Time to give Patterson a chance | OneFootball

Nathan Patterson has not had an easy time of it at Everton. Since his arrival in January 2022, Patterson has never been able to string together a consistent run of performances, for one reason or another.

Patterson was only 20 when Everton signed him from Rangers, for a reported fee of £12M. He had played just 13 times in the Scottish Premiership, making only 5 starts. It should not really have required hindsight to look at the deal and think Everton were taking a huge risk.

They felt Patterson could be the natural successor to Seamus Coleman. A marauding right-back who could fill the position for years to come.

Yet, almost 4 years later, Patterson has made only 55 Premier League appearances, starting 29 times in the competition. His tally of goal involvements stands at 3 — all of those are assists.

A big part of Patterson’s inability to nail down a regular place in the team has been fitness; a big part of it has been a lack of trust from managers — something which, of course, injury issues have not helped. Just when it looks as though he may have some positive momentum, or there may be a chance for him to take his chance, injuries have often struck.

The tone was set early. Patterson was not given his Everton debut until 3 March 2022, in a home game in the FA Cup against Boreham Wood. Yet with Everton struggling to break down their non-league opponents, Frank Lampard took Patterson — who was not playing particularly well — off, rather than give him time to get into his groove.

Patterson was finally set to make his first Premier League start a month later, against West Ham at London Stadium. Yet fate had other ideas, with the Scotland international suffering an injury in the warm-up.

We did not see Patterson again that season, as Everton battled to stay up. However, he seemed to have been installed as Lampard’s first-choice right-back by the start of the 2022-23 campaign. Impressive performances against Leeds United and Liverpool stand out, but in typical fashion, he went down injured during the first international break that season.

By the time he returned to fitness, Sean Dyche was in place, and Patterson never did manage to get a run of games under the former Burnley boss. Indeed, there was the infamous slap, however playful the manager meant it to be, during a mid-season training camp in Portugal.

There was some hope that fellow Scot Moyes would be able to get the best out of Patterson. The issue was, Patterson was injured when Moyes arrived in January 2025, and by the time he got back into the fold, Jake O’Brien had cemented his place at right-back.

Patterson got a couple of chances at the back end of last season, but did not impress. He looked incredibly rusty, nervous and completely short of confidence.

It is this writer’s opinion that Everton should have made their mind up on him last summer: it was time to move on. Patterson needed a fresh start and needed to play, and Everton needed to sign their next long-term (or just medium-term) right-back.

Yet Everton hesitated, and by the time a late loan move to Sevilla was in the offing for Patterson last August, there was no time to source an adequate replacement. A huge failing on the club’s part, and no doubt a huge frustration for Patterson.

To compound those frustrations, Patterson’s flaky injury history struck again in October, when it was decided he should receive treatment for a hernia injury. James Garner had, by then, been preferred at right-back when Everton needed a more attacking option there than O’Brien, and it was not until late December that Patterson finally returned.

But since then, when he has played, Patterson has actually offered a much-needed balance to Everton’s defence. The difference between just playing with an out-and-out right-back in that position, rather than a sometimes cumbersome centre-back, has been clear.

Patterson, now 24, is still lacking in top-level experience, and still looks just as unsure in certain situations as he did at 21 or 22. But when called upon by Moyes in the last month or so, he has let nobody down.

After a shaky first 30 minutes at Nottingham Forest on 30 December, Patterson recovered and played well until he had to be taken off midway through the second half to protect his fitness.

Yet, for some reason, he was then dropped against Brentford, and did not come on even with Everton desperately chasing the game. Michael Keane, who was carrying a knock, came back in and played poorly, yet the experienced centre-back was kept in against Wolves at home, with Moyes once again preferring O’Brien at right-back.

The three-game suspension Keane served for picking up a red card in the Wolves match gave Patterson a shot, though, and he took it. He did nothing wrong at all in matches against Sunderland, Aston Villa and Leeds United. There’s a case to say he was one of Everton’s most consistent performers in those games.

And back to the key word: Balance.

Everton’s defence looked balanced. O’Brien was impressive at centre-back (his natural position) and, while Patterson did not exactly offer as much as might be wanted from an attacking sense, the back line just looked more settled.

