Everton coach Jose Baxter has explained the importance of Nathan Patterson picking up minutes for the under-23s in their 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.
The Blues summer signing was making his first appearance since completing his transfer from Rangers earlier this month, playing an hour at Southport's Pure Stadium.
The right-back bagged an impressive assist for the only goal of the match, showing great athleticism and crossing ability to centre the ball for Lewis Dobbin to head home just before half time.
Patterson was not included in the squad for the Everton senior side as they were beaten 1-0 by Aston Villa at the weekend, with it initially not being clear the reason behind his absence.
However, it seems getting minutes under his belt is important for the time-being.
READ MORE: Everton make Vitor Pereira 'decision' as Niko Kovac option emerges
MICHAEL BALL: Everton new manager solution is staring club in face as Kia Joorabchian questions raised
The 20-year-old's last appearance before his game for the young Blues came on 18th December against Dundee United.
And Baxter, speaking to the ECHO following Monday evening's match, explained that he had had a training session with the U23s on Sunday in preparation for getting crucial game-time under his belt.
The coach remarked: "It was important for him to get some minutes.
"I spoke to him in training yesterday, one of his last games was against Lyon - not a bad one! When he was warming up, the ball's bobbling a little bit, I said 'welcome to Southport!'.
"But yeah, 60 minutes with him. It's all about getting minutes with him. Him and Jarrad trained with us yesterday [Sunday] to get a bit of shape into them before the game."
Patterson made up one of an Everton back-five on Monday evening, which saw usual right-sided player Kyle John moving over to a left wing-back role to accommodate the new signing.
Reece Welch, Ryan Astley and Jarrad Branthwaite were an impressive defensive trio which saw the Blues keep a well-deserved clean sheet.
And Baxter thinks the 5-3-2 system the U23s utilise, along with the quality of their players, is working very well for them right now.
"Listen, they [Spurs] scored four against us the last time we played them. They're a really good team and coached well," he added.
"I thought the lads helped us, I think the system helps us and it's really good. The lads have bought into it and there's a real determination to not concede goals.
"They're a great set of lads. Tell Kyle he's playing left wing-back, Nathan comes in and gets an assist, Jarrad plays, Ryan has cuts around his eyes and he's still throwing blocks in everywhere!
"We were braver in our press in the second half, got after them a little bit more. I thought in the first half their pivots were getting on the ball, they were dropping two pivots in there at times which was causing us trouble.
"But we were braver with our press, our back line can get higher then, and as a team we push up the pitch."
