wrote:For the WHU match I was sat with a buddy in the wheelchair area by the church corner flag.
NP blocked a really heavy hit cross by Antonio(?) in the first half, more of a tackle. He immediately grimaced and ran sheepishly to the goalmouth.
Could have been the start of it.

Made 4 Gwladys wrote:Everton defender Nathan Patterson is expected to be out for around four to five weeks with an ankle injury.

The 20-year-old Blues right-back was forced off while on international duty during Scotland’s Nations League win over Ukraine at Hampden Park last Wednesday.

Following a consultation with a specialist in London, Patterson will now undergo treatment under the care of Everton’s medical team at Finch Farm.

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2805830/patterson-injury-update