Yet against Brighton, with Jarrad Branthwaite back in the fold, Moyes reverted to type.

Now, in fairness, it seems the plan was for Branthwaite to play at centre-back, with O’Brien moving out to right-back. While frustrating, you can see the logic. Branthwaite is Everton’s best defender and Moyes clearly wants O’Brien in the team as much as possible.

But when Vitaliy Mykolenko pulled out of the squad, Moyes — in this writer’s view — needlessly crowbarred Keane back into the defence.

Sure, it was logical to shift Branthwaite to left-back (he is good enough to play anywhere), but then keep O’Brien at centre-back and play an actual full-back at right-back. Instead, Moyes went with a back four made up entirely of central defenders, and the result was a disjointed and negative first-half performance.

Moyes will claim that Everton came away with a point, but then it is only fair to say that they scored when Patterson was on the pitch. Only used as a late substitute, Patterson offered some width and drive down the right flank.

But it was no surprise to see rumours of Patterson then asking to leave the club on deadline day, as he looks to up his minutes in an attempt to make Scotland’s World Cup squad.

Everton have once again dallied over signing a right-back in the last month, meaning they simply could not let Patterson leave... But then please, let’s see a bit more of him.

Nobody is suggesting Patterson is Everton’s long-term future right-back and, with Branthwaite fit again, the natural place in a back four for O’Brien is out on the right, at least for now.

But Patterson should get some minutes. He does not have to start every game, but Moyes must not be so reluctant to use him. As the manager himself recently said, Patterson has not let anybody down.

If Everton are to make Europe, they cannot rely on just grinding out results. They need to show some impetus, and adding some threat from full-back is key to that.

They can’t go out and sign a new one for now, but they can at least try to make the most of what they have.

And even if these, as they probably should be, are to be Patterson’s final months at Everton, then he deserves a shot.

Reader Comments (67)

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Ian Wilkins 1 Posted 05/02/2026 at 15:01:13

Patterson has had chances ( injuries aside) under numerous Everton managers and has failed to take them, predominantly because the defensive part of his game has let him down.

Barring Coleman, who struggles to stay on the pitch these days sadly, he is our only natural right back. Playing a natural right back gives the team better shape undoubtedly, and it is fair to say in recent games he has performed ok.

So given the current state of affairs I would play Patterson personally for the balance it gives the team. I will bet however that Moyes will persevere with O’Brien. I hope he is brave enough to vary it.

Rob Teo 2 Posted 05/02/2026 at 15:34:06

There is actually a simple and likely effective solution for Moyes: drop Tarkowski and get Branthwhaite and Obrien in the centre with Patterson out right.

Tarkowski is really a mediocre defender at best. Why we cannot go with our strongest pairing in the centre of defence in the form of Branthwhaite and Obrien, I do not know.

But I do know Moyes and it's that he will stick with Tarkowski and Keane and all of his trusted warhorses before he takes a chance on Patterson.

John Collins 3 Posted 05/02/2026 at 15:37:29

Moyes,imo,will play the 4 centre halves in as many games as possible for the remainder of the season.

Suits his football philosophy

Mark Taylor 4 Posted 05/02/2026 at 15:44:58

I don't know why but the right back position has been a bit of a clown show for years, almost as though it doesn't matter much.

I tend to agree with the author of the article, if you've dillied and dallied and he's still here, you might as well give him a proper run to see if it works out.

Now we are pretty much over relegation worries, there's no reason not to. He might be better all round than Jake O'Brien, who in any case is clearly better at centre-back, probably with Branthwaite as our long-term pairing.

To be honest, I'd make the same point about Aznou. Sure he's raw but he's been through La Masia and Bayern's youth setup and he was highly rated by them and he had a decent run of games in La Liga last season.

It's not like Mykolenko is all that high a bar and, if Aznou isn't first choice next season, we'll need to find someone who is.

Ian Jones 5 Posted 05/02/2026 at 15:59:50

Players sometimes just need a chance of a run of games without the added pressure of potentially losing your place with a misplaced pass.

I'd give him til the end of the season to show his worth. He may surprise us.

