Patterson completes £11m transfer from Rangers to Everton

I've loved Coleman over the years but watching that fella decline on a weekly basis isn't nice at all and the only other alternatives are Kenny who's probably not good enough when all is said and done, or square pegs like Godfrey.

Patterson is highly rated, well if he's anything at all like that Scottish left full back across the park then I won't complain.

More to come hopefully.

I read the BBC article on Patterson today. I didn't realise he was 6ft 3. Seems a bit of a character too.

Not sure about having a right back wear number 3, but that's just the traditionalist in me, linked to my OCD.

Welcome.

And, I expect we will see Digne out in the next few days then.

Overall this and Mykolenko seem like good business, and straight into the frying pan and fire for both of them, I would imagine.

Will we also get the mooted midfield reinforcement? And will it be Coutinho or Longstaff or someone else? I can't imagine Newcastle selling anyone right now to be honest -- whereas Barca are desperate to offload Coutinho; not particularly sure I want either.

IRWT?

Maybe the No 3 shirt is so Rafa won't get so much heat when he plays him at left-back?

Sorry... too soon?

Can we offload some shite now. Delph, Holgate, Iwobi, Gomes, Davies and get one or two better quality players in.

Well, our last right back came from the League of Ireland, so I'll take Championship if he's that good at 20.

Mykolenko I believe is also just shy of being a six-footer full back.

Quite intriguing on many fronts these two signings. Possibly the fee is a little high for both players, but their age, profile and experience for lads so young (full internationals with CL experience) suggests a potentially high return on the investment. Something the club has evidently failed to do with Moshiri's monies.

I expected Brands to deliver more of this type of signing, albeit far cheaper and even less known. Kinda ironic that the manager charged with not giving kids a chance has rolled the dice with these two.

That Benitez is being backed by hard coin in this January window rather suggests Moshiri is determined to stick with him.

I have no qualms if Lucas Digne is sold in this window to help fund purchases. Again, it's something we have failed to do in recent years. Sell an ageing asset rather than retain him on a rolling contract until there is no chance of recouping any monies on a player.

All further evidence, if you like, that Rafa is the sole footy man at the club overseeing all things related to the first team.

He's still young, skill learning and developing.

He needs to understand when to defend properly and when to attack quickly, decisively and do both with quality and consistently.

He's sadly not going to be helped with our ever revolving centre back pairings and our 'a mistake coming' goalkeeper. Between them all it's staggering we haven't gone all out for a new centre back pairing.

I'm hoping to see Braithwaite and the 2 new full backs being thrown in against Hull. Holgate and Keane dropped. All out attack against Hull like a cup game should be.

See which player's have the head, heart and ability to make it work.

Shaun #17, spot on. We're usually slow on the trigger, but it seems we've got a fast gun in town now.

Clear and obvious to me that Benitez is going nowhere. The responsibility for cleaning up the mess is being left solely with him.

To my mind we’ve overpaid for them both by about 30% but nonetheless they seem sensible signings and players who can hopefully lock down the full back spots for a while like Baines and Coleman did.

I expect Patterson to be better going forward (though prone to rash shooting) and Mykolenko to be more solid defensively (he’s not easy to dribble past though prone to rash slide tackles).

Am I to conclude that, this being the case for not just one, but both of our new signings, then their quality and suitability for the task ahead is already compromised? It is interesting to ponder how young players who must be on the active tracking schedules of a great many clubs, are content to deal only with the one club when it finally comes to making a deal.

Where was the auction for these players? How did it shake down? Or was it enough for Everton to have made their interest known, and the competition for their signatures among a host of clubs in the market then simply respected that and they all backed off?

Seems equally hard to believe – especially as we've been groomed to think that the greedy slimeball agents will do anything they possibly can to make the best deal, and the fattest commison they possibly can?

Or is there some sort of gentleman's understanding that is activated (it would have to be through the agent, I would think) that keeps it to just one suitor at a time, until the deal is either made or lost?

Perhaps the lad who worked for Man City could enlighten us on how this auction actually works? Or is it just a case of the keenest club being willing to take the biggest risk at the highest price?

And most important of all – how does this now differ from the host of terrible signings we've made these last 5 or 6 years?

There's all sorts of unknowns, but I'll decide whether these lads are fit for purpose or not when I've, you know, actually seen them play football for us in the PL.
I don't see what purpose conjecture serves at this stage. Fact is their pictures are in the echo with the scarf above their heads. Something in previous years the club leadership has received plenty of stick for not achieving.

