Young Everton Starter Passes Test Against Burnley

Mason Holgate was destined to be the next John Stones, after mirroring the career path from Barnsley to Everton, being a right back who can also play centre back, and having similar playing styles it becomes easy to see why the comparisons are made. John Stones wishes he was as good as Our Hol!

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In my opinion Holgate plays much better as a central defender versus running up and down the flank as a right back. His icy composure serves him well in both positions but I think he is best placed centrally, especially when given the chance to play as part of a back 3. While playing in a back 3 he dealt with the threats of Sterling and Aguero like a seasoned veteran, not only making a limited number of mistakes but also demonstrating tricks of the trade.

Holgate is a player who knows how to win a foul, and when to give one away. On multiple occasions I’ve watched him give the ‘bump’ to opposition players, a technique that acts as a minor but sudden shove, letting the opposition striker or winger know that you are present, and getting past you will not be easy. It would appear Mason Holgate is a man of his word.

Apart from the City game where he came up against one of the best strikers on planet Earth, I feel that playing Burnley at Goodison was his true test so far. He was playing that position because he is currently our senior right back, with our usual starter out after a horrendous injury. He was playing right back because we needed him there.

With a few difficult games coming up and Arsenal in the worst form of their season so far, the Burnley game went from an expected-win to a must win. With Burnley being a team known for direct football who break often, especially away from home, and their emphasis on the break usually being placed down their left side, Holgate was always going to be tested.

Brady ended up having a good game in what was a very well organised Burnley, this is the type of understated player that makes the Premier League what it is; hard-working, in your face, and talented. Brady played well and is key for the goals that Burnley typically score, early crosses from the wing. He did pull an early cross off after finding a yard when faced up with Holgate, which almost cost us a goal. Other than that, Holgate declared that right corner his own.

However, when the favour was returned and it was our turn to attack, the Burnley job of stopping Holgate was not as effective as his efforts at stopping them. He was lively and vocal, linking up with Lukaku a few times, but passing the ball around with Barkley the whole game. He almost got a goal and you could definitely argue that he should have an assist after Lukaku failed to get under his first shot of the game. His delivery into the box was better than I thought it would be.

Ultimately we didn’t miss Coleman, which in my opinion says a lot about a 20 year old who arguably isn’t a ‘true’ right back. I’m very happy to have him at Everton and hope he is here to stay.

Up the Ev.