Everton Youth Teams Thread

[blueloon]

It’s interesting that Jak Stewart the 16 year old goalkeeper has started the last two u 18 matches, I wonder if that’s just rotation or he’s snuck ahead of usual keeper Leban. He certainly looks tall enough , 6 ft 2/3 ish?. He was in an England U17s training squad with Thierry Small late last year, but I don’t believe he’s featured in an actual competitive game yet at that level. 16 of course is too young to tell if a goalkeeper can make steps up needed, usually they are agile shotstoppers but we know they require more skills than that.

 

[Thomasc]

He chews ground up when travelling with the ball. Shades of Vierra.

No pressure then lol

 

[BornBlue76]

Notable other mentions- Mallon. Not ready a standout name, a 2nd year scholar (albeit a younger one, still 17) and not one who's had any exposure at the 23s, but I thought he did well. Has

The issue comes I suppose, that theres probably not enough wow factor with any. They are all very solid, and will make league footballers, but hard to see where Everton benefit. Maybe it's me being harsh. One way around it, as we seem to be doing now, is you throw these lads up ages on themselves and they have to learn to cope, in speed and thought quicker, or get found out- and if they do, theres always another lad the year below.

That was my take out. It’s the first full game I have watched a lot of them after really only seeing highlights or snippets.

i did sit there looking for someone to “own” the match.. like Liam Walsh used to do.. Barkley before him.. and I didn’t see a full performance.. many had moments of excellence but no one seemed to dictate what was happening or go the match without a hatful of errors..

Mallon actually of all didn’t seem to out a foot wrong the whole night. Probably put in the best cross I’ve seen from the right full back position I’ve seen in ages too from anyone in a blue shirt... Welch also seemed to do ok with his defensive buddy.

Obviously not carrying opinion yet but still not seeing a clear front runner in the youth set up (besides Small)

 

[Philw]

He chews ground up when travelling with the ball. Shades of Vierra.

No pressure then lol

If he turns in to half the player Viera was we'll have a gem

 

[Ring master]

Everton Under-18s boss Paul Tait says his team will approach Saturday’s match against league leaders Manchester United with “sky-high confidence” following their dramatic FA Youth Cup third-round triumph on Wednesday night.

The young Blues came from two goals down to beat Wigan Athletic 4-2 after extra time at Southport FC's Pure Stadium. The Toffees will travel to Manchester City in the fourth round, with the tie provisionally slated for Saturday 3 April.

Everton’s immediate attention now returns to the U18 Premier League (North), with the Toffees aiming to sustain their momentum after three consecutive victories when United visit USM Finch Farm on Saturday (11am GMT).

Maximum points could see fifth-placed Everton move into the division’s top-four.

“Confidence will be sky-high after the Youth Cup win,” Tait told evertonfc.com.

“The boys will be feeling really good about themselves. We had a few injuries – which we need to look at – and some of the lads will go with the First Team and some back to the Under-23s for their game against Arsenal.

“There were lads who missed out against Wigan who will play on Saturday.

“United are top of the league so it’s going to be another really good game. We’ll need to move on from the cup win and keep using that confidence, resilience and character we showed.

“There are some tactical areas where we got better as the game went on against Wigan, in terms of our build-up and link-up play, and our attacking threat. We’ll look to take that into the United game, too.”

Tait says Everton’s blend of determination, resolve and technical quality were all required in their stirring Youth Cup comeback victory.

Goals from Sean McGurk and Harry McHugh put Wigan in a commanding position before Matthew Mallon halved the deficit for the Toffees.

Everton striker Tom Cannon then saw a penalty well saved but the Blues levelled through Reece Welch midway through the second half.

And Cannon settled the tie by netting twice in extra-time. He found the bottom corner with a precision strike from the edge of the area and stepped up again when Everton were awarded a spot-kick – this time slotting home from 12 yards.

“Tom’s a goalscorer,” Tait said.

“I think you’ve got to be a certain type to keep putting yourself in positions to score. He doesn’t hide. That takes a certain type of mental toughness and instinct.

“I was delighted with him. His all-round game was really good. For five or 10 minutes, he let the penalty miss affect him a little bit.

“But then, after the half-time break, he was very good.”

Tait said Cannon’s attitude was reflected throughout his team.

“I was really proud of the way the lads showed character and resilience,” he added.

“It was a real cup tie. It was a bit of a shaky start from the boys, we didn’t quite get into our rhythm.

“Credit to Wigan, they started really well and they pressed us – they didn’t allow us to play.

"But from half-time onwards, we took control.

“You’ve got to remember these games are a massive part of their development as players. Those qualities of resilience and character are so important for them if they want to progress to play in our First Team or anywhere as a professional.

“We spoke about that at half-time – and the players spoke about what they needed to turn the game around.

“Firstly, psychologically, coming up with those traits of good resilience and character, and then turning that into quality football on the pitch. We produced that.”

