The 34-year-old defender is pushing for the Champions League with Everton, who are the surprise package of the season so far.
The Toffees had the third meanest defence in the Premier League last season but have managed just one clean sheet in their last six games, drawing 2-2 at Wigan last time out.
It hasn't stopped them getting results as a more expansive approach sees Everton sitting fourth in the table and Distin is enjoying developments at Goodison Park.
Sylvain Distin: "We're going to have to try and find different ways to play.
"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 (Leighton Baines) and (Steven) 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?"
He was never officially a Newcastle United player - he was with us in 2001 on loan.
During his early years his time at Paris Saint-Germain was short-lived and after a year, Distin went on loan to Newcastle United where he made 35 appearances in all competitions.
Following the loan spell, Newcastle's Sir Bobby Robson wanted to sign Distin permanently but he instead opted to sign for Manchester City where he could play in his preferred position of central defence, rather than left-back at Newcastle.
The transfer fee was £4 million, setting a club record for a defender.