Distin nowhere near ready to quit

Lyndon Lloyd , 3 December, 10comments | Jump to most recent

Sylvain Distin says that the time he has spent on the substitutes' bench at times this season confirmed for him that he is not yet ready to leave top level football.

The Frenchman has traded places in the first team with John Heitinga at times this season as David Moyes has sought his best central defensive pairing and he admits that he didn't like being out of the starting lineup.

"Being on the bench, I didn't like it and I think it's my longest spell on the bench since I started football," he says.

"I did hate it but I did try to take the positives out of it and it made me realise that I'm not ready to stop at all.

"I'm not ready to be on the bench at all and that's a good thing. I'm working hard every day not to be on the bench, but we have four great centre-backs."

The 34 year-old recognises that the competition is healthy, though, and insists that there is no ill feeling between those players vying for the two starting central slots in David Moyes's defence.

"We have an England international (Phil Jagielka), a Dutch international who played in the final of the World Cup (John Heitinga) and then you have me and (Shane) Duffy.

"It's tough competition but it is healthy competition. We enjoy playing with each other and there is no tension between us.

"This can only make us better and we know that we have to perform week in and week out, otherwise there will be another two players who will be picked."

Moyes has already admitted that he thinks Distin should be offered a new deal when his current one-year contract extension expires in the summer and his form so far this season would back that up.

The former Manchester City and Portsmouth man would welcome that, having admitted himself that he would like to finish his playing career at Goodison.

"The reason I am in England is to play against the best strikers and I would rather have those kind of challenges every week rather than play in a league where I don't enjoy my football.

"I know it is difficult but that is what makes football magic for me."

Quotes or other material sourced from Sporting Life

Reader Comments (10)

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Trevor Lynes
1 Posted 03/12/2012 at 22:13:08

Great attitude and total professionalism. Distin is a fantastic example to any young player, he retains his pace and positional sense. A perfect partner for Jagielka. Those two should be inked in every week, but it's nice to be able to play Heitinga or Duffy if either are injured or suspended.
If I were Heitinga, I would look at a holding midfield position as that would possibly be a better option for him than centre back. He lacks pace and sufficient strength and height to challenge for high balls with tall strikers.

Duffy looks a more natural centre back and should be the obvious replacement for Distin when Sylvain is ready to hang his boots up. DM knows when and if Duffy has the ability to step up... I really hope the lad makes it. It would be fantastic to see another young Everton player come through.

Mark Lennon
2 Posted 04/12/2012 at 07:40:29

One of Moyes's best signings to be fair. Not just on ability and reading the game but also on attitude. Unfortunately the semi-final mistake will stick in most people's minds but he has been a rock other than that.

James Stewart
3 Posted 04/12/2012 at 20:19:17

Too many mistakes otherwise he would be one of the best in the world.

Peter Laing
4 Posted 05/12/2012 at 22:42:24

Great player, Sylvain... another example of a player we should have signed way before he finally arrived. If we can get Lescott in on loan and then re-signed next summer, I cannot see Sylvain staying on beyond his contract expiry; however, he would be well worth keeping on as experience to whoever Moyes recruits to replace Distin — or if Duffy is deemed ready for the first team.

Anto Byrne
5 Posted 06/12/2012 at 05:59:42

I still ain't forgiven him for that schoolboy error that set up rat face in the semi. Fifty thousand reasons each week not to make that sort of basic error.

Re-sign Lescott for £5mil at least he gets on the scoresheet. Distin is short for Disasterous and he should have been shown the exit door in the summer. My least favourite player, big clumsly mistake prone lump of lard.

From what I've seen of Duffy, he should be pressing for games.

Michael Kenrick
6 Posted 06/12/2012 at 06:59:45

It's simply astounding to see that Duffy has been around for 3½ years. Yes, he had that dreadful injury, but that was 2½ years ago.

He has sat on the bench for over half the Premier League games this season... totally unused. One sub appearance — half a game against Leyton Orient. That's it.

Moyes seems to have become even more cautious this season in terms of 'unnecessary' blooding of the youngsters — Barkley's last three 'games' being a case in point.

Tom Dodds
7 Posted 06/12/2012 at 07:54:59

Totally agree with MK above.

Why oh why oh bloody-well why are we waiting for 'a' or any youngster for that matter to get a game?????

What is the bloody point of having a school/academy (and staff) WHICH NOBODY EVER GRADUATES FROM??????

Edward Simpson
8 Posted 06/12/2012 at 08:08:37

Anto,

Are you mad? He's been one of our best defenders in Moyes's time as manager.

How you can't forgive him for one mistake is beyond me, the guy has put some truly fantastic performances in recently.

A wonderful professional who I'm sure has at least another year or two at his best playing for Everton.

Paul Mackie
9 Posted 06/12/2012 at 10:23:24

Michael: At what point this season would you have subbed Duffy on? We've been dropping points for the last month with our way more experienced defenders, let alone with a largely unproven one.

If we're ever 3-0 up and cruising at the 60 minute mark then by all means throw him on but I actually agree with Moyes on this one. He works with Duffy on a daily basis. If he was better than any of our existing first team players I'm sure we'd have seen more of him.

Gavin Fennessy
10 Posted 06/12/2012 at 19:45:19

I have liked what I seen of Duffy so far – reminds me a bit of Davie Weir but with better passing! I think he will get a chance at some stage this season and I hope he steps up when called upon. He does need some game time to see if he can operate at this level.

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