Having had to wait patiently for an opportunity under new Everton manager Sean Dyche, Nathan Patterson asserts that he understands the expectations placed on full-backs by his coach, writes the LiverpoolEcho. Despite joining the club in a £12 million transfer from Rangers on January 4 the previous year, just before Rafael Benitez’s departure, the Scottish international only saw 45 minutes of action in the FA Cup against non-League side Boreham Wood that season under Frank Lampard, who succeeded Benitez.
Patterson finally made his long-awaited Premier League debut seven months after joining, starting against Chelsea on the opening day of the 2022/23 season. Despite featuring in 15 matches under Lampard, he did not earn a spot in Dyche’s starting lineup until the resounding 5-1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on May 8. This opportunity arose after captain Seamus Coleman sustained an injury in the previous match against Leicester City. The 21-year-old enjoyed a three-game stint in the team but was unfortunately forced off in the first half against Wolverhampton Wanderers and subsequently missed Everton’s crucial final match against Bournemouth at home.
Patterson told evertonfc.com: “I know what the manager wants from his players and his full-backs, especially. It’s important to know how he wants us to play and what he wants from me.
“We quickly learned how he likes to work and how he keeps things level. You see it more after a positive moment. When you win you’re happy and on a high but as soon as it’s done, he’s moving on to the next one and focus turns quickly.
“One win doesn’t mean you’re going to stroll into the next and get three points – and it’s good to have that mindset because it keeps standards high. It goes both ways – after a defeat it means we stick together and keep working in the same consistent way.”