Everton Youth Teams Thread

[johnnydawg68]

Honestly, I was crying out for him to play last season and thought he would force his way in this year but he was hugely disappointing the first half of the year. This was down to a few things with him getting the hump that Koeman didn't fancy him after pre season and also with him growing another few inches but I don't really think he warrants a place yet. Walsh is the one that I'm desperate to get game time but he has so much competition in front of him. Dowell is currently a match of the day player with a great highlights reel but doesn't affect games as much as he should. It's no use him looking brilliant for 5 mins a game if it's the equilavent of playing with 10 men for the other 85 and that has too often been the case.
I keep saying it but in terms of outright talent the lad should have been playing first team two years ago but considering how good his football brain is he seems to lack something innate. He can tackle and chase back but he prefers not too. That just isn't going to work with Koemans ethos.

I often wonder if he's bored, and that moving him into the first team would actually kick him into another gear with the increased competition and pressure.

He might be the best footballer we have in terms of pure skill, so I'm right there with you. He and Walsh are head scratchers for me.

 

[johnnydawg68]

Thats a good description. Last night was a very "Dowell" game as well. He kind of frittered on the edge of it but produced a moment of absolute quality. He kind of comes to life in and around the box and as the commentator said, that goal isn't a one off-he does that regularly.

I am a big believer in players having windows to make an impression at a club. I have no doubt Dowell will make a very good career for himself (as Ledson is now doing at Oxford). I would say he'll play at least 50 games in the premier league. However I am unsure they will be with us. I think his window to break through was probably last summer, when Koeman had a look at him and passed him on again. Davies the other young player who trained with the first team has really kicked on. It's hard to see on last nights (and other performances) how far he has improved on last season's performance, or how he can improve on them massively. In fairness to him his closing down has got better but he looks to me to always be the sort of player who will frit around the edge of a game before making something happen. I know Unsworth has been working hard at trying to improve him, but sometimes you are the type of player that just doesn't fit a managers style.

There is a lot of a comparison to Ozil at Arsenal (a lad who also infuriates Arsenal fans). The key words Koeman has said are intensity and pressing. Thats not his game. I don't think it ever will be. In many ways he's the opposite of Barkley, who is constantly in the game, Dowell it's all about subtlety. I do hope I am wrong about the above. I enjoy watching Keiran play massively, I wonder for those who saw him how far his demeanour reminds them of Alex Young? I'd love nothing more than to see Keiran get a chance in the summer and take it but have my concerns.

If Martinez was still here, I bet he would be in the team, don't you?

 

[blueblue]

I think that Dowell was not sent out on loan because the management were afraid that he would not get a regular game in the very competitive championship.
I think they are probably scratching their head about how best to develop his career His ability is clear for all to see, but, if you look at the pace and intensity of the premiership then I think he would struggle to make an impact. A few sublime moments is just not enough in a ninety minute game.
Just look how Barkley has had to up the level of his performance and workrate this season. I think that Unsworth has probably been working with Dowell to improve that side of his game. There is really no other reason why he would not be sent out on loan given that he hasn't been in involved with the first team squad this season.

 

[johnnydawg68]

I think that Dowell was not sent out on loan because the management were afraid that he would not get a regular game in the very competitive championship.
I think they are probably scratching their head about how best to develop his career His ability is clear for all to see, but, if you look at the pace and intensity of the premiership then I think he would struggle to make an impact. A few sublime moments is just not enough in a ninety minute game.
Just look how Barkley has had to up the level of his performance and workrate this season. I think that Unsworth has probably been working with Dowell to improve that side of his game. There is really no other reason why he would not be sent out on loan given that he hasn't been in involved with the first team squad this season.

Holland? They play the right style, everyone speaks English, and it's a good standard of football below Prem standard.

 

[johnnydawg68]

I'd actually like to see Walsh loaned out to a Dutch side as well. We obviously have Dutch contacts now. That league would suit them the best I should think, at this stage.

