'Bit of a worry' - Commentator shares Everton concern over player setback

Ian Darke says losing Jarrad Branthwaite to an injury setback is a “little bit of a worry” for Everton, but believes they are now looking at their “resilient” best under Sean Dyche.

The TNT Sports commentator discussed how the Toffees fared with their backs to the wall against Newcastle United at Goodison Park last Saturday [5 October].

Michael Keane excelled as Jarrad Branthwaite was once again out through injury, having suffered a setback at Finch Farm, while Jordan Pickford starred by saving a penalty from pantomime villain Anthony Gordon.

“I suppose Branthwaite is a little bit of a worry with him only coming back for one game and getting injured again. I thought Michael Keane – on this particular occasion – stepped up really well, and they can be pleased with their defensive performance,” Darke exclusively told Goodison News.

“They’re starting to look more like that Dyche-style resilient team that you could say they are by way of cliche.

“There hasn’t been any big wow factor or anything like that, but they’re going the right way and I think they’ll be okay.”

Everton looking more resolute

Everton started the campaign horrendously, and looked all at sea with chaos upstairs complementing the awful results on the pitch.

However, in true Dyche fashion, the team have started to show their capabilities and the likes of Keane, who have come in for scathing criticism this season and beyond, stepped up when their side needed them most.

The Toffees will not necessarily desire relying on players such as Keane as heavily as they have had to, and the hard work involved in keeping Branthwaite around seems to have been pretty obsolete so far due to his injury issues.

Pickford and Gordon – who faced off in the moment of the match last weekend – started together for England against Greece at Wembley on Thursday night (10 October).

Dyche will just hope all of his players away on international duty come back fit and ready ahead of the Ipswich Town clash on 19 October.

In other Everton news, Dan Friedkin is expected to back Dyche in the January transfer market.

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The post 'Bit of a worry' - Commentator shares Everton concern over player setback appeared first on Goodison News.