PS - The big difference is MK, both young internationals with potentially room for improvement and with future resale value.

We didn't pay ridiculous money to land them ala he who shall not be named, and the age and talent profile looks like a good fit.

It's not an exact science obviously, but there at least seems to be a cogent strategy behind the January arrivals so far.

30 million for both full backs mean we need close to that on sales to cover it
Holgate to City for 100 million was mooted at one time?

Hopefully these two new lads slot in with Branthwaite left side centre half and AN Other on the right

Benitez’s tactics, team selections and subs may be abysmal but he has brought in players we were crying out for like Gray and Townsend for almost nothing

@Martin #18 - I'd expect both to feature next game either against Hull or Leicester.

I'm hopeful these changes will make a difference although a fundamental change in the team ethos is required, along with other incoming players (and exit of others no longer required).

Not far off a team of six footers now anyway, and after signing that commanding central defender, hopefully we can go and get an energetic midfielder, especially if he can also pass the ball!

Good luck to both our new players anyway, which is definitely going to be needed, when they go straight into the Lions den.

Hopefully Patterson and the Ukrainian lad, will get their chance to debut in the first team, sooner than later.

Patterson has also played as a winger in the past so it will be interesting to see how Rafa sets these full backs up.

Bearing the slow CBs, Branthwaite aside, who will be the next buy?

How these purchases are being funded will be interesting, but hopefully Everton are within the rules and won’t get pinched, down the line.

And what better game than an FA Cup game, and against Hull.

I know, I know, many a slip etc.

Good luck Nathan!

We don't really sign any such players. In about 3. 5 years just Godfrey, Branthwaite, Kean and Nkounkou - along with a mixed bag of older, quite expensive players.

We hire a manager with a reputation of not developing younger players.

We sack DoF.

We start signing younger players for longer term development of the squad.

We're such a weird club. Anyway, I'm relieved he's signed. If he's remotely successful the fee is a bargain even if it seems a bit high now.

Can't wait to see and Vitaly getting up and down the flanks and kicking the shit out of people.

But he reminds me of Sam's ex-Bolton right back Nicky Hunt. Not sure what happened to him but I think injuries played a part in derailing his promising career.

Call it what you want but I wish all our player's the best of luck in their development, stay free from injury and have a long, successful, medal winning career at Everton.

Getting business done quickly and efficiently is a notable plus, and being prepared to pay what it takes to get these players in early in the window is a good sign - and it suggests that the club identified their targets and did what was necessary to secure them. Sometimes a buyer must be bullish to get what they want, and for the sake of a few million pounds worth of haggling, which could run the risk of losing those transfer targets to other buyers or antagonising the selling club, I think this business looks very positive indeed. Very clinical.

As for the fees, I’d say it is impossible to know if we’ve overpaid or underpaid. Sometimes a player is worth more to one club than another, as the need for said player is that much greater. Whether we’ve overpaid or managed to snaffle a bargain will all come out in the wash as it always does - but the important thing was getting our targets through the door quickly and effectively, and that’s been done.

It concerns me that he couldn’t get a first team position at the lofty Rangers but he’s deemed good enough for Everton?!?!

Appreciate Ranger’s captain plays in the same position BUT so does ours.

Anyway, let’s be positive. We have a young, energetic and adventurous right back.

The last time we had a regular right back over 6ft was Matt Jackson and we won a trophy with him in the team!!! (Bodes well!)

At least these two signings are fixing a squad problem, providing of course this kid is better than Jon Joe. Given the number of signings we made under Brands surely the law of averages suggests at least a couple have to turn out decent?

Edited 36 minutes ago by gdm
Tomato Deuce
Member
Tomato Deuce
Posted 14 minutes ago
On 02/01/2022 at 20:54, toon25 said:
Everton signing a Rangers RB for 16 mil.

Where the fuck do they get their money from?

On 03/01/2022 at 07:14, jack j said:
Rangers 2nd choice right back at that...

4 hours ago, jack j said:
A bloke who can't get a game for rangers costing 4 million more than an England International. Love wasting money do Everton

4 hours ago, The Prophet said:

He's much younger like.

40 minutes ago, gdm said:
He’s a talent and a half. Was brilliant for Scotland when he played. Don’t be silly. Very decent signing for Everton

In case anyone else is curious, the player is Nathan Patterson. Name wasn’t mentioned once

Given how shite we are it shouldn't be a big test to throw them on as soon as possible.

