Paul Tait has shared how a second-half ‘change’ in Braiden Graham’s position got more out of the Everton youngster.
This comes as David Moyes will have an eye on the 18-year-old, Graham, who is stealing all of the headlines in the Finch Farm academy set-up.
Everton U21s took the lead again at Walton Hall Park on Friday evening, but they found themselves losing to Sunderland after a spell of madness in the first half.
Graham was unable to score his ninth goal of the season in the Premier League 2, with the forward often finding himself isolated out of possession.
There are plenty of Everton fans wanting Graham to be given his senior debut by Moyes over the coming weeks.
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However, the 62-year-old will need to pay close attention to Tait’s tactical reveal from Friday’s loss to the Black Cats.
Everton striker Braiden Graham.
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Everton’s system change that got the best out of Braiden Graham
Tait praised Graham’s ‘quality’ following the draw against Burnley earlier in the week, but the youngster struggled against Sunderland.
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Playing as the lone striker, Graham often found himself out of the game, which forced him to drop deeper and deeper just to get a touch.
During the second half, Graham was switched out to the left wing, with Tait admitting Everton looked better during that period.
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Everton striker Braiden Graham. Everton manager David Moyes.
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Kearns – CameraSport/Visionhaus.
“We changed the structure a little bit [at half-time] just to give us more of a chance to attack and some of that happened,” Tait told the Everton website.
“Like I say, we got into some really good positions and just didn’t quite take them.”
When he was playing as the striker, Graham picked up the Harry Kane role, where he would drop as deep as his own half to try and influence the game.
That left Everton without a focal point up front. However, when he was playing on the left, Graham looked at their most dangerous.
Much like the goal he scored for Keith Southern’s U18s last week against Ipswich Town, Graham’s best attribute is when he cuts inside from the left and can curl an effort on goal.
At the age of 18, there’s still plenty of time for Graham to work on his best position, but it will be something that Moyes is noting.
David Moyes will be aware of Graham’s Everton U21s performances
Moyes has already said he’s concerned about Graham’s physicality, with some suggesting he’s ready to play for the senior side.
Recent games in the youth divisions have shown perhaps that is not quite the case just yet.
Graham’s ability cannot be denied, with the Northern Irishman possessing a lot of technical ability on the ball.
Everton’s first-team are still in need of a prolific striker, who is able to hold the ball up and combine with his teammates.
Graham’s recent performances have looked lightweight even in the youth divisions.
There’s still a long way to go in Graham’s development, but Tait’s comments and Friday’s performance indicate a call-up may still be some way away for the 18-year-old.
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