How Sean Dyche can Solve his Big Everton issue vs Burnley
Today is Everton’s return to play as they look to defeat Burnley and make it four straight Premier League victories.
Even though it appears to be the simplest of the three games they have already won, they will be playing a team lower in the standings for the first time since their ten-point deduction.
The Toffees will have an interesting mental challenge to overcome, but Sean Dyche will have been eager to get his team ready for it.
That is not the only hurdle the 52-year-old has had to overcome this week though, contending with injuries and suspensions in key areas.
However, with the news that both Seamus Coleman and Ashley Young are doubtful, it at least makes his decision at right-back easy. Nathan Patterson must start.
How good has Nathan Patterson been since he signed for Everton?
In a move that many fans have called for in recent months, now marks the first real opportunity for the Scotsman to stake his starting claim and keep the shirt from his two ageing teammates.
If he can keep his right flank locked down, easing the mini-crisis felt in that position, there is every chance he could maintain that spot.
Since joining Everton in 2022, the £16m dynamo has struggled to find consistent minutes in the senior squad due to suffering injuries at the worst possible moments.
However, there have been glimpses of his talent during those starting spells.
After all, the 22-year-old boasts a physicality and dynamism unlike anything they have had since Coleman was young, and just last term was averaging 2.6 tackles and 1.9 clearances per game in the league, via Sofascore.
He had one of his best games against Brighton and Hove Albion, who they shocked 5-1 at the end of the previous season. Dyche would lavish the full-back with praise, saying, “I thought Pato (Patterson) was terrific, coming in for Seamus (Coleman), who has been amazing since he got to the club. (Kaoru) Mitoma has been arguably one of the best wide players in the Premier League this year and I thought Pato was tremendous.” After shutting down one of the best wingers in the Premier League that day, he will aim to regain focus and demonstrate why he deserves a long-term opportunity.
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