Jarrad Branthwaite made his first start of the season for Everton on Saturday.
The Everton No.32 appears to have finally shaken off his troublesome hamstring problem, and was fielded at left-back by David Moyes as the Toffees played out a 1-1 draw at Brighton.
Jarrad Branthwaite spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside after the draw, and his response when asked about one tactical decision was telling.
Wow, just wow! Sum that up for us, Toffees! 🤯
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Everton full time result vs Brighton & Hove Albion.
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Jarrad Branthwaite laughs when reporter mentions David Moyes starting four centre-backs
When the fact Moyes fielded two central defenders at full-back in himself and Jake O’Brien was mentioned, Branthwaite chuckled, suggesting he found that particular decision to be fairly baffling.
The England international proceeded to deliver a professional, media-trained response after the laugh when saying: “Yeah it was okay, different experience but it’s one of them where the manager asked me to play there. After being out for so long, I’m happy to be out on the pitch.”
When pushed to elaborate, Branthwaite said: “It was a late call with Myko (Mykolenko) picking up the little injury. Not sure who was gonna be playing there but Myko picked up the injury so I had to go there. Like I said I’m happy to play anywhere.”
Moyes could have fielded Adam Aznou down that side, a man who impressed hugely in the recent FA Cup defeat against Sunderland.
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The Glaswegian also could have started Nathan Patterson on the right, but opted to leave the Scotland international out in favour of O’Brien lining up on the right.
It was only when Patterson came on in the 89th minute that the Toffees started to look a bit more natural when attacking, with the Everton No.2 actually delivering three crosses in his short time on the pitch compared to just two from O’Brien across the entire 97 minutes.
Like Branthwaite said, he is never going to refuse to play in a certain position if Moyes asks him to, but the initial laugh at the BBC’s question potentially offered a glimpse into how the Everton squad feel about this odd tactical choice.
David Moyes has to drop Michael Keane
We cannot understand how the likes of Patterson and Aznou rarely get chances to shine, but Michael Keane now sits on 20 Premier League starts for the season.
The England international was once again unconvincing, and found himself totally lost as Pascal Gross put Brighton ahead after being dragged out to the left with little awareness of what he had left unattended in the centre.
Who was your most underwhelming Everton player vs Brighton? 😡
Some really poor displays out there! 🫣
Brighton & Hove Albion v Everton - Premier League
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It makes far more sense for Everton to field the left-footed Branthwaite next to the right-footed James Tarkowski to provide some balance to the backline, with Aznou coming in at left-back and Patterson on the right.
In truth, even Tarkowski has looked sluggish of late, so a partnership of Branthwaite and O’Brien should be considered, rather than wasting the duo in the full-back positions.
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