 

[atrottel]

I was most impressed with Warrington, given that I hadn't really heard or seen that much of him before. He popped up in good positions continually through the match and seemed to have a very smooth way of taking and releasing the ball. He's 18 though and central midfield is currently a crowded place to make your mark.
I liked the look of Lowey, the fullback who came on in place of Small. But again I have historic form for being impressed with fullbacks who never make it close to the first team...

 

[Nymzee]

 

[catcherintherye]

If he turns in to half the player Viera was we'll have a gem

It was more a question of stylistically, but absolutely!

 

[catcherintherye]

That was my take out. It’s the first full game I have watched a lot of them after really only seeing highlights or snippets.

i did sit there looking for someone to “own” the match.. like Liam Walsh used to do.. Barkley before him.. and I didn’t see a full performance.. many had moments of excellence but no one seemed to dictate what was happening or go the match without a hatful of errors..

Mallon actually of all didn’t seem to out a foot wrong the whole night. Probably put in the best cross I’ve seen from the right full back position I’ve seen in ages too from anyone in a blue shirt... Welch also seemed to do ok with his defensive buddy.

Obviously not carrying opinion yet but still not seeing a clear front runner in the youth set up (besides Small)

Yes I think thats fair. Probably the closest to that was Lewis Warrington, who sat in and kept the game ticking over. My view is he just won't be tall enough to make it here, but he did well. It would have been nice to see Luke Butterfield play.

I thought at times Price and Onyango forced the game too much, both seemed happier playing deeper.

As for Mallon, I was impressed. He was of a really good size, which is what holds Kenny back and probably John. However, even though it sounds harsh, if you're about to turn 18 and you haven't moved into the reserves or played for the national team at youth level, there isn't a lot of hopes of a career here.

A bit disapoointed by Hagan, who had played for England, but he's just stopped growing, and looks about 5 ft 7, which is much too small for a centre half.

 

[catcherintherye]

It’s interesting that Jak Stewart the 16 year old goalkeeper has started the last two u 18 matches, I wonder if that’s just rotation or he’s snuck ahead of usual keeper Leban. He certainly looks tall enough , 6 ft 2/3 ish?. He was in an England U17s training squad with Thierry Small late last year, but I don’t believe he’s featured in an actual competitive game yet at that level. 16 of course is too young to tell if a goalkeeper can make steps up needed, usually they are agile shotstoppers but we know they require more skills than that.

I make you right in taking about his size. Looks probably 6ft/6 ft1 already, and as you say yet to turn 17. In general, despite bringing lots in we've never really brought a goalkeeper through. If Leban is pressing Tyrer for the 23's thats a real positive.

 

[BornBlue76]

As for Mallon, I was impressed. He was of a really good size, which is what holds Kenny back and probably John. However, even though it sounds harsh, if you're about to turn 18 and you haven't moved into the reserves or played for the national team at youth level, there isn't a lot of hopes of a career here.

Mallon did seem a unit which is good and I think you are right about that holding back John... transfer market has him at 1.89m.. didn’t seem that tall..

From Everton “ defender sees his pace, strength, defending and crossing as his main assets and ranks Andre Gomes as his favourite Everton player.”

The fact he mentions crossing is awesome.. although liking Gomes is a concern

those indicators of success I think you know have been my mantra on youth expectations for years.. so no matter what we think from one performance the chances are low in reality. But if he breaks out in the next year (he is 17) and gets into the first team squad within the next 3 years he could be interesting to watch.

 

[Ring master]

 

[Philw]

A bit disapoointed by Hagan, who had played for England, but he's just stopped growing, and looks about 5 ft 7, which is much too small for a centre half.

Don't recall watching him much. If he's likely going to be too small for CB, do you think he could move in to a DM/defensive CM role? Does he have the tools in his locker for that?

 

[Zatara]

It’s interesting that Jak Stewart the 16 year old goalkeeper has started the last two u 18 matches, I wonder if that’s just rotation or he’s snuck ahead of usual keeper Leban. He certainly looks tall enough , 6 ft 2/3 ish?. He was in an England U17s training squad with Thierry Small late last year, but I don’t believe he’s featured in an actual competitive game yet at that level. 16 of course is too young to tell if a goalkeeper can make steps up needed, usually they are agile shotstoppers but we know they require more skills than that.

It would be good if we finally brought a keeper through

 

[catcherintherye]

Mallon did seem a unit which is good and I think you are right about that holding back John... transfer market has him at 1.89m.. didn’t seem that tall..

From Everton “ defender sees his pace, strength, defending and crossing as his main assets and ranks Andre Gomes as his favourite Everton player.”

The fact he mentions crossing is awesome.. although liking Gomes is a concern

those indicators of success I think you know have been my mantra on youth expectations for years.. so no matter what we think from one performance the chances are low in reality. But if he breaks out in the next year (he is 17) and gets into the first team squad within the next 3 years he could be interesting to watch.

Yes. He looks about 184cm to me, so a couple of inches off that (Onyango looks about 190cm). He could keep growing though. His next challenge, will be to get into the under 23s