For us to overpay slightly to get the business done is our penance for being in such desperate need. That we have two moves out of the way this early gives us some ability to shop deals rather than chase them.

If anybody needs further cheering up go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-3nGYY9gro

It'll make you laugh and cry in equal measures but it's absolute Everton legendary gold!

We will never know the truth but for £20M upfront and £10M in add-ons it's Rafa (the current manager) who should be given final say as ultimately he'll pay one way or the other.

I still want a midfield general. A combined Allan and Doucoure type with pace, can run all day, pass, tackle and play. Gbamin isn't the answer. He's starting to remind me of Besic. Potential ruined by injury. Takes too many risks defensively to be a trustworthy CDM.

Martin, don't be too harsh – they have had Shearer, Ferdinand, Speed, Beardsley and Ginola… but yes, a few years ago.

It was meant to be a tongue-in-cheek remark, hence the probably not caveat.

As for your reply to Martin's comment, fair enough, all good players, but they've still won fuck all!!

Well, both full-backs are a gamble, but they are young and on the up and hungry. Both players are happy to be here and will give it all to succeed. They'll bring exuberance and energy, the team needs it. They'll need the fans right behind them to help, and if they give 100% and have a never give up attitude they'll go far and be loved for it.

Lyndon, the height variation is hilarious, one site even has him at 5ft 9, another 6ft 3. We've bought a shape-shifter.

Looks like most days he is 6ft.

What I do not get is a few are saying they are inexperienced, yet in the same breath calling for Dobbin and Simms to be played, if Coleman needs replacing at right-back, I see no difference in playing Patterson there, any more than playing Dobbin or Simms in attack, instead of Rondon.

If both full-backs turn out to be decent players and we have Branthwaite and Godfrey in the middle, then we will have a young defensive line-up for years to come.

Good signings for me.

I said yesterday, or the day before, can't remember, that if we were to sign these two, then play them with Godfrey and Branthwaite. Inexperienced back four, probably, but over the next few years, they will hopefully form a defensive wall in front of Pickford.

That's two down and one to go, a central midfield general, with presence is next on the list.

The two new full backs, Godfrey, Gordon and Gray are certainly bringing down the overall age of the teams and adding a bit of pace to the side. Maybe with three speedsters at the back we could get away with Keane for the remainder of the season if Mina does not return.

I expect that in a short period of time that both full backs will be first choices.

Maybe we can swap Digne for Rice?

Still can't quite fathom what is going on between, Rafa's reluctance to play our own very good youngsters (in Simms, Dobbin, and Onyango) yet we have splashed out on similar aged players, in two key positions. How long have we awaited an understudy or surper to Seamus? With the recent Digne situation, which doesn't look great, it made sense to get a young International player in, with a lot of experience, albeit though none at Premier League Level.

It will be interesting to see the team selection on Saturday, where I'm sure most of us will want to see, either or both selected against Hull FC. The BBC have us televised, probably hoping for a Giant Killing ?

Slainte Mhath Nathan.

When Liverpool brought in Arnold and Robertson we didn't think anything of it but look how they have contributed to their success, especially on offence.

Everton have had problems at fullback since Baines retired, Seamus got older and it didn't help after that bad injury either.

Digne looked decent for a while, Kenny not quite up to snuff and both Godfrey and Holgate looking uncomfortable as full-backs.

Mina's injury problems not going away but Branthwaite looks a real prospect.

The midfield is generally a shambles and there doesn't appear to be a highly consistent performer among them. Some have to be weeded out and moved out permanently.

The problems concerning Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have been evident and I am not sure they are the duo to drag us back up the Premier League table.

We bought positional players, not whose available that can adapt to a position this time.

That's my position on this anyway!

If the new guy can pass forward, stop crosses and score more than Hibbert then he's in! Although he looks a lot older than 20. Maybe he shares a birth certificate with Yakubu?

In Brands time here every transfer seemed to be left to the last minute, probably as Brands dithered over the fee and/or wages. One thing we know about Benitez is that he is a stubborn, cocky git and made his mind up that he wanted these two players and went and signed them.

If they turn out to be as good a Benitez signing as Demarai Gray, we might start climbing the table soon. If they turn out to be as good as his Rondon signing… we are in for one hell of a relegation battle.

Will not happen... but with you on Rice.

