Few expected any changes from Everton’s impressive Anfield showing the previous week, with just a sole enforced one following Ashley Young’s sending-off.
The experienced 38-year-old was thoughtless and rash in receiving his two yellows after many had called on him to be dropped, only proving the doubters correct with such a foolish moment.
However, those desperate to see him displaced were likely unaware of how poor the alternative would be, with Nathan Patterson having been drafted in to face West Ham United yesterday.
The young defender has seen opportunity scarce since moving to Goodison Park for £16m, joining as a highly-rated full-back from Rangers with all the attacking impetus needed to thrive.
However, in a game of little quality, where big mistakes would have surely cost the game, he always seemed the most liable to commit one. Perhaps, such an outing vindicates Sean Dyche’s faith in Young, who has proven to be the lesser of two evils this campaign.
How did Nathan Patterson play vs West Ham?
With age comes experience, and that is what the former Manchester United man exudes. Having made himself a ‘legend’ with both the Red Devils and Aston Villa, in the eyes of writer Luis Miguel Echegaray, it is a shame that his body often lets down an incredible footballing mind.
Then, with Patterson, his youth lends him the pace and power needed to excel in the Premier League, but also makes him prone to costly gaffes with regard to one-on-one defending and positional awareness.
This was brutally showcased on Sunday, with the full-back bypassed on numerous occasions. He was dribbled past four times and would win just five of the 12 duels he competed in, yet offered little going forward either, losing possession 12 times, via Sofascore.
Such consistent failure to quell the threats down his flank saw journalist Connor O’Neill outline the Scotsman’s troubles in his post-match analysis, noting: ‘It was a really tough afternoon for the full-back. He struggled against Lucas Paqueta, who constantly got the better of him. However, he did stick at it and never let his head drop.’
Whilst Young may not have his athleticism, the £40k-per-week defender boasts numerous other assets that Dyche can rely on, and likely why he must return to the side