 

[catcherintherye]

i may be wrong but wasnt dowell away with the england u19s with the likes of kenny during pre-season whereas davies was available and made the most of being away with the firsts?

I'm not sure he was actually. He may have been but he definitely played some games in pre-season and I am not sure Koeman liked what he saw. He then sent him back to learn how to press. In all honesty I'm not sure Dowell will ever learn to be the sort of high octane player that was suggested (though he has made some improvements). So the question will be, whether Dowell can learn a side of his game completely foreign to him, or whether Koeman will change his expectations. If neither happens (which I suspect) he will be gone.

 

[catcherintherye]

If Martinez was still here, I bet he would be in the team, don't you?

It's a difficult one as I don't want to be massively drawn into the Martinez debate, but yes I think he would have had more opportunities.

 

[Billy Dean]

Legends in Dallas

 

[catcherintherye]

I think that Dowell was not sent out on loan because the management were afraid that he would not get a regular game in the very competitive championship.
I think they are probably scratching their head about how best to develop his career His ability is clear for all to see, but, if you look at the pace and intensity of the premiership then I think he would struggle to make an impact. A few sublime moments is just not enough in a ninety minute game.
Just look how Barkley has had to up the level of his performance and workrate this season. I think that Unsworth has probably been working with Dowell to improve that side of his game. There is really no other reason why he would not be sent out on loan given that he hasn't been in involved with the first team squad this season.

I think you are spot on there. We assume that Championship clubs will happily gobble up lads who can;t get a game for us. There is a whole industry now in sending young lads from PL clubs on loan to make money out of them down the line. I can see why a lot of championship clubs are wary of it.

The issue with Dowell more so than Barkley is that pressing really isn't his game. Barkley is more than capable of it, he just let himself let his fitness levels drop. At no level have I ever seen Dowell really get involved with the blood and thunder of a game. He looks unnatural doing it. I'm also not sure it can be learned to Premier league standard.

Lets put it this way, I think Dowell is a very ordinary footballer for the most part. What he possesses is a unique spacial awareness and a wand of a left foot. He takes up fantastic positions, plays very clever passes and always looks a step ahead of a lot of players. He also strikes the ball beautifully (though his corners/free kicks were poor yesterday). He isn't premier league standard in most other aspects though. The question will be how forgiving will a manager be in terms of accommodating his weaknesses for his strengths. Common compromises on many things, but as a rule he wants lads who can run and press. I'm not sure he will learn that.

Could you get Billy to play like Aaron Lennon?

 

[catcherintherye]

I often wonder if he's bored, and that moving him into the first team would actually kick him into another gear with the increased competition and pressure.

He might be the best footballer we have in terms of pure skill, so I'm right there with you. He and Walsh are head scratchers for me.

I think this is a really good shout with the boredom thing. The initial dropping down from the first team hit him hard in that autumn, though I'm not sure if he's through that. It's funny really in the summer him and Davies were seen as similarly talented lads and you look at their careers now and they are poles apart. It's shows his temporary and fragile young players careers are, especially young players.

He was trying to press yesterday but did give the impression of a lad who was playing within themselves. I have always thought watching him he is a step or two ahead of most players he plays with in his decision making. He has grown a bit which should help with defensive responsibilities, I'd love to see him start with us pre season and get another chance.

 

[catcherintherye]

Excellent summary catcherintherye. I thought Sambou was excellent when he came on, high pressing, quick, decent tough and a superb finish, he could easily have finished with a hat trick. Thought both teams were excellent going forward in the 2nd half, what stood out for me in terms o difference was the pressure we put on the ball compared to Spurs. There was a period in the game where Spurs struggled to get out from defence, shortly after Sambou came on, and we looked like we could score everytime we went forward. Thought Williams was good in the 2nd half but he definately looks more comfortbale playing deeper. Dowell showed some excellent touches, hope he gets a chance to show if he can make it as it would be a shame if he dissapeared without ever really having a sniff.

