James Garner was deployed at right-back in Everton’s game with Manchester United, and his post-match comments won’t have made Nathan Patterson feel much better.
Everton fell to a 1-0 defeat at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Benjamin Sesko’s breakaway goal the difference.
David Moyes was unable to select Jake O’Brien for the clash, after he’d picked up a red card against Bournemouth.
After plenty of debate amongst fans, it was James Garner who replaced him – and what he said after the game may not have been welcomed by Nathan Patterson.
James Garner embraces right-back role in blow for Nathan Patterson
James Garner playing for Everton.
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
With O’Brien suspended, it really felt like the moment to bring Patterson back into the starting XI, being the natural option.
Patterson has actually had some decent games in recent weeks for the Toffees, such as against Nottingham Forest and Sunderland in the FA Cup.
Just lately though, he’s sunk back into the shadows, and his snub by Moyes for the United game would have been frustrating.
And in a blow to his prospects, Garner ended up having another very good game.
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And afterwards, Garner essentially gave Moyes the green light to continue picking him there, saying: “I don’t mind. I feel like I have a good game pretty much wherever I’ve played this season. Left-back, right-back. Today was just the same. Like I said, I felt comfortable there.
“And yeah, wherever my manager wants me to play, I’ll do the job.”
There was no suggestion that he would prefer to play in his natural position of midfield. Just that he would happily play anywhere for Moyes.
Such openness will surely only encourage the manager to keep considering Garner to play at right-back, most likely at Patterson’s expense.
Patterson clearly out of favour
We know Moyes loves to put square pegs in round holes, but Patterson not playing against United really did just say it all.
The Scot could have kept Garner in midfield and paired him with Tim Iroegbunam, allowing Patterson to come in at right-back and Idrissa Gana Gueye to perhaps drop to the bench amid poor form.
Nathan Patterson playing for Everton.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
But it wasn’t to be, and Patterson’s position in the pecking order is crystal clear.
Two players who aren’t natural full-backs are ahead of him, and what a frustrating situation this must be – especially when he’s had a number of decent outings not that long ago.
With O’Brien now available again, it’s hard to see where the minutes will come from Patterson, who couldn’t be blamed if he agitated to leave this summer.
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