I have no idea how good these two are but I hope they're more Demarai than Klaassen.

Seamus has been a great servant to the club, but he is in the twilight of his career as a Premier League player.

Interesting shout and one I'd be pleased with in terms of a returning player. He's not a 90-minuter but, as you say, excites and gets supporters off their seats. Good to have in the squad.

I've read a few comments about not wanting Barcelona cast-offs. If I had ever had the privilege of being labeled that, I'd have retired happy.

Looking forward to see what's coming next and glad we managed to sort out the correct phone numbers!

Derek # 70, I'm English (ish) but I particularly don't like it when a rival manages to pick up a young Scot (or Irish or Welsh) player for a good fee. I'd like us to be seen as the natural home for such players.

Danny # 80, unfortunately Gbamin should be our dynamic, powerful holding midfielder but his time is up. I think we'll probably get by for the time being with Allan and Doucouré.

It'll be interesting to see what else, if anything, turns up. And leaves.

Until then I hope for the best, still look puzzlingly at Rafa, agree with as many comments as I disagree with and can only dream of silverware.

Frustration, confusion, realisation and yet I still believe the good times are not too far off coming around again. I'm a patient man...

"That's great but why can't we include any of our shite players in these deals as sweetener!!!?"

I think your post gives the reason why!!

He [Benitez] was unaware of just how tight the financial constraints would be when agreeing to become Farhad Moshiri's fifth, and most controversial, permanent managerial appointment in June.

Benítez gets his man in Patterson but only wins can end Everton toxicity

Okay, I might be biased because he's my favourite Everton player of his generation, but I don't really get the stick that Seamus has been getting on here. Sure, he's not what he was, but I still expect him to be playing regularly this season while the new lad finds his feet at a much higher level than he's used to.

The problem is glaringly obvious. We are in desperate need of a dominant centre-back. Throw the cash in for Tarkowski; he should've been the option selected. I'm not a big fan but he is a vast improvement on any centre-back we have on our books.

This is because if Benitez is insistent that an ultra-defensive and counter-attacking set-up is what will serve us best, you need solid defenders who can hold the line. Tarkowski in for Keane and you instantly have this improvement in solidity.

You'd then likely have instant improvement in performances from Digne and Coleman. Then you have Godfrey who can cover the left- and right-back spots when required. Godfrey in the centre, or Yerry. That would've been the quick fix for me.

But a quick fix only. Newcastle will capitalise on such quick fixes. Watch them. One of them will likely be Tarkowski and watch their form improve. They'll pull clear and build in the summer. Players they bring in this window will likely not be in their first team in a couple of years. But they have to do what is required right now. They will not be signing promising full-backs, I can assure you.

Benitez is attempting to plan for a future when the present is not guaranteed. The latest in a long line of disasters, unfortunately.

The rumours I'm hearing are that this wasn't a Benitez signing, but that's all they are… rumours.

Pleased with the transfer business but I still want to see the back of Rafa.

I hope he will cope with the step up from playing occasionally in a relatively successful team to playing regularly in a team which has struggled for any kind of consistent form for many years. Such is our predicament, there will be little or no opportunity for a bedding-in period. It may well be a case of sink or swim for both Patterson and Mykolenko thrown in at the deep end.

Bringing Barkley back would be a mistake. He brings too much baggage. While we need an attacking midfielder of that type, he has hardly improved as a player since 2013-14 and is highly unlikely to do so now. As for Deulofeu, he was another talented but infuriating player.

We have Gray, Gordon, Richarlison and Townsend to play in the wide attacking positions. We don't need another addition to that list.

No transfer fee, proven Premier League quality and the unfortunate situation with his ticker means he'll likely get overlooked by the Shameful Six.

Above shouts for Tarkowski seem off the mark to me. He is no better than Keane, who might I add looked like a world beater in the deep sitting Burnley side as well. We don't need a centre-back, we need to coach the 3-4 decent ones we have into being consistently good ones.

The current set-up for deadball situations is an absolute shit-show and needs changing fast. Build around Godfrey, Mina and Branthwaite. I am pleased we finally have some options in the full-back positions.

Derek (95), Has it ever occured to you some might like their "sweeteners" saur!?

Derek, Thanks man. I just added that to my "not to do" list just in case 😁.

It certainly makes a difference from some of the last-minute debacles that have and still are costing the club millions.

I am hoping that we also have an experienced centre-half lined up. A big no-nonsense eastern European would do just fine. Someone who likes a tackle and can head a ball to one of his teammates.

