.....and I think this is the point for those calling for wholesale promotion to the first team. Unsworth has a well organised and very hard working group of lads who lack nothing for attitude. I remember Craig Short saying Everton provide the ultimate test for opposing youngsters in that league because they set-up like a Premiership team.
Credit to the lads and to Unsworth, the real achievement will be if one or two can become regulars in the first team.
I think this is an important point. It's a real team effort last night, which on the one hand is great, but don't be fooled that the club would much rather see a team win it on the back of the talent of 1 or 2 lads (who they can then promote to the first team).
He seems to get a lot of stick on here, but I can only wonder if it's a matter of time until someone gives Unsworth a chance. While he has a good budget, it's nowhere near as big as the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea, City etc yet he makes the team effective at what they do. I know people will want a more expansive game plan, but I tend to be a bit more glass half full- each player he sends up to the first team will know the basics of what mens football is about.
They will know the importance of winning, of shape, of how to position yourself without the ball, of how to take responsibility off set pieces etc. In essence they will know how to be a team player. Some will then have exceptionally ability to go alongside that, which can be brought out, but it's by no means a bad grounding for any of those players- and will probably help most of them in their careers outside of Everton (which lets face it is what most are destined for) and should allow them the maximum chance to earn a good living out of the game.
We all view it as if thats a consolation prize, it's Everton or nothing but for the lads in question (most of them not even from Liverpool or the surrounding areas) the main focus will be getting a contract from a league club and becoming financially secure in the process. If it's with Everton then it's a great bonus but that's it alone.
For reasons in the first paragraph I am cautious about the team, or more cautious than with other teams. None of the attacking players really stand out to me. None of them are as eye catching as Dowell was 3 years ago and while he has trained with the first team and had some good moments, he's currently in and around the squad of a top championship team (which feels his level). The counter I suppose would be that some like a Hornby isn't a million miles off where Calvert Lewin was for the under 23's, though clearly DCL had attributes the first team felt could be developed quickly.
There are no weak links in that side though, and in a strange way you couldn't rule out any of the lads in question making it on an individual basis, but you'd be very cautious about predicting them to do so.