John Collins 6 Posted 05/02/2026 at 16:07:31

3 assists in 55 games. Mykolenko has 2 in around 120 games.Nowhere near enough for modern-day full-backs.

Saying that, plenty of them games will be under Moyes and Dyche, two very defensive-minded managers.

Derek Knox 7 Posted 05/02/2026 at 16:33:45

I totally agree, have said it many a time on here, Patterson gets more bad press than he deserves, and is not that bad a player.

In fact, given a decent run, which is also confidence-building, we would see a more consistent player, and in my opinion, better results.

However, Moyes will probably stick to that defensive setup with 4 centre-backs, two out of position, by the way, but we have no say in team selection unfortunately.

Dave Abrahams 8 Posted 05/02/2026 at 16:45:50

Nathan Patterson definitely deserves a few games now, while he is fit, to prove that he can make a good full-back.

I wouldn't drop Tarkowski for O'Brien, who still has to prove if he is consistently good in this position. I think Tarkowski will prove he will improve on his performances this season, as well as showing he is a very good captain.

Neil Lawson 9 Posted 05/02/2026 at 16:58:17

Does anyone seriously believe that Moyes will choose Patterson ahead of the 4 back four?

More chance of Tony Hibbert goal.

I too wish he was given a chance but it requires injuries or suspensions etc.

Mike Gaynes 10 Posted 05/02/2026 at 17:35:14

Patric, I would question your assertion that Everton "hesitated" last summer in pursuit of a right back.

We know from widespread media reports that we offered on three of them -- Juanlu Sanchez, Kenny Tete and James Justin. All three approaches were turned down -- the first two by the player, the last by the player's club.

As for January, The Athletic reports that while striker was our top priority, we did move on two right-backs. Quoting Paddy Boyland:

'Strasbourg's Guela Doue and Genoa's Brooke Norton-Cuffy featured high on their list at right-back. But Doue was not readily available, with Strasbourg having recently lost Liam Rosenior as manager, and it was felt Norton-Cuffy was more likely to end up at a top Italian club. David Moyes sets the bar high when it comes to assessing right-back targets and Jake O'Brien has earned the manager's faith in a makeshift role.'

Both targets remained at their clubs and could be targets for us again in the summer.

As for Moyes's faith, an article on the club site implies O'Brien has earned it with hard work:

Individual sessions with Moyes and Nick Davies, who left Spurs in the summer to become the Toffees' new Head of Sports Science/Performance, have focused on positioning and agility in order to deal with the Premier League's notoriously threatening wingers.

“At the start, it was more about learning exactly where to be on the pitch because it is different to centre-back,” O'Brien explains. “Then, with Nick [Davies], who has come in, I've been doing work on my footwork and having fast feet.

“A lot of that we do in training anyway but then, when we don't have midweek games, we'll do our one-to-one sessions as well and that's been a focus for me.

“Everyone knows my size and I'm coming up against small, tricky wingers, so having fast feet is important, then putting everything together and lots of one-v-one stuff in those scenarios you get in a match.”

Keith Harrison 11 Posted 05/02/2026 at 17:42:28

Patterson definitely deserves a chance. There's a good player there starting to emerge, and if he gets a winger who will work with him, people may be pleasantly surprised.

Dibling started to do this in one of the Forest games, after a shaky first half up against 2 very good wingers. Once they got used to each other, they played well together. Then were jettisoned for the next game.

I've already espoused this on the O'Brien thread.

Left-back is our weakest full-back position, and I personally wouldn't hesitate to throw Aznou in there. The kid's exciting, has pace, been schooled at Barca. Give him a go.

Rob Jones 12 Posted 05/02/2026 at 18:03:01

John Collins, stop bunching Dyche and Moyes together, they're not even close to the same, certainly not in quality.

We get that you don't like the manager, but labouring on the point is tedious.

Ian Bennett 13 Posted 05/02/2026 at 18:38:05

He gives balance, but it's unclear if it really is changing results.

My question is: Does he have a long-term future with us?

We signed him for £12M, rising to £16M. Would you pay the £4M add-ons?

Next issue: the lad is out of contract in 2027, so would you give him a new deal?

Or sell him in the summer, getting some cash on a player who's played less than 60 games in 4½ years?

