Everton Youth Teams Thread

[blueloon]

Assume Kouyate is injured at the moment

Yep, that’s the assumption , not seen since his red card against the RS. One to add to the “ next season’s U23s list”!

 

[messymascot]

An interesting quote from Unsworth of “ “It is a sign of what’s to come because that is our team for next year.””. With 5 u18s on the pitch towards the end , Welch on the bench, Whitaker looking good , Small and Dobbin to come back from injury, Garcia , Warrington , McAlister and Kristensen moving up you can see how next season could look. It’s hard to see Anderson and Hunt being retained, a tough call on Ouzounidis , with Astley and John likely to stay .

I think Hunt has another year on his contract. I would give John another year. Astley would get a two year contract but I would be looking to put him out on loan. I would keep Anderson ahead of Ouzounidis as he is a year younger and can cover both centre back and left back.

 

[Ring master]

Date looks confirmed for FA Youth Cup Game

4th Round FA Youth Cup
Saturday 3rd April 2pm kick off
Man City u18s v Everton u18s

 

[BigMick]

David Unsworth says Everton Under-23s’ enterprising performance against Arsenal at Southport on Sunday points to a promising future for his inexperienced team.

Manager Unsworth fielded a youthful side, although it was one of the older heads in Nathan Broadhead who capped a sweeping move to give Everton the advantage on 41 minutes.

Everton retained the upper hand until the game entered its final quarter and Arsenal’s football grew chancier as the away team pursued an equaliser.

And Arsenal drew level when the consistently impressive Folarin Balogun – a player with two goals from five senior appearances – struck nine minutes from time.

“For 70 minutes, we were outstanding, probably the best we’ve played all season, with such a young team,” Unsworth told evertontv.

“I am so disappointed for the lads that they couldn’t see the job out.

“We played some fantastic football, forced the young lads to play in the right way and scored a brilliant goal.

It was fantastic move and as good a goal as you’ll see at this level.

“But we couldn’t sustain it [tempo] and lost a bit of energy, at around 70-75 minutes, you could see we were zapped of everything.

“We put an extra man in midfield to try to help them see the game out but to be fair to Arsenal, they had a good 10-minute spell and scored in that period.

“But we were very good for 70 minutes and played the right way.

“It is a sign of what’s to come because that is our team for next year.”

Everton’s goal was the product of a flowing move constructed down the right.

Rhys Hughes wriggled out of a tight spot to feed 17-year-old Mathew Mallon, a 25th-minute replacement for Einar Iversen.

Mallon nudged the ball out of his feet and sent a tremendous cross to the far post, where Broadhead stole in to convert beyond Arsenal goalkeeper Tom Smith.

Everton – who finished the game with 10 men after midfielder Tyler Onyango received a second yellow card deep into stoppage time – were hauled back close to the end.

Balogun strode forwards following a prolonged spell of Arsenal possession to arc a 20-yard strike inside Harry Tyrer’s left post.

Goalkeeper Tyrer, who made a number of notable stops, didn’t have a chance.

“Balogun is a good young player with great potential and it was a great strike,” continued Unsworth.

“Arsenal have good young players and we went toe-to-toe with them.

“They were chasing the game and could gamble and put more pressure on us.

“But it was a cracking game, with two teams trying to play the right way, and I really enjoyed it.

“We had some great performances, [17-year-old midfielder] Isaac Price was terrific, so, too, [defenders, aged 19 and 20, respectively] Ryan Astley and Kyle John.

“Harry made a couple of great saves at crucial times.

“Massive compliments to the players for their performance

“We have changed our system and are looking to play a slightly different way and they gave us everything.

“I am very proud of the players.”

Have to say, not for the first time, that Unsie's description makes me wonder if we were watching the same game. I agree, though, that we ran out of energy - I put the below par performance of some of the players down to the 120 minutes they played in midweek.

 

[Ring master]

Have to say, not for the first time, that Unsie's description makes me wonder if we were watching the same game. I agree, though, that we ran out of energy - I put the below par performance of some of the players down to the 120 minutes they played in midweek.