If it's true (if) he's behind these 'no fucking around' transfers of potentially really good young full-backs and the 'no fuckin around' offloading of Rodriguez and Digne for funds of £30+million? Okay, I know I'm surmising a lot here...

Well, he's shaking shit up behind the scenes but he's shaping up as a shit manager (you can't argue with his record).

I have a crazy dream, TWebbers... Benitez becomes the ball-busting, skin as thick as a Rhino, won't take no shit, fucks Kenwright off into retirement Director of Football?

He finds – hold on, suspend your disbelief for a bit – a fellow (younger) manager who likes him and is fuckin' brilliant and can work with him without being a lapdog.

I've only had 4 cans of Guinness but I think I've just saved our club and put it on the path to years of success!! Thank me later, everyone, and Mr Moshiri – you know I'm right.

If your liver is up to it, I'd like to see you have another Guinness or four and then hear how the Devils Spawn end up in the conference as well.

I'm on to the Kronenbourg 1664 now so anything is possible!! Dare to dream the magic of ale makes anything feasible

I believe the esteemed Times chief sports writer, David Walsh, who got his claws into cheating bastard Lance Armstrong and would not let go. He is investigating LFC Asthma treatment and performance under Klopp.

Do you want me to move on to the strong stuff?

I don't wish to encourage you to poison yourself! That said, if you don't need any encouragement...

Do you do Grand National winners, by the way?

Thanks again, mate, made my morning here in New Zealand. Take care of yourself. Or at least try not to do too much damage.

ps: Ribena and paracetamol for the morning after the night before. Never fails.

I always enjoy your posts, and I noticed yesterday I think you were sort of apologising for your opinions?

Well, absolute rubbish. Keep posting, Derek, you make more sense than the likes of me and lots more.

Grand National winners, I have a very good record based on the lovely colours, the hard-luck story, and the name being like somewhere I went on holiday, relative etc... Come back to me nearer the time and I will get rat-arsed and pick a winner.

Only kidding with the strong stuff, I can't drink any spirits unfortunately... fortunately!!

My recovery fuel is or was Lucozade original, Mars bar, pickled onion monster munch!!

Hope you can get them in New Zealand, Derek.

My only worry is that Patterson has played mainly in the Rangers academy, he's only played 6 games this season in the Scottish Premiership, but he has played at senior level for Scotland, and Defoe reckons he's a gem.

I'd love to see Barkley back, for a young man at the time, he always showed for the ball and Koeman hung him out to dry, in my opinion. His attacking threat and killer pass is something we lack, which Richarlison and Lukaku would thrive off.

But, then again, when you see the abuse Coleman has got on this thread, you forgot he's nearly 33 and having to play nearly every game for the last couple of years; what chance would Ross have?

Four cans of Guinness is my usual consumption for a year, but if it confers that kind of perspicacity, I may have to increase my intake.

Pickford
Patterson Godfrey Branthwaite Mykolenko
Doucoure Gbamin Onyango
Gordon Simms Gray

What Rafa will likely field Saturday;

Begovic
Kenny Godfrey Keane Holgate Coleman
Doucoure Allan Delph Gordon
Gray

Call me a skeptic, but these aren't Rafa signings (his are the Merenga, Coutinho and Ramsey rumours) so get ready for the “not mentally ready yet” excuses for the next month. Might see Mykolenko for Coleman tho…..at least until 70 and chasing the game after slow start.

Come Grand National time, I'm getting an omen tip from you. No pressure mate, just pick the winner!

New Zealand is a beautiful place, and a wonderful country. But they're about as bad at making crisps as they are good at playing rugby. Pickled Onion Monster Munch, I can only dream, they can't even do a reasonable Salt & Vinegar...

The arl fella was a Lucozade for New Years breakfast man, but it's something about the carbonation that messes me about. I'll throw a Mars Bar into the recovery rotation after my next blowout – which will probably commence 10 minutes into our game against the Foxes.

I love having opinions and offering them Billy, and I'll try not to ever stop. My problem mate is belittling and pissing off people whose opinions don't gel precisely with mine. No point making loads of great points when two thirds of the people here see my name and scroll straight to the next post.

I've just got to strike a better balance between the pearls of wisdom and being an online divvy. Hope springs eternal, except where Everton and the League Cup are concerned.

