From My Seat: Man City (H)

Final whistle and the rendition of ‘If yer know yer ‘Istory’ was deafening. In that second half the bear pit was back at Goodison

Ken Buckley 15/01/2017 61comments  |  Jump to last
Everton 4 - 0 Manchester City
Alarms set early for a Sky bonanza featuring Liverpool v Manchester with Everton hosting Man City and being the early k.o. The lengths broadcasters will go to hype up the viewing figures without ever stopping to think how it might inconvenience fans always gets to me. It doesn’t affect me to any degree but those long distance fans I feel for. It was a dull dank day with drizzle and showers as we convened and as there is no good or bad time for a pint it was ordered and juniors were dispatched to Makie D’s for breakfast fayre.

Not many had much hope for us after witnessing that cup exit but with the delivery of the teams and the sight of our two new men on the bench spirits were raised. The walk up was quiet mainly due to January weather but the fan zone and all the eateries were well populated.

The teams entered the arena and captain Gareth Barry and today’s mascot Bradley Lowery the little Sunderland fan who is terminally ill was carried on by Romeu Lukaku. Everton had helped to get treatment. He carried out his duties well and a message of thanks from his parents was put up on the big screen and got a grand round of applause. He then scampered off to join in a kick about with some other youngsters and it was heart-warming to see him so full of it and lively. Everton do this stuff so well.


The game started on the whistle of today’s ref Mr Clattenberg who is not unknown to us. The first actions were mainly City pressing forward with Everton looking not to give them an edge. Right away you could see that words had been said over the week as we were quick into the tackle and looking to break at speed when we could. Our first scare came when from a City clearance Aguero was found out left and he sent a good pass for De Bruyne to head for the dead ball line and cross for the speedy Sterling to find himself unmarked in centre of the goal. Breath was held as the worst was feared but as he took a touch Robles slid out and blocked just as Baines slid in from the other side and between the two of them the threat was no more plus no interference from the ref much to City’s chagrin. Du Bruyne found Sterling down the left and the ex-red found Silva free in the six yard box with just Joel to beat, we feared the worst but Joel was out fast and blocked Silva’s effort but the ball squirmed loose and before Silva could get a shot the defence were back and Williams got a good clearing hoof to it. It was noticeable we were operating at a much quicker pace this week and our pressing of the man on the ball was admirable to the extent that City were now less of a threat whilst we were more of a threat.

Everton were ever ready to press forward as they moved the ball with pace and with some 15mins to the break Tom Davies picked up the ball on half way and strode forth and released a peach of a pass to Mirallas who took it on at pace down the right, looked up and fed a perfect cross to Rom’s feet and the big Belgian hit a left footer that left the keeper flat footed and the net bulging to the sound of a Goodison Roar. We were in front and deserved it as we had weathered their early threat and had now hit back.

We had one more scare before the break when from a City cross Davies did a defensive header that only found Sterling just outside the area and his shot although powerful was a tad too high. That man Davies was to the fore again when he headed a looping header off our line, some record that made one and saved one in short order.

H/T 1-0

Many said the same thing in that a second goal to us would be handy as we were sure Pep would have given them a Pep talk.

The second half started and within a minute, to our astonishment and glee we doubled our lead when the ball bounced of Rom and went loose but Barry was quick to go in hard and win it and prod it forward to Ross who ran at their defence and had them backing away before feeding Mirallas who took it to the right of the keeper before firing it back across him and into the street onion bag. Cue mayhem. Then a loud – very loud chant of ‘Who are yer’ ‘Who are yer’ directed at the once rowdy away end.

We now settled into a Koeman trade mark tactic by playing deep but breaking with pace when we could and the shift put in by all the players in really pushing themselves bodes well for the future. Imagine that with consistency and a large dose of the camaraderie shown today. City were no longer getting behind us and although they had the lion’s share of the ball it was all played out in front of us which is always a good sign that with no lapses in concentration the goal will stay intact and that is how the half went on. We did have a couple of raids that had them scurrying. On the hour Pep sacrificed Zabaleta in favour of Ieanacho to try to get more threat in his teams attack, it didn’t work,

We were looking decent now and the atmosphere a bit more relaxed so much so that the manager decided to give Schneiderlin his debut in place of Mirallas. Both players got good applause as they crossed.80 mins arrived and Tom Davies still full of running raced with the ball from his own half and on nearing the area played a ball into Rom who miscued it to Barkley who saw Davies who had fallen over get up again and feed him in. he took the ball up to the keeper and then with a cheeky dink left keeper grounded and ball netted. His first Everton first team goal and boy did we all celebrate with everyone’s man of the match.

