Everton Youth Teams Thread

[blueloon]

U18s first against Sunderland on Sat. Dyson, Henen and Grant have moved out on loan so it suggests that some U18s like Delial Brewster and Nathan Broadhead may get moved up , together with U18s like Walsh, Dowell, Evans , Davies who've played u21 before. Moving Brewster up would be good for him and a chance to get Shaun Lavery in to start for the u18s again, as he returned from injury at last weeks game. Sad I know , but my brain has more fun with considering the u18/21 teams and who is playing where than the 1st team where I could predict 9 of the 11 ! The u18 team for Saturday should therefore give clues about the u21 team.

 

[catcherintherye]

Catcher.
I mean that there are so many quality youngsters all at a high level that no one really stands out as the next youngster to break into the first team.
Take Ledson as an example. He looks as if he could fit into the first team today and previously he would be the stand out player in the academy that everybody knew he would be a first team player.
But Ledson has to fight for attention with Dowell, Henen, Holgate and others and I think it becomes more difficult to really make a mark, the stronger first team squad also raises the bar for these young lads.

Thanks mate that's what I thought, I just wondered who it was who didn't see the wood for the trees, sorry it wasn't meant to sound as adversarially as it probably seemed.

I agree 100% with you though. Without having a Barkley/Rooney type player we have half a dozen or so who certainly look as if they have the potential of making a go of it in Everton's first team. It reminds me of the 98 youth team we had, when Jeffers, Ball, Cadamateri, Dunne, Osman & Hibbert all played in the same team.

You are right to say as well, prior to 3 years ago Ledson would have been the standout player we'd have had over the space of 4 or 5 years. The same could be said for Dowell, Walsh or Kenny. To get 4 in the same age group is very fortunate. I think that's driving them on as well. Ledson was playing for the reserves as a 15 year old yet with some of the younger lads (namely Davies and Walsh) putting in impressive displays he has to keep his performances high otherwise they will overtake him.

On Ledson I know some are questioning his loan to Cambridge but I think it's a brilliant loan for him and just what was needed. The difference between league 1 and 2 is quite minimal, the crucial thing is that he gets some playing time. He has only just turned 18 remember and if he can get 10-15 games at that level don't rule him out being around the first team by the end of the season. It sounds like they already think they've got a bit of a coup getting him so he should get game time.

 

[sportbillyblue]

Loon ... based on your knowledge of the youngsters what future do you see for some of them ? for example:

I can see Holgate in the 1st Team as RB/Right Side Central Defence .. possibly RM in 2 to 3 years.
Ledson - 1st Team CM in the same time frame, maybe a bit longer, Walsh too .. possibly as a #10.

 

[sportbillyblue]

. It sounds like they already think they've got a bit of a coup getting him so he should get game time.

Shaun Derry made it sound like Christmas had come early for Cambridge Utd .. very complimentary towards Everton.

Like you I hope Ledson takes his chance .. would love to see him in the 1st team by the end of the season.

 

[catcherintherye]

Shaun Derry made it sound like Christmas had come early for Cambridge Utd .. very complimentary towards Everton.

Like you I hope Ledson takes his chance .. would love to see him in the 1st team by the end of the season.

I suppose I am of a different view to most on here who seem to be very occupied about what level they are playing at. I think playing for the right coach in the right set up with the right team makes more difference than the division. I also think getting game time at a competitive level makes more difference.

Very few championship teams nowadays want to take 18 year olds for a month. A lot often have internationals playing for them who they won't want to move out for a month to make room for a teenager. I think regular game time will be great for him. If he's too good for that standard then it will show and he will get a move up.

 

[FTY]

No coincidence that Ledsons gone out as soon as Clev is back, shows he was there to be called upon if needed

 

[blueloon]

Agree with above, great short term move for Ledson to a club who are pleased to have him and put him in the squad straight away. As I said previously, for England last weekend he was doing what we know he can do, so no issues there. Outside his comfort zone maybe, but when you've captained you're country to a trophy it won't be anything he can't cope with. He's not adverse to getting stuck in either, I think he'll thrive and progress there.
I'm much happier with the recent loans than when Kenny and Dyson came back a month or so ago and you couldn't see the plan. Griffiths in his interview said he was ahead of the plan for him despite being at lowly Halifax, the overall planning seems back to being cohesive again. It appears though that we like to have two years as Scholars before they go out, so it may be next season before the likes of Connolly and Dowell go out .Both are worthy of being in the 1st team squad this season, but that extra bit of nouse and experience gained on loan, and age, may just make the difference to them.

 

[mightymoyes]

Agree with above, great short term move for Ledson to a club who are pleased to have him and put him in the squad straight away. As I said previously, for England last weekend he was doing what we know he can do, so no issues there. Outside his comfort zone maybe, but when you've captained you're country to a trophy it won't be anything he can't cope with. He's not adverse to getting stuck in either, I think he'll thrive and progress there.
I'm much happier with the recent loans than when Kenny and Dyson came back a month or so ago and you couldn't see the plan. Griffiths in his interview said he was ahead of the plan for him despite being at lowly Halifax, the overall planning seems back to being cohesive again. It appears though that we like to have two years as Scholars before they go out, so it may be next season before the likes of Connolly and Dowell go out .Both are worthy of being in the 1st team squad this season, but that extra bit of nouse and experience gained on loan, and age, may just make the difference to them.