If he breaks down between now and the end of the season, does that change that view?

David West 14 Posted 05/02/2026 at 18:47:45

I do get the feeling that Patterson knows himself he's not here long term, why would you be totally committed and give your all if the manager drops you after not making a mistake and performing well, for a 6ft-6in central defender who struggles with the ball in possession?

He knows we are searching for a right-back, so he's probably thinking: "I'll go if I'm not wanted, trusted or needed".

He's never had a prolonged run of games, had a different manager everytime he's got himself fit again, so I do think a run of games would help him settle down, build a relationship with the other defenders and the winger in front of him.

It's a case of bad luck and bad timing for the lad. With the injuries and manager changes, some players just don't make it at certain clubs.

We look like a better balanced side with a true right-back, think how long it's been since Seamus started to decline and got injury-prone...

Kenny, Godfrey, Garner, O'Brien and Patterson -- all trying but failed to make it their own.

Every game, O'Brien is adjusting to be a right-back is a game he's not gaining experience, knowledge and knowhow at centre-back, which could be even worse long term than playing Patterson in his natural position!

David West 15 Posted 05/02/2026 at 18:49:38

SORT THE EDIT BUTTON !!!!!!!!!

Christy Ring 16 Posted 05/02/2026 at 18:53:06

Patterson deserves a chance, especially as he's done nothing wrong in his last few games.

As O'Brien said himself, he's 6ft-6in and not suited to full-back. But Moyes at times doesn't like change.

Paul Griffiths 17 Posted 05/02/2026 at 19:20:16

David, 15, it's maddening. How many times over how many months have we asked for this to be done? We get assurances from the 'team' that it will be done and -- nothing.

Why not ask Lyndon to come and fix it for old time's sake. Evertonia's edit button always works. Technical issues under the 'old team' were always sorted out as quickly as possible and we got messages and threads with updates.

Dale Self 18 Posted 05/02/2026 at 19:28:56

Paul and David, haven't you read that we are one of 10 sites the tech people service?

You gotta know your place, man. (And yes, I know 'gotta' probably riles proper English gentlemen. Sorry about that.)

Paul Griffiths 20 Posted 05/02/2026 at 19:32:24

Erm - 10 - 'featured high on their list' in Holy Boyland's words is hardly the same as 'we did move on two right-backs'. In fact, they are quite different.

Also, Tete, right at the start of the window, I know about. Can you show the evidence 'that we offered Sanchez and Justin'? I don't doubt it, I just want to see it. Funny that Leicester seemed happy to pack Justin off to Leeds.

John Chambers 22 Posted 05/02/2026 at 20:32:41

Ian, good questions...

And the only way we will find an answer to them is to give him a few games.

Tony Abrahams 23 Posted 05/02/2026 at 21:25:10

Ian@13, in our last six games we have took seven points from nine, with Patterson, playing fullback and two points from nine, when he has been left out of the team.

I thought Moyes, made a terrible mistake leaving Patterson, out against Brentford, after we had just won at Forest, and I thought O’Brien, had one of his best games in a blue shirt, when he moved back into the middle of our defence at Villa, to accommodate Patterson, at fullback.

Loads of lip service in that Athletic report Mike, well that’s how I feel anyway after constantly watching Jake O’Brien, ‘checking back’ when he plays as a fullback.

Ian Bennett 24 Posted 05/02/2026 at 21:41:44

Tony, I don't disagree on the selection. Id have stuck by him, and said as much with preview teams.

But I am not sure I would be offering him a new deal, or not cashing in on him in the summer.

You know better than me. But if youve mentally made a decision that he will be moved on, do you still play him? Do you put him over players you want longer term?

Similar with Mcneil. They prepared to sell him on Monday. How much time can he expect to play? What's the reaction of other players when he gets minutes over them, when the gaffer will be selling them next summer?

Derek Thomas 25 Posted 05/02/2026 at 21:53:32

Patric; Don't tell me mate, tell Moyes - and good luck with that.

I personally think that, except in very short emergency doses, playing people out of position is not a good thing.

I've got nothing too damning on a 'Wall of Four' as a concept, Ancellotti did OK with it after he was forced into it due Delph injuring himself breaking into a trot Vs Burnley(?)

