Everton are back in action again today, seeking to make it four Premier League wins from as many games by claiming victory over Burnley.
And yet, whilst on paper it is set to be the easiest of the three games they won before it, this will be the first time since their ten-point deduction where they actually face a side below them in the table.
It poses an interesting mental battle for the Toffees to overcome, but one which Sean Dyche will certainly have been keen to prepare his players for.
That is not the only hurdle the 52-year-old has had to overcome this week though, contending with injuries and suspensions in key areas.
However, with the news that both Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young are doubtful, it at least makes his decision at right-back easy. Nathan Patterson must start.
How good has Nathan Patterson been since he signed for Everton?
In a move that many fans have called for in recent months, now marks the first real opportunity for the Scotsman to stake his starting claim and keep the shirt from his two ageing teammates.
If he can keep his right flank locked down, easing the mini-crisis felt in that position, there is every chance he could maintain that spot.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
Since joining Everton in 2022, the £16m dynamo has struggled to find consistent minutes in the senior squad due to suffering injuries at the worst possible moments.
However, there have been glimpses of his talent during those starting spells.
After all, the 22-year-old boasts a physicality and dynamism unlike anything they have had since Coleman was young, and just last term was averaging 2.6 tackles and 1.9 clearances per game in the league, via Sofascore.
Against Brighton and Hove Albion, in which they ran out shock 5-1 winners at the back-end of last campaign, he enjoyed one of his finest performances. Dyche would lavish the full-back with praise: ‘I thought Pato (Patterson) was terrific, coming in for Seamus (Coleman) who has been amazing since he got to the club.
‘(Kaoru) Mitoma has been arguably one of the best wide players in the Premier League this year and I thought Pato was tremendous.’
Having silenced one of the Premier League’s top wingers that day, he will hope to maintain his focus again to prove why he now deserves a long-lasting shot.