All the songs and chants now. Stonesy, Stonesy what’s the score was well belted out. That was game over and probably Man City’s title hopes. Four mins of added time and the manager felt easy enough to give our latest ‘one for the future’ his debut. Our young man Lookman looked as though he had just left school but boy what a debut as Stones fired a clearance that hit Coleman and the ball bounced loose in the box and Lookman pounced, controlled it and then slammed it between keeper’s legs and home. A boy’s entrance to the game and a man’s finish to the game. He looks a Gud UN that one.

Final whistle and the rendition of ‘If yer know yer ‘Istory’ was deafening. In that second half the bear pit was back at Goodison.

MotM – Tom Davies

On the walk back someone said it was raining – I never noticed I wondered today whilst watching if this was the style Koeman is seeking. It looked to me like you need some very fit and fast players to chivvy and harry all game and if we can keep the clinical finishing going who knows where it could take us. Although Davies was MotM today I wonder where he will stand in the pecking order when Schneiderlin is match fit and Gana is back from ACN? Still a nice problem to have for the manager I reckon.

Looking at our fixture list if we can put games together like today then seventh should be ours or even better if anyone above us collapses. So still something to play for. See you soon.

UP THE BLUES

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Reader Comments (61)

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Andy McNabb
1 Posted 16/01/2017 at 03:22:42
Thanks Ken. Have to confess, my wife nudged me in bed at 6am and said, "4-0". I immediately groaned – the score line was worse than I had feared. Then my phone started pinging!
Jarrod Prosser
2 Posted 16/01/2017 at 03:31:52
'Mr Clattenberg who is not unknown to us...'

That is a brilliant piece of pithy-ness! Great work, Ken.

Bob Butchard
3 Posted 16/01/2017 at 04:26:02
From reader comments in the past, I get the impression that Romelu doesn't work hard enough for some fans and he can look pedestrian at times when there is no support, when a long ball is sent forward.

His overall showing v City was magnificent I thought, full of hard work and putting it about for the team. Took his goal superbly.

It was great to see so many smiles on the pitch, this is one game to hang our season on because there is real belief from go to whoa! COYB.

David Ellis
4 Posted 16/01/2017 at 04:30:06
Davies and Lookman goals – that was Roy of the Rovers stuff! I could not believe my eyes!!!

Hope they bottle that team spirit – it's what the mid-80s team had in spades.

Peter Creer
5 Posted 16/01/2017 at 04:31:15
From My Seat here in Canada, the game was the best two hours of football our team has played for a long while. I have to agree with you, Ken, that if this is the way Koeman wants us to play then we will need legs – today we had them.

Davies was incredible and is definitely going to get time while Gana is away, however, I could see him bombing down the wing (as he did today) when Gana returns and Schneiderlin is playing regularly.

Today seemed to be a pivotal moment when the future took the front seat and showed that we are heading in the right direction and Koeman's plan can work!

Thanks for a great report as usual. I get to see every game live on the telly, but it is always great to read about the walk- up to the ground and the atmosphere that you so eloquently describe.

COYB

Philip Yensen
6 Posted 16/01/2017 at 04:31:25
All we need now is not to mess around with selection. same starting 11 and same mantra.

Why oh why can't we play like this more often? The fire in their bellies should never disappear even if we are playing badly. Great performance, slick football, tenacious tackling, quality goals. When this happens, Goodison Park is the best place on the planet, the old lady rocks.

Feet on the ground time; We still played some sloppy casual passes, I'd like to see some little dinks over defenders instead of the on the ground slide-rule passes that keep getting intercepted. More of the same, Blue Boys.

Alan J Thompson
7 Posted 16/01/2017 at 04:43:13
City, as did West Ham earlier this season, gave Barkley far too much space and, with Davies on the same wavelength, they paid for it.

If as you suggest, Ken, Koeman is responsible for the improvement from the previous game at what passes for Maine Road these days, then more power to his elbow. Oh, and the kids.