Moyes started with it from the Kick Off, but due to the way he 'instructed / set up' the starting 11 it was...not for the first time...a 1st half disaster.

Yet for the 2nd half when he 'Instructed / set up' the very same 11 in a different manner - got a very different improved performance.

I've lost count over 20+ yrs, of the number of times people have written on here after yet another poor performance - if only we'd played like that the whole game not just the last 20, 25 pick a number mins.

Anyway - don't tell me mate - tell the man that sets them up for the 1st half...and the 2nd.

Paul Griffiths 26 Posted 05/02/2026 at 22:00:40

Is that so Dale mate (18)? I didn't know or had forgotten that. Was it UB40: 'I am the one in ten"?

So, in the same way that Saint Daniel the Absent prefers Roma over us, we are way down the list of preferences with the 'techies'.

Stu Gre 27 Posted 05/02/2026 at 23:43:09

For me the bottom line, regardless of the assist statistics, is that the team plays better with proper fullback. When Patterson plays, even if he seemingly has a bad game, the other players are better. Apparently Gareth Barry had 2 goals and zero assists in 99 games for us yet I remember him being good.

Stats can be used to beat someone but don't tell the whole story. Patterson, Imo, makes the team better regardless of his stats.

Jake O'Brien hasn't exactly set the assists records on fire.

Mike Gaynes 28 Posted 06/02/2026 at 01:19:07

Of course the team would be more 'balanced' and play more attractively with Patterson at right back, but would we get better results?

Obviously Moyes doesn't think so. Or he wouldn't keep picking O'Brien over Patterson every chance he gets. He clearly values O'Brien's defensive consistency over Patterson's better crosses.

Does anybody think Davey's gonna change his mind?

Si Cooper 29 Posted 06/02/2026 at 01:43:23

I am surprised by the lack of appreciation of Jake O’Brien. For me his inclusion at right-back last season was a key factor in turning around what was in danger of being a disastrous campaign.

I’ve always wanted Nathan Patterson to succeed because I do think the full-back position is best filled by highly mobile players, but I’ve seen him play very poorly at times.

Latterly he has improved so hopefully he is now coming good. I’d be disappointed if his future at Everton has already been set in stone so I do hope he gets a decent streak of games to properly assess him.

Hopefully he can get his opportunity without others feeling they are being demoted. I personally haven’t seen too much evidence the team automatically plays better when Patterson starts. He does need to start getting some assists because he isn’t a factor at set pieces and remains bottom of the options if you look at goal scoring or creating.

Steve Brown 30 Posted 06/02/2026 at 03:40:28

Moyes will have seen the final result against BHA as vindication for picking 4 centre backs.

I would be very surprised if he changes the selection, despite the team producing a terrible first half performance.

Paul Griffiths 31 Posted 06/02/2026 at 04:20:59

Care to respond to #20 MG?

Mike Gaynes 32 Posted 06/02/2026 at 05:04:34

Why? I read these resources, keep notes, post information for those interested. You can't be bothered. If you're curious about the quality of what I post, do your own research. It's all right out there if you're willing to make the effort. Which you are not.

Ajay Gopal 33 Posted 06/02/2026 at 05:25:46

Moyes has this maddening stubborn streak and he refuses to play players in their proper positions until his hand is forced. I remember us spunking a lot of money (in those days) on Baines only for Moyes to play Lescott at LB for most of that season. If memory serves me right, an injury crisis at CB (Stubbs/Weir/Yobo?) forced Lescott to CB and Baines to LB, and the rest, as they say, is history. I like Patterson as a player, and I think there is a bit of a myth built up in these TW pages, that he is not ‘positionally aware’, and that he is not good enough. I honestly have yet to see him have a disastrous game. I do remember him missing a sitter in front of an open goal in one of the early games a few seasons ago and that seemed to drain him of confidence and maybe that is when some fans turned on him. I see a good right back in him, and if Moyes is patient and develops him, maybe he can uncover another hidden gem.