Why do you think this loan is any different to Kennys?

 

[blueloon]

Why do you think this loan is any different to Kennys?

? Not sure what you're question is mate, Ledson's loan seems relatively similar to Kenny's loan , about same time period, a football league club albeit a division lower. My comment about the Kenny/ Dyson loans was not a criticism of their loans, Kenny's in particular worked well for him. It was that when they came back I was puzzled about the plan particularly sending some youngsters out to 7th level teams, and we didn't seem to have as many out on loan as last season.

 

[Zatara]

@catcherintherye @blueloon


Hi guys,


I am guessing Ledson/Kenny could be in contention for 1st team action by the end of the season + Dowell and Walsh perhaps next season?


What do you think? Who would they be competing with in the first team and do you think they have enough potential to make positions their own?


Also any others who may join the group such as Henen?


Separately weve signed Holgate of course, i noted that comments from (catcher i think)were saying he looks like another Stones but for concentration loss possibly as he switches off as the u21s are way below his level?? Do we think he could compete with Stones at all or be an able backup?


Lastly, Browning seems like a great local squad player but i imagine would be overtaken by Stones and Kenny soon...what do you think?


I'd be very interested to learn especially how you view these players and where you could see them making their mark in the first team and how far you think they could go.....since we had Dunne/Ball/Jeffers and others like McCann i dont think we have had such a potentially large group on the verge of coming through on top of young signings we have made...


It reminds me of O'Leary's Leeds and of.course the Beckham years at UTD.

 

[sageyefc]

Agree with above, great short term move for Ledson to a club who are pleased to have him and put him in the squad straight away. As I said previously, for England last weekend he was doing what we know he can do, so no issues there. Outside his comfort zone maybe, but when you've captained you're country to a trophy it won't be anything he can't cope with. He's not adverse to getting stuck in either, I think he'll thrive and progress there.
I'm much happier with the recent loans than when Kenny and Dyson came back a month or so ago and you couldn't see the plan. Griffiths in his interview said he was ahead of the plan for him despite being at lowly Halifax, the overall planning seems back to being cohesive again. It appears though that we like to have two years as Scholars before they go out, so it may be next season before the likes of Connolly and Dowell go out .Both are worthy of being in the 1st team squad this season, but that extra bit of nouse and experience gained on loan, and age, may just make the difference to them.

Based on what?

 

[Eggs]

...the U21 leagues doesn't give the lads the edge they need at that vital stage of development. Pochatino at Spurs is a big advocate of sending his youngsters out on loan and it's no coincidence that their youth players are breaking through.

 

[blueloon]

Based on what?

The potential of both of them , the ability that Dowell showed when he featured in pre season games, the ability that Connolly has shown in playing in three different positions for the U21 and the maturity he has shown playing LB for England u19s.
You will have noticed I'm sure that the context that you took my quote out of was that I thought both would benefit from a loan out and further experience. The PL is a huge step up for18 year olds, my view is that it wouldn't hurt to include one of them in a first team squad on occasions to help develop them. Then again I'm happy to admit my enthusiasm for the youngsters can leap ahead of their maturity.....reading about the injuries to Galloway, Baines not quite ready , is Oviedo fit?, I'm also happy to admit I considered the possibility of Connolly being LB cover on the bench today, which maybe is a step too far at this stage for him.

 

[sageyefc]

The potential of both of them , the ability that Dowell showed when he featured in pre season games, the ability that Connolly has shown in playing in three different positions for the U21 and the maturity he has shown playing LB for England u19s.
You will have noticed I'm sure that the context that you took my quote out of was that I thought both would benefit from a loan out and further experience. The PL is a huge step up for18 year olds, my view is that it wouldn't hurt to include one of them in a first team squad on occasions to help develop them. Then again I'm happy to admit my enthusiasm for the youngsters can leap ahead of their maturity.....reading about the injuries to Galloway, Baines not quite ready , is Oviedo fit?, I'm also happy to admit I considered the possibility of Connolly being LB cover on the bench today, which maybe is a step too far at this stage for him.

But to say with such certainty they warrant a place in the first team is a bit premature, theyre talented lads but its a huge step up and theyve yet to play at anywhere near a significant competitive level, we should be in no rush, let them go out on loans and develope

 

[blueloon]

But to say with such certainty they warrant a place in the first team is a bit premature, theyre talented lads but its a huge step up and theyve yet to play at anywhere near a significant competitive level, we should be in no rush, let them go out on loans and develope

Where did I say "with such certainty they warrant a place in the first team" ?. You seem determined to misquote me and take my quotes out of context. These are the points I made.

It appears though that we like to have two years as Scholars before they go out, so it may be next season before the likes of Connolly and Dowell go out .Both are worthy of being in the 1st team squad this season, but that extra bit of nouse and experience gained on loan, and age, may just make the difference to them.

I've stated quite clearly there about the need to go out on loan, and even that it may be next season. Being "worthy of being in a squad this season, but ...." is not the same as your misquote of me saying " they warrant a place in the first team ".

In this context , I also stated quite clearly my view on youngsters being involved in the squad, and again for your clarification , no it doesn't mean they should start for the 1st team before they are ready. Its a view, if you disagree with it that's fine , but this is becoming a pointless circular argument so I'll leave it there.

The PL is a huge step up for18 year olds, my view is that it wouldn't hurt to include one of them in a first team squad on occasions to help develop them. .