Joey Barton has defended Everton summer signing Michael Keane for his part in the club’s recent run of poor results.
The 24-year-old was featured for the majority of the Premier League fixture against Southampton on Sunday where the Toffees suffered an embarrassing 4-1 defeat at St Mary’s.
The central defender also played 90 minutes in the humbling 5-1 home defeat against Italian side Atalanta in the Europa League.
Keane has only managed to help Everton achieve one clean sheet in the Premier League this season which came in the 1-0 victory against Stoke City on the opening day of the campaign.
The loss means that Everton have still not managed to pick up three points away from home in the Premier League.
Barton was asked on his official Twitter account to respond to comments claiming that Keane was a great signing and he answered by stating that the youngster shouldn’t be blamed for Everton leaking goals.
Aren’t you the same guy who also said Michael Keane was a quality defender? Because he has been awful every single game he’s played. #pickandchoose
— Niall John (@hughezy_10) November 26, 2017
He is. If you think it’s all on Keane, you’re deluded.
That back 6 as a unit is a catastrophe at the minute.
What they’re doing on the training ground is beyond me. https://t.co/Mq310BTG7A
— ? Joey Barton ? (@Joey7Barton) November 26, 2017
OPINION
Although Keane has produced some disappointing performances with his new club, Barton is correct to mention the other defenders. The England international is still young and he is still learning his trade in the Premier League but he isn’t being protected by the experienced heads such as Phil Jagielka, Ashley Williams and Leighton Baines. As a defensive unit, the Toffees have been well below par this season and this has been underlined as they have conceded nine goals in their last two matches in all competitions. The team need to get back to basics and become more compact but they need a manager who can help them to achieve this as soon as possible before they face a serious relegation battle.