Paul Griffiths 34 Posted 06/02/2026 at 05:30:33

So you can't tell MG. A very simple question. what do you base this on that you cannot answer but need to answer to establish authenticity. Instead, you say find out yourself. First time I think that I have ever read anything like that on these pages.

'Post information for those interested. ' Information is only credible if we know its source. You claim that you do but won't tell us what it is. Bizarre but this is not the first time. Remember the 'guarantee' that Saint Daniel the Absent was falling for us - and more besides? You have your 'notes' of the necessary sources for credibility but you will not share them. Yet you ram Holy Boyland down our throats and note sources in other posts.

Interesting. As someone who works with sources and evidence each day of the week in my professional capacity nothing you say in 10 - was it? - is validated, none of it can be believed.

The list that keeps on growing.

Paul Griffiths 35 Posted 06/02/2026 at 05:31:50

'Why'? Dear God.

Ian Bennett 36 Posted 06/02/2026 at 06:55:42

Article yesterday that they went in for Boey at bayern Munich, he said no, and went Turkey.

Strong links with the African striker that stayed at Fenerbache.

Duran left Fenerbache for St Petersburg.

Holm was signed by Juventus. Links were there for a productive right back.

Now whether there was genuine interest, or just using our name to push through a deal, who knows.

But some moved, so were gettable.

37 Posted 06/02/2026 at 07:35:53

Of course I can. I have many, many times. But I've long ago learned that with you it's wasted time.

When I answer your "questions" you either insult or ignore the replies. If I link or cut-and-paste from appropriate sources you abandon the conversation, and when I properly add the word "reportedly" as a qualifier for an uncertain source, you deride it. You've no doubt noticed that when anyone else asks for this information, I'm happy to provide it, but with you it's pointless. You acknowledge neither the information nor the effort.

You've been at this deliberate smear campaign for the better part of 15 years -- the word "obsession" doesn't even begin to cover it -- and my friends who know you have shared more than enough information for me to understand well. Your repetitive derision is so predictable that I will sometimes intentionally post something just to enjoy the certainty of your response, and I am never disappointed.

I do find considerable amusement in the fact that you pay closer attention to my words than my lovely wife does. (She certainly doesn't repeat them for years afterwards.) I suppose it could be viewed as flattering if it weren't so downright weird.

And I truly thank you for the biggest laugh you have ever given me with your assertion about your professional acquaintance with "sources and evidence"... given that you report on the 16th century. After 50 years of dealing with breaking news as it happens on a daily basis, I would be delighted to compare my expertise on information-gathering and sourcing with yours... but again, it would be an utter waste of my time.

Danny Baily 38 Posted 06/02/2026 at 07:47:20

100% Patto should be given a run at right-back.

We've had some of our best performances when players are deployed in their favoured positions. We might have gotten the winner against Leeds had he stayed on.

Mike Gaynes 39 Posted 06/02/2026 at 07:52:34

Yep, Ian #36, and it's frustrating as hell when you don't know why these efforts fail. Maybe it's money, maybe it's CL, maybe it's just the players' preference, we don't always find out.

In the case of Holm, both Corriere dello Sport and Fabrizio Romano reported that he was really comfortable in Italy after playing for three clubs there. And Juve is the most prestigious landing spot in Serie A.

I hoped we could bag Juanlu Sanchez, but about 20 media sources have reported him to be only interested in Napoli, and his people waved off approaches from us and Wolves among others. Napoli and Sevilla couldn't close a deal, however, and Corriere and The Athletic report we still want him.

Darren Hind 40 Posted 06/02/2026 at 08:07:51

I wonder how many different answers you would get if you asked 20 Evertonians which back four they would go with... Or even back three?

I do know some would name a back four... then pretend the left-back wasn't there and call it a back three.

Ian Bennett 41 Posted 06/02/2026 at 08:09:32

Ajsy 33 - I'll pick up on this, as its a popular myth trotted out on these pages as fact.

There is never any context of why Moyes played Lescott over Baines, just that he is defensive luddite.

The Patterson situation and Baines is totally different. One inherited, one signed, different team strength, different injuries, different team difficienency.

Here are is some context.

1. Baines at the time was the second highest transfer fee paid in our history at the time. He may well have been pushed by Irvine, but he was still our 2nd highest transfer fee. The manager had more faith in him, than the hierarchy that had released him 6 odd years earlier.