Bob Parrington
8 Posted 16/01/2017 at 06:23:47
Great report as usual, Ken. Thanks. Early on, we looked a little week in our left sided defence when several passes were completed with City players in oodles of space. Still, we rode out this period and tightened up. The rest was a spectacle of effective football by Everton and every player put-in strongly.

Davies deserved MotM with a very mature performance. I also thought Robles had a good game too.

Kieran Fitzgerald
9 Posted 16/01/2017 at 07:04:45
You used the word 'consistency', Ken and I would repeat it. This was an excellent team performance but we need to see it again next Saturday against Palace.

I am savouring the result from yesterday, honest. But I just want to see a couple of decent performances in a row before I start dreaming again.

Ian Hollingworth
10 Posted 16/01/2017 at 08:22:04
Amazing match, amazing result.

Stones – best game for Everton.

James Morgan
11 Posted 16/01/2017 at 08:25:30
We have to perform the same against Palace on the weekend, they are awful and we need to exploit that. It seems Koeman is looking for high energy and work rate in the middle especially, Gana, Davies, Schneiderlin and McCarthy all work horses.

Barry has to use his nous and experience which has served him well. Is it me, or does Barkley seem a lot fitter as well?

David Watson
12 Posted 16/01/2017 at 08:49:28
I enjoyed your assessment.
Denis Richardson
13 Posted 16/01/2017 at 08:55:42
Cheers for the report, Ken. What a result.

So many fans were calling for Koeman to be sacked not too long ago, seems a bit of a joke after yesterday.

Amazing what effect a couple of new faces in and old faces out can have on a club. With the likes of Holgate, Davies and now Lookman, Koeman has also brought the average age down some and added much needed energy and enthusiasm.

Just imagine when Gana is back and Schneiderlin match fit! Proper midfield shaping up. Can see Barry slowly stepping down over the next month or two, after Gana is back. Also no need for McCarthy really so £15-20M in the bank for him would do nicely.

Dennis Stevens
14 Posted 16/01/2017 at 09:10:14
This performance & result will be a huge boost for Koeman. Finally, the players seem to be committing to what he wants & as a result, I'm sure he'll be quick to point out to them, they get the reward their effort & skill deserve. Onward & upward, consistency is now the key.
Paul Mackie
15 Posted 16/01/2017 at 09:21:38
James (#11) – They might all be workhorses, but 3 out of those 4 all have an eye for a defence-splitting pass. McCarthy is the odd one out for me.
Chris Williams
16 Posted 16/01/2017 at 09:22:11
That was a bit special. Mirallas and Barkley both really put a shift in yesterday and it was great to see. Barkley played the best he has for weeks. He looked more comfortable in that set up and to me he looks to have lost some bulk.
Robert Workman
17 Posted 16/01/2017 at 09:54:32
It seems that Gana going to the African Cup, seen by many of us as a negative, may in fact turn out to be a positive. It has enabled Davies to be given a run in the team to show what he can produce week after week. He is certainly taking his opportunity.

Then, when Gana returns, Koeman will have great midfield choices – with Davies certainly featuring as an attacking, not just a defensive, option.

James Morgan
18 Posted 16/01/2017 at 10:04:24
Paul, I agree with that but he's a decent player to have in the squad as back-up to the rest. There's plenty of other teams below us who would have him in their starting eleven so I could understand if he wanted to leave and play, week-in & week-out.
Brent Stephens
19 Posted 16/01/2017 at 10:38:07
" Mr Clattenberg who is not unknown to us". Lovely.

Ken Buckley - a wordsmith much loved in this parish.

Terry Murray
20 Posted 16/01/2017 at 10:39:41
I will be in Barbados for the Crystal Palace game next Saturday. Any Blues fans there? Anyone know how I can watch the game on TV?
David Ellis
21 Posted 16/01/2017 at 11:03:08
I think we need four long-term first choice quality centre-mids. At the moment we have –Barry, Gana, Schneiderlin, Davies, Besic, McCarthy and Gibson makes 7.

Gana, Schneiderlin and Davies are keepers. Barry is fine for now but the end will suddenly come. Gibson... the end has come (shame because he was a good player). So that means we keep either Besic of McCarthy or replace one of them and let them both go.

