Nathan Patterson must seize perfect chance to reignite stalled Everton career
With Ashley Young suspended and Seamus Coleman injured, the Scotland international could be recalled into the side for Sunday's Premier League clash at West Ham United
In his relatively short Everton career, Nathan Patterson has already developed some curious links with West Ham United.
"Patterson turned his ankle in training yesterday, which is disappointing as he's in a really good moment after the international break," said Frank Lampard after Everton's 2-1 loss at the London Stadium in 2022.
"He would have made his [Premier League] debut today. We need to get it scanned but it might not be a good one."
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It was not a good one - the young Scot missed the remainder of the season due to the injury. As a result, the only minutes he had in the 2021-22 campaign following a January transfer from Rangers were 45 against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup. Then Blues boss Lampard hooked him at half-time against the non-league side.
He then watched on as Everton barely avoided relegation, while his former club embarked on an amazing run to the Europa League final. As starts go at a new club, it was brutal.
But things improved. In the following campaign under Lampard the Scotland international finally started to build momentum. Patterson was exceptional in the early weeks of the season and played a pivotal role in the club's first win of the term - 1-0 over West Ham.
"Strong running going forward and hard work in defence ensured he had the measure of Pablo Fornals before the West Ham United man made way," was Chris Beesley's verdict, as he awarded Patterson a joint-high eight out of 10 score in the ECHO player ratings. The right-back also made a supreme last-ditch tackle to deny Maxwell Cornet a late equaliser.
That was arguably the high point of Patterson's Everton career though, as fitness frailties and fluctuations in form left him on the fringes under Lampard and then current boss Sean Dyche.
This weekend, the 22-year-old feels like he's reached another critical point in his time with the Toffees. Of course, West Ham are the opponents.
While it may be overkill to place so much emphasis on one fixture, the door is wide open for Patterson to stride through, as Everton are depleted in the right-back position.
Ashley Youngis suspended after being beaten up by Luis Diaz in the Merseyside derby and although the 38-year-old has started every game this season in the Premier League, he has been far from convincing. Meanwhile, club captain Seamus Coleman is still sidelined after a serious injury last season. Dyche did confirm the skipper is back in full training on Friday though, meaning a return may not be too far away.
So as chances go for Patterson to lay a strong foundation for a prolonged run in the side, there may not be many better.
Patterson does have holes in his game. There are moments when he is rash defensively, while his delivery in general has been below-par in a blue shirt. But those same criticisms could easily be levied at the man 16 years his senior and even club icon Coleman.
Dyche may have a reputation for being cautious when it comes to young players, yet he has been rewarded for putting his faith in Jarrad Branthwaite this season, who found himself in a similar battle with Michael Keane. Branthwaite has not been without blemishes, but Evertonians are seeing a huge prospect blossom before their eyes. The time has arguably come to embark on a similar journey - one that will be full of peaks and troughs - with Patterson.
Should he get a chance and some renewed faith from the manager, it is also incumbent on Patterson to step up.
In the early weeks of the 2022-23 season there was a vigour and needle to his play that immediately endeared him to the Everton supporters. Every kick and every tackle was done so with spite and swagger. When he's been given chances recently, that edge has been diluted, potentially blunted by a lack of belief in his form and durability.
At West Ham, selection permitting, there is no excuse for that fire to be absent.
It would not have escaped Patterson as Young chased his tail at Anfield that it was against Liverpool and Diaz last season that he had arguably his best game in an Everton shirt. While he should not be throwing hissy fits at Finch Farm after being overlooked for the derby, some grievance at not being handed the chance to shackle the Colombian again could be effective if channelled in the right way.
Patterson will have immense respect for Coleman and Young given their respective achievements in football. But if he gets the shirt on Sunday, there should be an over-my-dead-body desperation to keep hold of it at any cost.
Looking ahead, there are also international commitments to consider. Patterson has lost his starting spot in the Scotland side in recent months and the team has flourished on their way to qualifying for Euro 2024. The Everton defender should be going all out to convince Steve Clarke he's the man to man to right flank in Germany.
But before thoughts turn to the summer, he has an Everton manager to win over before a gruelling winter.
"If you're looking for a right-back, I've found a Glaswegian" sing the Blues about the Scotland international on the terraces.
It's up to Patterson to prove them right.