Thanks mate and yes you are right on Sambou. Every time I've seen him he seems to have done ok like that, quick lad who puts himself about.

 

[toffeejack]

I often wonder if he's bored, and that moving him into the first team would actually kick him into another gear with the increased competition and pressure.

He might be the best footballer we have in terms of pure skill, so I'm right there with you. He and Walsh are head scratchers for me.

That's how I feel, I think he seems to be one of those players who would be better the higher up they play, someone like Kane at spurs who didn't seem like he'd make it, they just chucked him in the first team and never looked back. The thing is, you don't have to be consistent to make it in the prem, you can just have that genius about you and that's what he has.

If you can afford to, you just chuck them in the first team and they'll win you the odd match with the only thing they do. He has premier league quality for sure. You look at Coutinho and he does nothing for 5 games but 1 game he'll score a great goal and that could mean 3 points. Dowell could be just that imo.

 

[johnnydawg68]

I think this is a really good shout with the boredom thing. The initial dropping down from the first team hit him hard in that autumn, though I'm not sure if he's through that. It's funny really in the summer him and Davies were seen as similarly talented lads and you look at their careers now and they are poles apart. It's shows his temporary and fragile young players careers are, especially young players.

He was trying to press yesterday but did give the impression of a lad who was playing within themselves. I have always thought watching him he is a step or two ahead of most players he plays with in his decision making. He has grown a bit which should help with defensive responsibilities, I'd love to see him start with us pre season and get another chance.

I could see someone like Eddie Howe taking a shine to him. I could see him as a #10 or in the position Ross is playing now. But therein lies the problem.

Ironic isn't it? Dowell has the spatial awareness, and seems to know when to pass and when to shoot. All the things Ross gets criticized for.

 

[johnnydawg68]

Just read the article on Sambou and Unsy's comments. Wonder if Sambou would be a loan candidate next year, or if - as a striker - he can progress quickly into the first team.

We've seen with DCL and Lookman, if you've got ability upfront it's go time. You get thrown straight into the first team.

Thoughts?

 

[johnnydawg68]

Article reference above ^^^^

Everton striker Bassala Sambou "like a young Danny Welbeck"


Unsworth coached Welbeck when he joined Preston North End on loan in 2010 and he sees striking similarities with young Blues forward Sambou.

The 19-year-old scored a superb goal at Goodison on Monday night to put Everton’s under-23s back in front against Spurs before strikes from Kieran Dowell and Dominic Calvert-Lewin sealed a 4-1 win.

Everton are now five points clear at the top of the Premier League 2 table with two games remaining and Sambou has also scored in recent wins over Manchester United and Derby County as the title race has intensified.

Unsworth says the teenager – signed from Coventry City last summer – was hampered by injury and illness in the first-half of the season but is now beginning to flourish and is showing the same flashes of quality as an emerging Welbeck did.

Everton are approaching crisis point over Barkley's future
“He’s somebody we watched and liked, we brought him in,” Unsworth said.

“He had a couple of injuries early on, he had his tonsils out believe it or not which set him back, it really floored him that did.

“He just reminds me of Danny when he came on loan from United; very raw, really quick, likes to get in behind, a goalscorer who can score all sorts of goals and he’s a wonderful boy as well, so we have high hopes for him.”

Sambou came off the bench to replace Ademola Lookman on Monday evening and has only managed four starts in league and cup this term.

But Unsworth is excited about his potential.

“He’s an all-action striker and he’s desperate to score goals and he looks the part when he does things like that tonight,” the Everton coach added.

“But that’s not a surprise to us, we’ve seen him do that in training, he scores some great goals but also scores goal-scorers goals, if you know what I mean.

“He just needs time.”

“He’s got fitter and fitter,” Unsworth added.

“Initially, it was a bit too much for him physically, in terms of the tempo but that was something we knew would take time, we knew we weren’t getting the finished article when we get these young players in.

“But we expecting potential and he’s starting to fulfil some of his potential.”