Made my day, mate, you have made my day. Enjoy the 1664, the caviar of hops they reckon and discerning punters like me tend to agree.

I feel much the same about the Ukrainian. I would probably feel a lot more positive if the hateful Benitez was on his way, and any success we may have with him in charge will always be tainted.

After the last game, Rafa said "the board" are handling all the negotiations for the new signings. In the absence of any other members, I took that to mean Kenwright.

Welcome to Everton, Nathan.

Patterson - Godfrey - Branthwaite - Mykolenko.

I dare you Rafa. I double dare you.

On a field of green under an arch, the men known as Toffees will make their mark.

I would certainly love to see Eriksen in an Everton shirt. He would be a great addition. However, I think he is going to Southampton with their new Danish connection in Rasmus Ankersen.

Rangers chief Ross Wilson details Nathan Patterson discussions with Everton

Just that, as mentioned in a post earlier, he's likely to come out with some bull like: 'They need time to settle in'. Then dish up the usual line-up & blame injuries & Covid when we get done.

It's in a fair bit of media over here. Story comes from the Rangers director of football. He says he's been in talks with Everton for a while – led by the World's Greatest Evertonian.

He was full of praise for Bill, reckons he's a real decent True Blue. Obviously unaware of his acting skills.

Alec Cleland?

I presume you're referring to one of my boyhood favourites, Alex Parker. His slide tackles were legendary, but I guess they would be banned in today's game.

God, I've just had a thought, imagine Bruce Rioch playing today!! He'd be up for murder!

It's a shame Justin left, I'd assumed he was here all week? 😂

"I would probably feel a lot more positive if the hateful Benitez was on his way, and any success we may have with him in charge will always be tainted."

I just cannot understand your reasoning, you would prefer Rafa to fail and be on his way, rather than Everton turn a corner but have Rafa tainted, if we have success.

Absolutely no logic whatsoever in that way of thinking.

Granted our results have been poor, but me personally, I would prefer the manager to eventually get it right, than fail, just to get him out of the door.

You don't really believe any of that do you? I’ve just stopped laughing.

He was a terrific player Alex. He could slide into a tackle cleanly and fairly and come out with the ball at his feet.

Top row far left – with 4 more of his terrific Scottish teammates. They were the days – I and my peers from those days were spoilt.

Link

Patterson, Mykolenko, Gordon, Gray, Branthwaite. All young guns with something about them and something to prove. Maybe the tide is about to turn?

If we could get a decent midfielder to partner Doucoure and Allan I will be well satisfied.

an injured Ross Barkley trolling Chelsea in the middle of his medical is the best thing he's done during his entire career.

Kaveh Solhekol from Sky Sports News, is usually pretty hot on what he reports, and this is what he had to say.

Kaveh Solhekol
@SkyKaveh

Chelsea £30M deal for Ross Barkley collapses after he changes his mind during the medical and decides to go back to Everton

I like the speed benefits with both and, of course, the height - must have added several inches to the average Everton defence group (erm - OK, without Mina taken in to account).

Welcome to both new players. Looking' forward to you having long, successful careers with Everton.

Not so sure about Michael Keane. Would like a strong tall replacement who knows to pass to his own team mates.

Brian #162 - both. I do not like Mr Benitez amd that started with his association with the RS. The reason I continue to dislike him is because he's dull, devisive and a dictator. He's inflexible and stubborn which largely resulted in him being unable to get a result when our better players were injured. He couldn't adapt like many other managers would have and refused to try anything different. Let's just hope we don't get any more injuries before the end of the season because those who want to keep him in a job are pinning their hopes on him having a fully fit squad.

You identify that rightback has been a priority for a while and give him sole responsibility for resolving resolving the issue.

I seem to remember a Scot called John McLaughlin playing right-back. I think he made his debut at a game my dad took me to against Leeds in the early '70s.

The whole ground cheered when he headed away a Peter Lorimer special. Most players would dive out of the way of one of those.

I think he was a left-back but your comment confirms my gut feeling that, when you get a Scot in an Everton shirt, you get commitment.

I am looking forward to seeing these two young full-backs playing for us.

To be fair I was about 9 at the time I saw him play! An awful lot of beer has flowed under the bridge in the intervening 51 years!

But right-back? Left-back? I didn't realise there was a difference anymore! Or was that just Sunday's shambles?

When the summer comes we need more of these types. Obviously Rangers had first dibs on Patterson and they'd make us pay. Mykolenko though, is the type of player we need to be scouting before he's played internationals, we might have had him for £4-5m?

