2025/26 Nathan Patterson

[Evertonthat]

None of that works because O'Brien at RB - admittedly a step up from putting Patterson in there again - doesn't work for us.

The foundations of the win the other night were the back four. O'Brien was MOTM and Tarkowski had his best game all season because he knew what Jake was up to and vice versa.

Dont go with that back four again and we're a midden waiting to ship 2/3 goals.

If we're short in MF, btw, then look no further than Moyes allowing Armstrong to leave on loan.

Armstrong would be pretty useful right now, but wouldn't have benefitted from his development at Preston if he was in our squad, he'd not have played much.

We also still need a team for Forest, and right now (assuming Keane is still out) the options are either a makeshift RB or a makeshift CM, or... we play CM Garner at CM and RB Patterson at RB. I'd rather see Garner at RB, but the hole at CM would be a bigger problem than the hole at RB.

 

[Eggs]

Patterson is being shown as injured and not back until 13th December. I think this forces Moyes hand. Garner to RB and roll the dice for CM

….i think I’d be ‘rolling the dice’ at RB than CM.

 

[Marius57]

Patterson is being shown as injured and not back until 13th December. I think this forces Moyes hand. Garner to RB and roll the dice for CM

He was on the bench on Tuesday.

If Keane is fit, it will be JOB at RB.
If Keane isn’t fit, I expect it to be Garner at RB with McNeil starting and the CM pairing being KDH and Alcaraz.

 

[laudo9]

….the only consistent thing about his performances is that they’ve been consistently bad.

Saying that, if Keane joins Iroegbunam and Gueye on the sidelines then he might have to start as Garner will surely be required in CM.

Give him a run of games and with the joint motivation of first team football and the possibility of playing in the World Cup he will flourish.
Surely?

 

[RichCee123]

Could Jimmy Gardener not play one role and James Garner the other?

 

[Eggs]

Give him a run of games and with the joint motivation of first team football and the possibility of playing in the World Cup he will flourish.
Surely?

….giving underperforming players a ‘run of games’ always makes me laugh. If he plays tomorrow it’s out of necessity, you wouldn’t want to extend that with better options available.

 

[RichCee123]

….not sure if there’s no intention to play him. Saying that, the U21s could be utilised. A bit surprised Dibling isn’t having a few games at that level.

So difficult at the moment as need to balance match fitness vs more injuries playing.
Assume the S&C team makes these calls

 

[Joey66]

He was on the bench on Tuesday.

If Keane is fit, it will be JOB at RB.
If Keane isn’t fit, I expect it to be Garner at RB with McNeil starting and the CM pairing being KDH and Alcaraz.

If he plays I will go out for the afternoon - its a joke of a manager...

 

[jazzy]

If Keane is fit JOB reverts back to RB allowing Garner to partner KDG in midfield.

Weaker at centre back and full back but stronger in midfield.

If Keane isn't fit then JOB stays at CH. Good.
However, does Garner go to RB and Alcaraz central midfield? I hope not because that midfield would give me kittens.

In that scenario I'd roll the dice and keep Garner in midfield with KDH ( our best available pairing) with Alcaraz at 10 and play / pray Patterson at RB.

At least you've only weakened one position that way.

 

[laudo9]

….giving underperforming players a ‘run of games’ always makes me laugh. If he plays tomorrow it’s out of necessity, you wouldn’t want to extend that with better options available.

He's only got one way of proving the likes of yourself wrong, play him!

Plenty of other 'underperforming' players have been given the opportunity to change fans perspective(Keane for instance!)

Seems to be a different agenda regarding Patterson, to be given a decent chance to prove the doubters /haters wrong regarding his form and ability to stay injury free?

 

[mikel_88]

Dont think the lad has a future here but if fit and keane is out just an easier fit to play him in his natural position. Instead of moving players out would worry about the midfield balance if garner was not in there. Is a great chance for him to even put himself in the shop window for other clubs to look at him

 

[PITA]

Could Jimmy Gardener not play one role and James Garner the other?

Did you mean Joey Gardner?

 

[maccavennie]

If Keane is fit JOB reverts back to RB allowing Garner to partner KDG in midfield.

Weaker at centre back and full back but stronger in midfield.

If Keane isn't fit then JOB stays at CH. Good.
However, does Garner go to RB and Alcaraz central midfield? I hope not because that midfield would give me kittens.

In that scenario I'd roll the dice and keep Garner in midfield with KDH ( our best available pairing) with Alcaraz at 10 and play / pray Patterson at RB.

At least you've only weakened one position that way.

Absolutely spot on this. Instead of messing around with 3 areas, just fix the one area where there is an actual recognised right back. If Patterson has a nightmare game well thats tough isnt it, thats what happens with poor summer recruitment and injuries/suspensions kicking in. Jake was great at centre half, leave him there. We know Garner can play right back but we're so short in midfield so needs must and he should partner KDH. Give Alacaraz another game in that 10 position. Ndiaye we know will help Patterson as much as possible.