2. Lescott actually played very well that season. If I remember rightly, we had a decent League Cup run to the semi finals, narrowly losing to a Chelsea side that was strong.

3. Leighton Baines played 29 games that season. Now for a 22-year-old coming from a relegation-threatened Wigan, that's not too bad. It's actually pretty decent, as he missed 20 games through injury that season. This was early in his time where he had indifferent form, rather than the Rolls-Royce he became when he secured his spot.

4. The backup left-back Valente was also injured. He missed 22 games that season.

5. Now would Moyes have still picked Lescott over Baines and Valente? Who the hell knows. But he sure can't pick them when they've missed that volume of games, predominantly at the start of the season.

John Collins 42 Posted 06/02/2026 at 08:16:11

Some would call it a back four and drag up the week-old debate just to cause a nark.

Have a hair of the dog, me owld mate!

Darren Hind 43 Posted 06/02/2026 at 08:24:54

Can anyone remember the name of that black box - Leela James song ?

John Collins 44 Posted 06/02/2026 at 08:27:05

Couples Therapy?

Darren Hind 45 Posted 06/02/2026 at 08:29:42

Gorra get up,Gorra get up, Gorra get up

John Collins 46 Posted 06/02/2026 at 08:44:39

Images of a veteran raver.

I hope you've got your whistle and flourescent light going.

Darren Hind 47 Posted 06/02/2026 at 08:55:27

I'm Ebeneeeza good, John

John Collins 48 Posted 06/02/2026 at 09:05:49

You mostly are, Darren.

Dave Abrahams 49 Posted 06/02/2026 at 09:38:20

Ian (41) Interesting you mention Valente, can't remember his first name.

He was another who Moyes said was very good to have around the club off the field, good for moral and team spirit.

To me, he wasn't all that good on the field -- where he's getting paid to be good.

Keith Harrison 50 Posted 06/02/2026 at 10:10:50

Was it Ride On Time, Dazza? Thought you were a Rocker pal??

Nuno Valente?

Brian Harrison 51 Posted 06/02/2026 at 10:13:58

I think it will be interesting to see what side Moyes selects as, apart from Grealish, he may have a full squad to pick from.

For me, the most interesting selection will be who plays on the opposite flank to Ndiaye? Will it be our new loan player, or the player we paid in excess of £40M for? Or the player who we looked to sell earlier in the week?

Who will make up the back 4? For me, it should be Branthwaite and Keane as centre-backs but I know Moyes will pick Tarkowski; hopefully we don't play 4 centre-backs again.

The midfield picks itself but who will he bring off the bench in the 2nd half? I am not his biggest fan but I thought Alcaraz did well when he came on last week. Who does he play up front? For me, I would play Beto.

But it's really nice to have so many possible permutations.

John Collins 52 Posted 06/02/2026 at 10:30:32

4 centre-backs, Brian?

He would play the 4 in every remaining game if he can...

Steve Brown 53 Posted 06/02/2026 at 10:41:54

Moyes will pick the following side:

PickfordO'Brien Tarkowski Keane BranthwaiteGueye GarnerArmstrong Dewsbury-Hall NdiayeBarry.

Here is the team he should play:

PickfordPatterson Tarkowski O'Brien BranthwaiteGarner Dewsbury-HallNdiaye Alcaraz GeorgeBarry.

John Collins 54 Posted 06/02/2026 at 10:45:57

Two wingers, Steve?

Moyes??? :-)

Philip Devlin 55 Posted 06/02/2026 at 11:05:27

If it's Chukwueze on the left for Fulham, he's a left-footer, less likely to cut inside, so Patterson might be better at closing him down than O'Brien.

And a mercurial 19-year-old George up against 30-year-old Teté could do a whole lotta damage.

Steve Brown 56 Posted 06/02/2026 at 12:21:39

John,

I would pick 2 wingers... but Moyes definitely won't.

Ian Bennett 57 Posted 06/02/2026 at 12:27:13

I am as keen as anyone to see him, but his last game was mid-December, I think.

The medical advice will be he won't be match-fit to start.