We also still have Liam Walsh in the U23s who could yet break into the side alongside his old mucker Davies (and was higher rated than Davies a couple of years ago).

Personally I think both Besic and McCarthy will likely leave – McCarthy over the summer... Besic may hang on another year as we can't move him on until he gets back from his awful injury. Hopefully by then Walsh is looking the part and if not then I can see us going back to the transfer market.

Danny Broderick
22 Posted 16/01/2017 at 11:14:33
I thought Robles had one of his best games for us. Barkley also looks to be fitter, in my opinion. He's definitely more mobile, and I will always excuse a few loose passes from a player working his socks off.

I think the last week has shown that Koeman is the boss. Even Mirallas worked his socks off yesterday, and Lukaku was closing Stones down better than previously.

I'm sure there will be more ups and downs between now and the end of the season, because we are not the finished article by any stretch. But it seems after yesterday that we are all finally pulling in the same direction – fans, manager and players – and that is absolutely what we need.

Terry Underwood
24 Posted 16/01/2017 at 11:40:58
I think that with Holgate and Davies in the side, a weight has been lifted off Barkley's shoulders. He is no longer the young up and comer with all eyes on him, he is free to play his own game and yesterday it seemed to show. Long may it continue.

COYMB

Jamie Barlow
25 Posted 16/01/2017 at 12:05:14
My thoughts exactly, Terry. Barkley seems to take more responsibility when Davies plays and it shows in his own performance.

Lukaku seems to have also taken Lookman under his wing too. Let's hope they both keep setting good examples for the even younger lads.

Brian Furey
26 Posted 16/01/2017 at 12:13:34
If there's one thing you can say about supporting Everton is that it's rarely boring and often unpredictable.

Two months ago we had lost 5-0 to Chelsea, drew at home to Swansea and lost 1-0 away to Southampton. Many of us looked at the fixtures for December and thought possible defeats at home to Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool and away defeat to Leicester with maybe a win over Watford and Hull.

Then after we beat Leicester away we probably thought we would beat them at home in the FA cup as well but wrong again and now we've hammered Man City 4-0 at home.

Also, who would have expected Koeman to dropped Jags & Barry so much and brought in so many young lads as he has of late. It's just disappointing that we are no longer in any cups as it would have given us something to look forward to.

As it is I really can't see us catching Man Utd or whoever is in 6th place but hopefully the teams who win the two cups finish in the top 6 so 7th place will be enough to get us into the Europa League qualifying round, like West Ham last season.

Barry Pearce
27 Posted 16/01/2017 at 12:34:58
Great report, Ken. I bet this was one more of pleasure than pain to write.

Just makes you feel so happy to be a Blue.

Scott Hall
28 Posted 16/01/2017 at 12:52:56
Terry Andy Wheeler I think you are spot on there. Barkley was able to go about his business quietly and with maximum impact thanks to the focus being on other young players. Two killer passes from the Number 10 position, and two goals. That's all he needs to do.

I thought Mirallas was outstanding and a superb finish for the second, and after a bit of criticism both Funes Mori and Williams managed a very skillful, pacey and clinical throng of attacking players very well indeed.

Great stuff!

John Raftery
29 Posted 16/01/2017 at 13:44:26
Yesterday was a great day with a great performance and a terrific result. We generally look better against the better teams. We generally look poor against the poorer teams especially those which sit deep.

If Koeman can get them playing positively with quick passing, players running at defenders, getting early ball and players into the box while staying compact when we need to defend, there is no reason why we cannot start beating the likes of Palace and Stoke.

If however we revert to safe, slow and sideways passing in front of the opposition, our results will probably be as disappointing as they were in the autumn. With Davies, Holgate and Lookman now in the squad, surely we have the energy and ambition not to let that happen.

Paul Birmingham
30 Posted 16/01/2017 at 14:00:16
Great victory, but now for Palace, and which Everton team will turn up? Here's to hoping for the same commitment, focus and intensity, and a good result.
Dave Abrahams
31 Posted 16/01/2017 at 14:11:42
Brian (#26) – you don't think we can overhaul Man Utd, well they are on a long unbeaten run which should be making them more comfortable and confidant than they actually look.

I know it was only one game yesterday, but if and it is a big if, Everton can carry on playing with the energy and movement of the game they played against City then we can certainly catch them.