Thought the same to be fair, thought we were not great 1st half, and only really got a touch better just before the goal, and we know what we were like 2nd half, not sure of been outstanding for 70mins at all

 

[Brisan123]

From the little I have read and seen it seems Unsworth has been given his orders to play the younger players to see if they can cut the mustard at a higher level
We used to have the oldest Under 23 squad now we are going the other direction
Unsworth will not be winning Under 23 leagues for a while and rightly so

 

[BornBlue76]

From the little I have read and seen it seems Unsworth has been given his orders to play the younger players to see if they can cut the mustard at a higher level
We used to have the oldest Under 23 squad now we are going the other direction
Unsworth will not be winning Under 23 leagues for a while and rightly so

He had a super young side before and developed them into a winning team.. he might do the same again.. but might need a couple seasons and by then a few might (should) have moved up or on

 

[blueloon]

From the little I have read and seen it seems Unsworth has been given his orders to play the younger players to see if they can cut the mustard at a higher level
We used to have the oldest Under 23 squad now we are going the other direction
Unsworth will not be winning Under 23 leagues for a while and rightly so

In fairness to Unsworth this started last season , not only with the U23s but with a talented bunch of Schoolboys playing at u18 and now at U23s. Ultimately he will need to do what Brands tells him to , but Brands‘ style is not to “ give orders to play younger players” . There is an integration throughout the club which wasn’t there in Silva’s days, who seemed to be wary of and ignore Unsworth, maybe he saw him as a threat who steps up if he gets sacked. Carlo has attended U23s games, regularly has U23s players training with the first team, is so secure in his own ability and persona he would never see Unsworth as a threat , he’s more avuncular - like benevolent uncle. Tait at u18s, Unsworth at U23s , and Brands now seem to be working to the same philosophy of delivering youngsters capable of getting into our first team. Whether we have players talented enough to break into the first team of course is something for the future.

 

[FinnTrikker]

Can't say i'm not envious of other teams and their ability to bring in young players who make an impact,i don't pretend to have the knowledge of our youth set up like some on here but i don't get the impression of a real talent about to make the breakthrough.I look back at the buzz that Cadamarterie,Anichebe,Jeffers,Vaughan and of course Rooney and wonder when will we get to see that again,maybe this change of policy fastracking U18 to the U23's will be of benefit to the 1st team eventually.....Seen Nathan Tella a few times for Southampton,looks like a real prospect and only 17,a a case of getting the chance and seizing it...

 

[EFC_FRANCIS]

Can't say i'm not envious of other teams and their ability to bring in young players who make an impact,i don't pretend to have the knowledge of our youth set up like some on here but i don't get the impression of a real talent about to make the breakthrough.I look back at the buzz that Cadamarterie,Anichebe,Jeffers,Vaughan and of course Rooney and wonder when will we get to see that again,maybe this change of policy fastracking U18 to the U23's will be of benefit to the 1st team eventually.....Seen Nathan Tella a few times for Southampton,looks like a real prospect and only 17,a a case of getting the chance and seizing it...

Nathan Tella is 21 btw. Onyango has been on our bench multiple times this season as a 17 year old but if he's not ready for first team football it's pointless throwing him to the wolves. Pretty much all your examples for us were attackers born out of desperation and being skint. And despite them all bursting through early on only Rooney stayed as real high quality player for long and that's because he was the best English talent of his generation.

Instead of that now we buy Josh King for 6 months so I doubt they will be fast tracked to that extent whilst Moshiri isn't bored of wasting money.

Have some patience brother I think you'd do well to find any team outside of 'the big six' with players better than we have at the moment despite the academy ban

 

[messymascot]

In fairness to Unsworth this started last season , not only with the U23s but with a talented bunch of Schoolboys playing at u18 and now at U23s. Ultimately he will need to do what Brands tells him to , but Brands‘ style is not to “ give orders to play younger players” . There is an integration throughout the club which wasn’t there in Silva’s days, who seemed to be wary of and ignore Unsworth, maybe he saw him as a threat who steps up if he gets sacked. Carlo has attended U23s games, regularly has U23s players training with the first team, is so secure in his own ability and persona he would never see Unsworth as a threat , he’s more avuncular - like benevolent uncle. Tait at u18s, Unsworth at U23s , and Brands now seem to be working to the same philosophy of delivering youngsters capable of getting into our first team. Whether we have players talented enough to break into the first team of course is something for the future.

