Andy Gray is delighted with the impact Conor Coady has made since joining Everton on loan and believes that doubts over playing in a different formation have already been addressed.
Ex-Liverpool prospect Coady joined the Blues on a season-long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers, despite being captain of the Midlands club. Forging a central defensive partnership with fellow new signing James Tarkowski, Coady helped Frank Lampard's side to go on a run of six Premier League matches unbeaten, scoring once against Southampton, before eventually suffering a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester United on Sunday.
As part of the joint-meanest defence in the Premier League season so far, former Goodison great Gray has been more than satisfied with Coady's contribution and his adaptability to play in a back-four.
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Speaking on the Keys and Gray podcast, Gray said: “Everyone told me that Conor Coady can’t play in a four. He is not quick enough. He is not mobile enough. He will get caught out. That was the school of thought that followed Conor Coady. At Wolves he played in a three, pretty much every game he played for them.
“Then he came here and started in a three and Frank changed that and I am so pleased that he has and I don’t think it is a coincidence that Everton’s results have got better. They haven’t conceded goals. They have one of the best defences in the league, if not the best.
“It was a great decision and it just shows that Conor Coady can quite easily play in any back four.”
After a season battling against relegation, Everton have made a steady start to the new season, recovering from defeats in their first two matches to gather 10 points from their next six outings without defeat. Before Sunday's loss to the Red Devils, they had only conceded seven goals, with Coady at the heart of the defence.
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