Nathan Patterson has detailed the coaching from Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole that has helped shape his strong Everton performances so far this season.
The right-back was signed in the January transfer window from Rangers but was forced to wait until the beginning of this term for his Premier League debut after injury. Seamus Coleman's absence to start 2022/23 gave the Scotland international a chance to impress in the opening matches - and it's one he has grabbed with both hands.
After a particularly brilliant display in the Merseyside derby, Patterson sat down with The Times to discuss the behind-the-scenes conversations that have helped him adapt to his new surroundings so easily. Firstly, the defender described his relationship with Everton coach Cole, the former Arsenal, Chelsea and England left-back, and how he reviews video footage of his upcoming opponent a night before a match.
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Patterson remarked: "We will sit down and talk over the game together. I go back over them myself, make some notes and take them to him.
"It is good to self-analyse and if there are some things I am not too sure about, then you have one of the best full-backs to have ever played to ask for advice. It can be things like body shape, giving myself more opportunity to influence the play and reacting quicker to switches in play so that I have the best chance of being the one who makes the first contact.
"You just want to take as much as you can in. We have been doing it from the start of the season and I have seen a difference. It has benefited me.
"I will probably watch the night before and then in the dressing room on the day just to give my mind a refresh,” he added. “It’s the people on my side to see what they like to do, the style of play and how aggressive they are.
"It is not just about a match day. When I was younger I was quite small so I had to put some weight on and work hard in the gym. You have to take every small element to try and make yourself a better player."
Blues boss Lampard has also been working hard with Patterson at Finch Farm to hone the youngster's talents as he continues to impress at the top level. Everton's defence generally looks improved this term with a number of new signings helping that.
Adapting to the Premier League is often a hard process and Patterson admitted his opponents in this country have been tough. But, he already feels at home at Goodison Park thanks to the the fans and the dressing room around him.
He added: "The manager gives you certain instructions, where he wants you to be in terms of a block, but when it gets to a certain part of the pitch he wants you to go and express yourself. It is not, ‘do this, do that’. It is do this until you can use your own skillset and drive the team forward.
"The opponents are tougher down here, so you have more of a defensive duty. That is my main priority. My first job is to defend. It is good getting up to people, putting tackles in and making the crowd go nuts.
"When you are part of such a big club [like Everton] you get sucked in and feel part of it yourself. I feel at home here.
"The feeling in the changing room is different to last season. You can feel there is more energy and togetherness. [Coleman] is the first one to praise me. It’s great to have that support, especially from the captain and someone in my position who is fighting for a place as well."
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