The change of approach is needed. We have been producing plenty of good players for teams further down the league but none good enough for a top 4 aspiring side. Tom Davies is the only one that's had decent game time and many think even he isn't good enough. Hopefully with less congestion and a clear pathway any that might be good enough won't get clogged down in the system. We have u18s getting regular games against u23s which can only aid their development.

 

[Eggs]

The change of approach is needed. We have been producing plenty of good players for teams further down the league but none good enough for a top 4 aspiring side. Tom Davies is the only one that's had decent game time and many think even he isn't good enough. Hopefully with less congestion and a clear pathway any that might be good enough won't get clogged down in the system. We have u18s getting regular games against u23s which can only aid their development.

....I think it’s very difficult to produce diamonds from your Academy system, there might be an argument that we provide more than our neighbours from the local area. Arguably it’s always been the case that we produce a few every five years or so.

What is proving fruitful is the strategy of buying promising youngsters at U23 and younger levels. Stones, Holgate, DCL, Nkounkou, Branthwaite, Gibson etc.

 

[messymascot]

....I think it’s very difficult to produce diamonds from your Academy system, there might be an argument that we provide more than our neighbours. Arguably it’s always been the case that we produce a few every five years or so.

What is proving fruitful is the strategy of buying promising youngsters at U23 and younger levels. Stones, Holgate, DCL, Nkounkou, Branthwaite, Gibson etc.

Yeah I like that approach of cherry picking top talent from elsewhere just there was a couple of seasons we had far too many players in the U23s and it seemed like Unsworth was picking players based on trying to win competitions rather than developing them for the first team. Diamonds are rare and in the last 20 years we have only really produced Rooney and Barkley that were absolutely top class. My concern is we don't even seem to be producing squad players from our academy. The only youngsters we seem to have that make it are the ones you mentioned above who were part developed by other clubs. Usually because they got exposure to 1st team football earlier than they would have if they started here.

 

[Eggs]

Yeah I like that approach of cherry picking top talent from elsewhere just there was a couple of seasons we had far too many players in the U23s and it seemed like Unsworth was picking players based on trying to win competitions rather than developing them for the first team. Diamonds are rare and in the last 20 years we have only really produced Rooney and Barkley that were absolutely top class. My concern is we don't even seem to be producing squad players from our academy. The only youngsters we seem to have that make it are the ones you mentioned above who were part developed by other clubs. Usually because they got exposure to 1st team football earlier than they would have if they started here.

...i’m not an Unsworth fan but I do think the finger is too easily pointed at him. We don’t truly know (unless you are talking with knowledge) that he ‘picks teams to win competitions’. He might not have a totally free hand when it comes to selection, as the club might have a policy of selecting 2nd year professionals if they are available.

Unsworth has been very vocal about giving youngsters a chance at senior level. They have to be exceptional to bridge the gap and I personally think the special ones will do that regardless of who coaches the U23s. There’s not too many we release who turn out to be superstars, so if there is an issue it might be more to do with recruitment/scouting than team selection or coaching.

 

[messymascot]

...i’m not an Unsworth fan but I do think the finger is too easily pointed at him. We don’t truly know (unless you are talking with knowledge) that he ‘picks teams to win competitions’. He might not have a totally free hand when it comes to selection, as the club might have a policy of selecting 2nd year professionals if they are available.

Unsworth has been very vocal about giving youngsters a chance at senior level. They have to be exceptional to bridge the gap and I personally think the special ones will do that regardless of who coaches the U23s. There’s not too many we release who turn out to be superstars, so if there is an issue it might be more to do with recruitment/scouting than team selection or coaching.

I absolutely agree that some of the older professionals were probably forced on him. It's just I sometimes looked at the teams gevws picking and it was nothing like the first team set up and it's only recently the teams have been more aligned.

I know not many have come back to bite us but I wonder if by the time we release them they have missed their window for development. I'm hopeful this new policy will produce the goods.