John Collins 58 Posted 06/02/2026 at 12:36:25

Steve, me too; he won't.

Ian, given that, how do you get players "match fit"?

Ian Bennett 59 Posted 06/02/2026 at 12:49:07

I guess build up time on the pitch gradually from the bench seems to be the usual approach, and very intense training games. Just need to avoid injuries from a lack of fitness. Rohl sounded like that, but I could be wrong.

Pitching players in, is usually only when you have nothing left -- ie, Patterson at Forest.

Andy Meighan 60 Posted 06/02/2026 at 13:23:50

My opinion and mine only, it'll be the same back 4 which played against Brighton, and I've got a strong feeling he'll play McNeil. If he plays him on the right, we all know how that'll pan out.

In theory, Patterson should play right-back with Keane benched, Branthwaite at left-back, Tarkowski and O'Brien in the middle.

But he won't... not a prayer.

Ian Bennett 61 Posted 06/02/2026 at 13:38:08

Pictures show Mykolenko in training, so I think he will back in. I'd think he'd pick experience where he can:-

Pickford O'Brien Tarkowski Branthwaite Mykolenko Garner Gana Ndiaye Dewsbury-Hall AlcarazBarry

I'd play Patterson over O'Brien, but I think Moyes has made his mind up on him.

Raymond Fox 62 Posted 06/02/2026 at 14:14:02

None of our managers have fancied Patterson for other than a stand-in.

As I said before, his play is okay without being great, but whether he is a waste of space behind the scenes we don't know. It's a bit of a mystery and I would give him a few games to see what he's made off.

Steve's team would be my choice.

Keith Harrison 63 Posted 06/02/2026 at 15:32:46

Keane deserves to keep his place more than Tarkowski, tbh, but we can conjecture all we like on here, Davie will pick the 11 he feels safest with.

I watched Patterson playing for Scotland, and the boy certainly had plenty of ability prior to his injuries - usually with the Scotland camp.

We aren't getting relegated, lets have a real crack at Europe by playing on the front foot, attacking teams and hopefully scoring more than them.

We do have the personnel, and I would keep Gana gueye, Iroegbunam, McNeil, and even Tarkowski away from the squad as much as possible. Minimise Mykolenko's involvement too.

My opinion only, but I do know it would in no way align with Daveys.

Ho hum

Mike Gaynes 64 Posted 06/02/2026 at 15:52:12

Brian #51, yes, it definitely is.

Actual depth in the squad. What a concept.

Dave Abrahams 65 Posted 06/02/2026 at 16:19:52

Keith (50),

Yes it was Nuno Valente. He retired from football after he left Everton and became our scout in Portugal, appointed by Moyes. He lasted 12 months in that position.

Filipe Torres 66 Posted 06/02/2026 at 19:20:41

Allllll we are sayyyiiiing is give him a chaaance!!Everybody, all we are sayyyiing is give Patto a chance!!! Come on, you. all we are sayyyyying is... You know how it goes!!

Gonna take my meds now, thanks!!!

Darren Hind 67 Posted 06/02/2026 at 20:00:57

Keith H

Long time no speak. Hope you and yours are keeping well.

The Ride on time quiz was a little bit of fun mate. I've just stumbled across a Jon and Vangelis album -- The Friends Of Mr Cairo.

Thirty eight years after it was released, but better late than never. I'm enjoying it!

Keith Harrison 68 Posted 06/02/2026 at 21:48:39

Does it have State of Independence on it, Darren. One of Vangelis's best. Also a very good version by Donna Summer pal.

We're very well thanks with a notable exception that I'd rather leave off here.

I can still remember your hatred of Slidin'in (Morgan) and other Koeman signings, and your banter with ToffeeWeb posters then.

Good to hear from you again, hope your family are well, and look forward with hope as there is a squad building here, Rome wasn't built in a day, and a new forward thinking manager can take us a lot higher.

Take care pal.

Keith Harrison 69 Posted 06/02/2026 at 21:51:27

Darren, Rugby Union is my game, but I've just been locally to Workington to see St Helens put 98 points on Town. Talk about one-way traffic.Frozen solid now, and having a cuppa at home.

Come on Everton and England tomorrow.