Former Everton player raves about £12m man and heaps praise on defensive partnership

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri asked the fans to judge the squad at the end of the transfer window and there will hardly be an Everton fan who wouldn’t be satisfied with the transfer business carried out in the summer. Frank Lampard and Kevin Thelwell have done a commendable job and addressed the lingering problems in the team.

They have not papered the cracks but instead laid a foundation that can take the team to new highs with right direction and commitment. The central defence has been overhauled to a certain extent as James Tarkowski arrived on a free transfer and Conor Coady arrived on a loan from Wolves. Everton have the chance to make Coady’s signing permanent for a modest sum at the end of the season.

The centre back duo has been terrific, making the Everton goal almost impenetrable. The Toffees boast the best defensive record in the league, shipping just seven goals in eight games. Praise have been showered on the duo and they have popularly earned the nickname ‘dads’ among their colleagues. The two leaders of men have given exactly what Everton had been lacking for the past few seasons: leadership and solidity at the back.

Former Everton player Pat Nevin spoke exclusively to Free Super Tips in an interview and the Scotsman took stock of the current Everton squad and their position. Nevin heaped praise on Coady and Tarkowski and believes that the rearguard is stable.

Pat Nevin on Everton centre back duo Conor Coady and James Tarkowski

"With Tarkowski and Coady you have absolutely trustworthy defenders who can play in a two or a three. Coady and Tarkowski look capable and dependable, especially with a sitting midfielder in front of them. They’ve done it brilliantly well; they’ve only conceded seven goals so far in the league which tells you the story.Better still, in the last six they’ve only conceded four goals, which is fantastic for a team that was struggling last season.You do think he’s got the backline sorted, Nathan Paterson obviously has a slight injury at the minute, but that defence, I mentioned is sorted. Now the hard bit is going the other way and finding ways to score more goals. (via Free Super Tips)"

Nevin also spoke about his compatriot Nathan Patterson and has declared him a competent heir to Seamus Coleman for years to come. Patterson struggled last season with a lack of chances since his move in January but this season he has come into his own and has caught the eye of many with his boisterous performances. The former Rangers man is currently out injured but since the start of the season, Patterson has been impressive and one of the best players in Lampard’s side.

"I think he’s gone beyond just development as a footballer, and I think he’s currently Everton’s number one full back. I think he’s been one of the best players in the side so far this season and I believe Coleman’s replacement for the next five or six years is sorted in Paterson.Injury is the only question mark about him, there’s been a few now but some players just go through these periods. He’s good enough to play for Scotland and Everton, I have no doubts.People do ask me a lot about players who come down from Scotland and there’s some where you simply turn round and say, ‘don’t worry he’s fine’. He is one!"

The whole interview can be found here.