MEDIA WATCH

What The Papers Say - 21 December

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton. 

Nathan Patterson has reflected on his first year in the English top-flight and how he's relishing the challenge with Everton.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, the young Scot discusses how he has grown as a player but also as a person since his move to Goodison from Rangers in January.

"The Premier League is a different level, even from playing at Rangers," said Patterson. "There’s at least 50,000 in the different stadiums every week so it’s great to have that pressure on you. Playing against top players every week is only going to benefit me.

"It’s brilliant because at a young age I’m getting to challenge myself on a regular basis. What a league this is. Everyone down here is top quality.

“I work with the Everton sports scientists on what I need to improve. We are getting closer to where I want to be. I definitely feel I’ve improved even since leaving Rangers and I’ve matured as well living on my own down here.

"My family come down for home games but it has helped a lot that I have to do everything for myself. It has given me more ownership and independence, as opposed to relying on other people in Glasgow."

Another player who says he's settled in well to life as a Toffee is Amadou Onana.

The Belgium international has returned to training at Finch Farm following the World Cup and reflected on his personal progress so far in an interview with the Liverpool Echo.

"I feel good because I just settled. Everybody here helped me to settle as fast as possible. My first months here have been great. The performances right now of the team aren't that great but we will try to make it better. But the atmosphere - everything just fits to me.

"One of my biggest dreams was to play for Belgium in a World Cup and I did it last month. It is just a great feeling knowing that all the hard work I put in is paying off.

"I have been doing good in the Premier League so I am happy, but I know there is a lot more to do to get to where I want to be and for us as a team to get to where we want to be. So there is a lot of work to do.

"The season has been tough for us as a team but I still we think we have a great team with great individuals. I think great people but also great footballers. The last results were a bit tough but everybody in the Club is trying to turn that around because we know we are capable of it."