Kennedy praises youth team work

, Liverpool Echo , 20 February, 8comments  |  Jump to most recent
Matthew Kennedy has been talking to the local press after Monday night's success for the Everton youngsters, beating heavily fancied Arsenal in the FA Youth Cup.

“We were saying before the game that we see this as a final — this was going to be one of the hardest games we would have to play if we had hopes of winning the whole thing,” he said.

“All the boys knew about them before the game, but we knew we could do it. They've got a lot of great individuals but we've got a team.

“It's not just the goalscorers that got us the victory — a few of our goals have effectively come from last-ditch tackles in our box. A defender has done that, it's come to another man, he's got it forward and then it's in the back of the net.

“You've got to give credit to the defence because if they don't do that, we don't win. They were unbelievable and everyone else took their chances to get us the goals.

“It was bouncing in the dressing room after the game. Some of the coaches were getting dragged into the showers!”

Quotes or other material sourced from Liverpool Echo



Reader Comments (8)

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Tony Dunn
1 Posted 20/02/2013 at 16:07:57
The young lads played brilliantly on Monday night.I took 3 of my children to Underhill and we were not dissapointed.Everton soaked up the Arsenal pressure in the first half,despite going a goal behind early on,hit back with a header from a free kick a few minutes later.Second half I don't know if it was Sheedy or big Dunc who'd given them a rocket or maybe it was just part of the plan but they hit Arsenal with 3 quick goals that killed the tie off.Arsenal were a good team but the young Blues played very well all over the pitch.The team numbers were all wrong so I didn't get all the players but Kennedy looked superb,I think it was him who exchanged passes on the edge of the box,a Messi-like shimmy past the static Arsenal defence and twatted a shot narrowly wide.The full backs were very attack minded.I was surprised at the size of one of the centre backs but he didn't miss a tackle or lose a challenge,then I noticed he was the captain and it made sense.the keeper was talking all through the game,encouraging,giving orders,always available as an outlet,at times it was like watching Barca the way we didn't want to hoof the ball forward but keep possession to move it to feet as it went forward.
The midfield worked hard against arsenals tika-taka style and broke most things up effectively.The tall striker was all over the front line chasing and annoying their backs and midfield.Earning a snarl off Jack Jebb ? I think,supposedley their next wilshire.
All in all a great team effort on a freezing night.Several of this team COULD feature in the next year or two especially Kennedy.
Phil Walling
2 Posted 20/02/2013 at 18:58:16
Play your cards right, kid, and you might get a game for Brentford, Oldham.... or even Doncaster!
John Crawley
3 Posted 20/02/2013 at 19:19:19
Makes you think Moyes should do what Kendall did in the 80s with Colin Harvey, ie, move Sheedy up to help with first team.
Mark Tanton
4 Posted 20/02/2013 at 19:56:20
He won't be celebrating Moyes when he's stuck at Stockport until he's 25. Another promising young man sent to football gulag.
Brian Murray
5 Posted 20/02/2013 at 20:30:27
What do people think about Kevin Sheedy as first team manager if David Moyes decides to go at the end of the season?
Mark Tanton
6 Posted 20/02/2013 at 21:12:06
Brian we should look outside the club in my opinion. When he goes it'll be an opportunity to clean out the backroom a little. I will miss him, but something appeals to me about seeing someone new in the dugout. I don't, however, trust Kenwright to get the appointment right. I think Kenwright simply got lucky with Moyes and won't repeat such good 'judgement'.
Milos Milenkovic
7 Posted 21/02/2013 at 11:07:46
From what can be seen in these reports, Kennedy is looking really good. His control and passing are first class and also Chris Long is showing some great skill.
Tony J Williams
8 Posted 21/02/2013 at 12:31:34
That's right Mark...it's Moyes' fault no matter what the subject heading....youth player praising Everton....hmmm, it's Moyes's fault etc etc

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