Everton Player Reviews - Sylvain Distin

Player: Sylvain Distin, #15

GS: Games Started, SB: Used as Substitute, G: Goals, A: Assists, SH: Shots, SG: Shots on goal, YC: Yellow Cards, RC: Red Cards, FC: Fouls Committed, FS: Fouls Suffered.

Introduction

Not the best season of Distin's career at Everton, however the Frenchman stepped in and saved the day for the Blues in defence after Johnny Heitinga's mysterious performance-related woes. Based on the left side of Phil Jagielka, Distin was solid if unspectacular this season.

What he did well

With Leighton Baines more often than not away on raiding parties down the left, Distin usually took a higher position up the pitch to cut out the long ball with Everton in possession. Having lost a couple of yards of his pace though, he did get beat a few times.

There were some fantastic games when he embodied the Evertonian defence of one-for-all and all-for-one, especially the Manchester City at Goodison when the defending champions could simply not pry open the home defence.

What he could do better

Distin undoubtedly has aerial ability but definitely seems to have lost his radar a little. Despite going up for every corner and freekick, he only registered 17 shots, 4 of which made the target, and no goals this campaign (though he did get one in the League Cup). His last Premier League goal was in May 2011.

With Distin slowing down noticeably, it's time for him to relinquish his starting spot ahead of Tim Howard. He is an invaluable resource in the locker room with his experience, and could be very useful to the squad as a depth player.

Voting

Using the school grading system of A, B, C, D, F, with A representing a great season, C an average season, and F a very poor season, how do you grade Sylvain Distin on his performance this year according to the expectations you had for him?