HIS ART is preventing goals, but, ever the philosopher, Everton FC’s Sylvain Distin argues that clean sheets can sometimes be over-rated.
Before anyone thinks the French defender has gone mad and wants to wind-up his manager, there is sound reasoning to the 34-year-old’s logic.
Distin is proud to have been one of the ultra-reliable back four personnel who helped the Blues achieve the third meanest defence in the top flight last term, and even though Everton have not managed to recapture that ultra-solidity yet this time around, Distin insists their new-found attacking flair has softened the blow.
See Everton FC defender Sylvain Distin’s Premier League stats this season
The veteran helped shore up David Moyes’ back-line when he replaced John Heitinga at half time during the 2-2 draw with Wigan, and even though Distin admits victory was required at the DW Stadium, he insists that Everton are striving to find the right balance.
“We’re going to have to try and find different ways to play,” he says. “Sometimes we’re going to be able to try and play a bit like Barcelona, and I got stick for saying that before.
“But I really believe that sometimes we do play some really good football. I’m not saying it’s for the whole game but in spells it’s amazing when Bainsey and Pienaar link-up.
“We’ve conceded a few lately but we’re still doing OK at the back. People only remember the last goal we conceded or the one before but you have to look at the whole picture and how many the opposition conceded too.
“You play against top strikers. Look at Wigan – not a massive club with a lot of money but we still came up against two good strikers. That’s the same week in week out. It’s not just City, United and Chelsea.
“Can we do better? Yes – but I’m happy. We can never be perfect because perfection in football doesn’t exist. For one or two games yes but only Arsenal went the whole season unbeaten and that only happened once.
“We just need to be consistent and keep scoring goals. Yes we want to be more settled at the back but if we’re much more defensive, do we risk scoring less goals? That’s the question. Can you have both?”
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