Harrison Armstrong was given a start by David Moyes as Everton hosted Manchester United on Monday.
The Everton No.45 was actually making his sixth Premier League start since being recalled from Preston in January, but was once again put on the left wing despite being a central midfielder by trade.
After another ineffective display from Harrison Armstrong in this position, it is becoming quite obvious that David Moyes needs to end this experiment at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
What’s your thoughts after that, Toffees? 😫
Three points were there for the taking!
Everton vs Man United full time score
Credit: Getty Images/Simon Stacpoole/Offside
David Moyes is not helping Harrison Armstrong develop by putting him out wide
The England U19 international has made 51 appearances in central areas throughout his career so far, and had only previously played on the left flank a couple of times while in the Everton youth ranks.
Position Games Goals Assists
Central Midfield 26 3 1
Defensive Midfield 15 2 2
Attacking Midfield 10 0 2
Left Winger 6 1 0
Striker 2 0 0
Right Winger 3 0 1
However, Moyes has exclusively played Armstrong on the left – in the Premier League no less – since recalling the teenager from Preston, and is therefore not giving him the best possible chance of showing his true ability.
The 19-year-old has failed to score or assist in his nine Premier League appearances since returning to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and there was further evidence that Moyes is playing him in the wrong position when Manchester United came to visit.
The statistics which show Manchester United defeat has to signal the end of Harrison Armstrong experiment
Armstrong lasted 73 minutes before being replaced by Tyrique George, having failed to record a successful cross or a successful dribble – while also losing possession on ten occasions, according to Sofascore.
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The man born in West Derby also made just one defensive contribution.
Category Statistic
Goals 0
Assists 0
Crosses 0/1
Dribbles 0/1
Possession lost 10
Defensive contributions 1
We are by no means having a pop at Armstrong himself, as he clearly showed enough promise in central midfield at Preston to warrant being recalled by Everton.
The problem is that Moyes keeps putting him on the left flank, a position which largely requires speed in the Premier League – a trait Armstrong lacks despite his quality on the ball and his upper body strength.
It is unfair on the youngster to not only throw him in at the deep end, but also not give him the best possible chance of delivering his best. To make matters worse, natural wide options were sitting on the bench against Manchester United in George and Tyler Dibling.
Tim Iroegbunam was also quite ineffective, while Idrissa Gueye sees his contract expire this July and turns 37 in September regardless.
So, it would make sense for Moyes to replace one of the pair with Armstrong so he can play centrally, and put George or Dibling on the flank.
What did you make to George’s cameo? 🧐
Tyrique George stats vs Man United.
At the moment, there are far too many square pegs in round holes for Everton fans to stomach, including Jarrad Branthwaite at left-back and James Garner at right-back.
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