Everton manager David Moyes is now giving Nathan Patterson the Tyler Dibling treatment at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, perhaps unfairly.
Moyes has done an excellent job with the Toffees since he rejoined the club in January last year, but some of his selection decisions have confused supporters regularly.
Everton are in the top half of the Premier League table, something that they could barely have imagined in recent years, usually battling to stay in the division.
In that sense, Moyes is doing a solid job, but there's no doubt certain aspects could be improved upon, especially if they want to progress as a club and go to the next level.
Moyes Handling of Certain Players Must be Questioned
Everton's Nathan Patterson
Premier League - Everton v Ipswich Town - Goodison Park, Liverpool, Britain - May 3, 2025 Everton's Nathan Patterson before the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
Moyes' treatment of young winger Dibling is something that has been criticised by many supporters this season. The former Southampton man has rarely been given an opportunity to impress with a run of games, often seeing players utilised out of position ahead of him on the wing.
Patterson is being given a similar treatment to Dibling. Moyes has regularly selected Jake O'Brien, a natural centre-back, ahead of him, and with the Irish international suspended against Manchester United on Monday, Patterson might have been expecting a call-up.
Instead, Moyes opted to play James Garner on the right-hand side of defence, despite the former United man being Everton's best midfielder this season.
When given a rare start this season, Patterson has barely put a foot wrong, but Moyes seems to have made up his mind on his fellow countryman.
Moyes handling of certain players really doesn't make sense, and it might come back to bite him in the future.
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Another Home Defeat for Everton
David Moyes
Patterson might be knocking on the door of Moyes this week after another disappointing home defeat for Everton.
Their full-back situation has been a problem for many years now, and although Patterson might not be the long-term answer, he's perhaps been treated unfairly by Moyes.
Removing Garner from the midfield due to not trusting Patterson didn't make a lot of sense, and the Merseyside outfit were defeated 1-0 at home to Manchester United.
The defeat leaves Everton still in the top half of the Premier League table, but a push for the European places is going to be tricky if they don't sort out their home form.