I didn't see the match yesterday and it seems clear he struggled somewhat. It's a big opportunity missed by him. I wonder if Silva pulling him at half time was meant as a bit of a kick up the backside for him really?
Tom's a difficult one as different things can be true at the same time. The first is, given his age and experience he is well ahead of the majority of his contemporaries. This is still the case. They all rave about the at Bournemouth (who's a year older) yet I'm not sure I see any better player than Davies in there. However, compared to his peers Tom does appear to be flatlining a little bit and if he doesn't keep improving people will catch him up and overtake him.
He's had (for me) better games this season. I actually think it may be his most effective and consistent season. He's getting on the ball more, using it better, and breaking play up more often. These are all key core skills for the role he has been given. A lot of the magic has gone from his game though, which he had in his first year in English football. I think a big part of that is confidence though. That being said we do have to trial the idea that his first season may have been the anomaly as opposed to whats followed?
While all of the above is positive, there are many difficulties. While I don't believe he is flatlining I don't think he is kicking on at the speed people would want. Part of that is an issue of people's perceptions, particularly Evertonian's that are not realistic with young players. However even if they were, I sense he would be falling short of the improvement needed. A bit like Ross, there is a limit on the time that will be afforded him (and indeed Jack Rodwell before him).
The concern I'd have of him, is that as a young player, he was not markedly better than Liam Walsh, Ledson, Connolly or Joe Williams. All of those lads are earning a decent living from the game in the championship and I'd bet all at some point will play in the PL, but towards the bottom rungs of it. However we aspire to be a top 6 team and none of them are at that level, or in all likelihood ever will be. The progression of the club has also likely accelerated beyond where Tom was at. He made his debut around the time Moshiri took over, so there is a certain synergy to this.
He was more physically developed than most and got off to a flyer, with confidence high. When the confidence has fallen and he's regressed to his normal level, and potentially other players have caught him physically there is more than a chance that we are now seeing a lad in and about the level of the 4 lads mentioned above. A very decent pro, will make a fortune out of the game, but perhaps not quite the very elite level?
I'm not sure on him. This season there have been improvements, but performances like Saturday will really hurt. There comes a point with any young player where it is not attitude thats the problem but ability. I don't believe he's not trying, or doesn't want to make it, but it may be he's just not quite capable?
I don't know. We will see. He will likely have another 18 months to make the right impression, but time is certainly running out.