If these players develop well, teamed with Godfrey and Branthwaite, I believe I might be smiling in a year or two.

I'm always saddened that Sandy is remembered for that incident. Still he was a key part in us winning the league that season so he had the last laugh.

Tiger McLaughlin was most definitely a left-back.

I don't know whether it was the same game against Leeds, but I recall him preventing the ball from going over our goal line and then standing casually on it as a host of Leeds players rushed in to try and get the ball over the line. Lorimer was the first to try and get there. Tiger didn't flinch. As Lorimer got to within a yard of him he rolled the ball under his left foot and sidestepped him, leaving Lorimer sliding into the empty net.

Couldn't fathom out in that moment whether he was a genius or just a ballsy Sunday league level player. Still hadn't decided by the time he left.

I would have loved Digne to be salvaged, but that one is done now and to be fair he's hardly excelled this year when he has played. If we can flog him for decent ££s then that'll be great transfer business all around.

I appreciate the last 10 games have been largely an utter bin fire and Rondon looks utterly pointless, but there are some positive notes to take from the season:

i) Townsend and Gray have both been successful transfers adding pace and an eye for goal to our midfield (when fit)
ii) Benitez has managed to get the best out of a box-to-box Doucouré too (when fit) in a way that Ancelotti never managed.
iii) Two new young wing-backs added to the squad and business done early for once
iv) Gordon is properly breaking through to be a first team player
v) The youth team looked half decent against Chelsea and hopefully a few more will come into contention
vi) DCL is back now, needs a little game time but I expect him to start scoring
vii) Mina and Richarlison should be returning soon and we'll have a more full strength side

With the run of fixtures we have now and players back/regrouped I feel we have the ingredients needed to turn things around. COYB

Alan, absolutely true about Sandy. In the days of only one sub, he could (and did) play everywhere.

Assuming we are crazy enough to sell, I think we should take the opportunity to screw Gerrard over on this given he scuppered our bids for Nathan in the summer.

And with 4 clubs in the mix, the price can be pushed above the 25 million that gets mentioned in the press.

I am though hoping that in a short time Patterson will prove to be a bargain.

I will also say if we didn't have ffp restrictions and still Brands involved perhaps we would have splashed another £30m on Max Aarons this past summer. Just sayin :)

We can only hope – whoever was responsible for bringing them in – that the two additions become useful members of the team in the coming months and years and start to reverse the terrible trends of the last few years.

Some of those MLS clubs have estimated price tags near as much as Premier League clubs, Galaxy for instance.

It's no longer a cheap and value option.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/jan/04/rafael-benitez-nathan-patterson-wins-everton-toxicity?utm_term=61d5c0022c05f6b3244bb16a516619c1&utm_campaign=TheFiver&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=fiver_email

So as I say Michael, I really couldn't give a rats arse what you think. If you can provide concrete evidence that says otherwise, then let's see it. I'll still be waiting in twelve months time for that!!!

From your tone, you obviously disagree with me.

Chairman Bill is a fine person but, if you believe that at 76 he's at the cutting edge in modern transfer negotiations, then I'm happy for us to disagree.

January is a difficult month for signing players, as other clubs know; if you really want a player, they can get a better price in January than in the longer summer transfer window.

In saying that, we have a number of players we would like to see transferred, some (if we the supporters were doing the negotiating) would just be given away, but I suppose the club will always try to get something back in return for a player.

Hope we manage to get rid of a number of players to get them off the wage bill, but it would be nice to get some money for them.

The main thing in this short window is to bring in someone that will help the squad early, or if they are for the future keep the age group down.

What if we added Holgate, Keane and Rondon to the deal, West Ham are looking for a left back, two central defenders and back up to Antonio up front. Unfortunately, they don't need a wide player or a No 10, so Iwobi can't be part of the deal.

What's going on?

Is this to be another vital role for 'the Chair' or high on the list of jobs for the new director ? Surely our ever-busy manager will not be charged with it as in days of old ?

Add John Bailey to the lists of own goal scorers, he came in The Goblin the Sunday afternoon after the Derby game he scored in and Billy Livo a red fan said “ I saw you on the East Lancs last night” John said “ You never saw me I was nowhere near The East Lancs last night”. Billy said “ Don’t be at it John I saw you alright, you were heading for Liverpool”. The own goal was another header but not as good as Sandy’s.