You're right Sean.

Tarks is a throwback. 100% effort and commitment. Tough tackler. Good cross field passer. Could score a few more. Leads by example.

Losing pace, but I love his attitude and determination.

Long live Tarks!

I remember being impressed with his performance that night, not so much ours.
Imo, he's a good, solid CB who has served us well...but he'd get ripped apart playing for a top team who push up the pitch.

He simply hasn't got the awareness of a Terry, or the recovery pace of a Walker.

Let’s raise a glass, a toast to Tarks! Cheers! Ohhh Tarky ;)

I’ve always liked tarkowski since the day he arrived.
A no-nonsense centre half that are a dying breed, at least in the premier league.

I suppose he was ‘fortunate’ to come to Everton when we needed him the most so he could show off his talents.

I remember a couple of years ago when he slid in at the corner flag by the paddock/ Gwladys street to win the ball and flatten the opposition player to great acclaim from the crowd and even a couple of his teammates who rushed to congratulate him but he just shrugged them off and trotted back.

Last season wasn’t his best and I fully expected O’Brien to replace him this season but he has bounced back superbly and is, arguably, the player of the season so far.

He has his shortcomings but he is nothing less than totally committed and I will be sorry when he’s gone.

That 3-2 Burnley result, if I’m not wrong, is where he completely cleaned out Richarlison from behind. Dunno how he didn’t get a straight red.
Still - he’s the No.1 PL defender for Statsmuse and joint 4th with Gabriel for the official PL Rankings, which isn’t bad for a 34 year old.

Enjoyed this and true on all fronts.

He made a brainless error in the first 5 mins of the first game of the season against Palace...but since that point has been arguably our player of the season.

Stats don't lie though, when he plays next to Jarrad, he and the team improve immeasurably.

I think Tarkowski's greatest asset is his durability, he simply never misses a game, and when he plays he never hides. Obviously age and the sheer number of games he has played will eventually noticeably take their toll, but I would agree with those who say he has been our best player so far this season.
Of the many centre backs I have watched playing for Everton since the 1950's, my personal favourite was Richard Gough. Obviously he came right at the end of his career and only played about 40 odd games, but I thought he was terrific.
For the future, young Branthwaite has all the qualities to become the best of the lot, but he will need some of Tarkowski's durability if he is to fulfil his enormous potential.

David (7), I also enjoyed watching Richard Gough, wish we could have gotten him earlier.

Colin Todd was another one that I wish we signed earlier.

I have to take issue with you though Sean with your mention of Mick Lyons. A not very good centre half in a poor team, in my opinion!

My dad always waxed lyrical about T G Jones but Brian labone is my first centre half recollection that stood out.

David @ 7, I think your post is spot on, he's Mr. dependable.
Our defensive record over the last few years has been good so he must be doing some things well.

Darren is not a fan he's made that clear, it's all about opinions
though isn't it.

Tarkowski has played very well this season not only as a centre back but also as a captain and leader. I noticed on Monday that while the rest of the team was in the corner celebrating the goal Tarkowski stayed close to the referee who was besieged by Newcastle players arguing that Schär had been fouled by Barry in the build-up. Managing the officials is a key aspect of the captain’s role in the modern game especially since the introduction of VAR. Referees have many voices banging their ear. Ensuring his team’s view is heard is something at which Tarkowski is very adept.

The captain has also been effective keeping the team as a whole on track, intervening when necessary to calm Pickford and those team mates on the end of our keeper’s displeasure.

Darren Hind, the floor is yours.

David and Peter, that is interesting bringing up Richard Gough, because I also thought he was as good as any other central defender, I have seen playing for Everton.

The night we beat Liverpool at Anfield, when Kevin Campbell scored, was as good as a performance as I’ve ever seen from a centre half playing for Everton, from Gough, although I also really enjoyed John Stones, playing against Chelsea, when Steven Naismith, came off the bench to score a hat-trick, with the crowd singing “money can’t buy you Stones”

I like Tarkowski, although I didn’t think he was helping the very inexperienced Rohl, out enough, when he started playing fullback, at the start of this season, but he has been good lately and central defenders, who have no pace, usually need a good few games to get upto speed after the summer break.

I will never understand why you can't just enjoy the moment. Just sit back and grin, and when someone asks you why your grinning, don't answer them.

Thanks Edward @11

I was kinda hoping I could wake up and bask in our third victory without being called out.

I saw this article yesterday and decided not to respond. I felt it was penned with people other than me in mind. But here goes.

I think in order to make what is essentially a journeyman defender sound like a top player, Sean has been very selective with his "facts". An awful lot of this post center aound one game, but he completely ignorse the bigger picture. The colosus upon which the Burnley defence was built was actually relegated - Despite him being surrounded by better players. While the blue in claret was sinking without trace. the real blues. Much maligned players like Kenny, Godfrey, Holgate, Doucourie, keane were staying up.

Tarkowski has only ever been involved in backs-to-the-wall survival battles, so to put him in the same bracket as trophy winners like Watson, Radcliffe and Labone would suggest his popularity has surpassed his ability. By some considerable distance.

We have all seen what JT looks like without Branthwaite, so it was with a wry smile that I read Sean telling me how much Jarradd (A rolls Royce of a player) was benefiting from playing next to a proven journey man.

I agree that Tarks is a throwback. He is a reminder of the times when Cult figures were often mistaken for Great players. His popularity seems to be based his cunning use of the dark arts. His hard man routine. His last ditch clearances. He is so "clever" because he "NEVER gets a red card" Well ones mans "cunning" is another mans fuck-wittery. Tarks has seen over 70 yellow cards. The majority of which were uneccesary. That means that an already limited player has had to try to see 70 games out while being handicapped by the fact that he cant afford to put another foot wrong. For a man who would likely finish second in a foot race with a lighthouse. Thats not a great position to be in. Thats why when he's marshalling our defence, the back four is more often than not a back six or seven - "Drop Five, Illman". All adds to the stats.

I hope that answers your question Edward. You may not agree, but I can only call it the way I see it. JT's style of play will always afford him impressive stats. Unfortunately the facts don't really support them.

Back to celebration mode; Moyes Barry and Tarks all earned their corn last night. Long may it continue

Darren @ 15 Stats are, quite literally, “facts.