Anyway it was great to see Goodison Park rocking, rolling, cheering and singing Everton to a great performance and victory yesterday.

I bet you typed out your report, Ken, with a huge grin on your face; I had one on mine reading it.

Brent Stephens
32 Posted 16/01/2017 at 14:15:13
At times like this, reading the various reports and comments on TW is as good as the match. My ratings this weekend:

Michael Kenwright - 9
Lyndon Lloyd - 9
Ken Buckley - 9
Paul Traill - 9

Just watched the Davies goal for the 1,000th time. On the edge of my seat anxiously willing it to go in.

Christopher Timmins
33 Posted 16/01/2017 at 14:28:22
Glad to read that all contributors are in a better mood this week and are not looking for the manager's head, a week is a long time in the world of a ToffeeWeb contributor.

A great result yesterday and what a joy to see one of the local lads making an impact. Hopefully by the end of the season, another member of under-age brigade will make a breakthrough into the first team.

It should be interesting to see who occupies the midfield slots at Palace next weekend!

Let's keep the top six honest for the rest of the season and put a major gap between ourselves and the 8th placed team.

Philip Yensen
34 Posted 16/01/2017 at 14:49:44
Just a small piece on a player who never put a foot wrong and always put a foot in, old man of the team with a teenager's heart... Gareth Barry.

Outstanding game, and with all the hullabaloo about the youngster (and rightly so), his experience shone.

One more point – did you see the state of Bainsey's legs? I've never seen him moan or cut out of a challenge.

John G Davies
35 Posted 16/01/2017 at 14:51:07
The season is only over if you are a "glass half-empty" type of person. For those of us who went to Wolfsburg, Lille, Berne, Brann, Bergen, Nuremburg etc, the season is very much still alive. 7th will get us a few more drunken nights out around Europe.

This team, along with more signings this window and summer window, has got the potential to challenge top 6 next season. Koeman will get it right.

Steven Sturm
36 Posted 16/01/2017 at 15:59:43
Excellent report as always, Ken. Very much appreciated by those of us who are many miles from Goodison. Bit of a gap between us and the 6 ahead, but here's hoping the team continue with today's attitude. Opportunity beckons with the upcoming run of games.
Peter Mills
37 Posted 16/01/2017 at 16:17:00
The highest praise I can give Tom Davies for his goal is that it had a touch of Alan Ball in his determination and deftness of finish, and a dose of Colin Harvey when he slalomed between the two City players.

For me it was probably the finest moment at Goodison since Wayne Rooney's goal against Arsenal.

Tony Abrahams
38 Posted 16/01/2017 at 16:25:37
Good point John G, it can be a hard life sometimes being a Toffee, but life's way too short when you think about some of the laughs you have had along the way, watching Everton in some far-away places!

Michael Kenrick
39 Posted 16/01/2017 at 16:28:48
Damn you, Stephens (#32)! My secret is out.

I am the luvvie's spawn incarnate.

Eddie Dunn
40 Posted 16/01/2017 at 16:33:08
Another super report, Ken. I love the Clattenburg comment!

I will go as far as to say that Gueye's last few games have seen him drop-off his early-season form. perhaps his imminent mission for his nation was on his mind, or else he was a bit frazzled from his workload.

However, I think that, as long as Davies is strong enough, I would have him on the teamsheet before anyone else at the moment. Quite a compliment for one so young.

John G Davies
41 Posted 16/01/2017 at 16:34:52
Tony, I would not swap a minute of it. We can do it in more comfort nowadays.

Not like back in the early eighties on pre-season tours. Bunking trains all over Europe was the order of the day. Some great times.

Tony Abrahams
42 Posted 16/01/2017 at 16:41:47
More comfort and a whole lot quicker John, but it must have been a lot funnier, doing things the hard way!

Michael, I like to think I've got thick skin, but hats off to yer there mate, the way you have just took that off Brent!

Jay Harris
43 Posted 16/01/2017 at 16:43:43
Thanks for another great report, Ken.

I would like to mention the 3-5-2 formation which seems to suit Seamus and Bainesy who I thought both had a brilliant game. It gives us defensive solidity and a much greater attacking threat. To see Bainsey throwing challenges in in their half was a joy to watch.

A special mention for Ross too who threw a few sliding tackles in and was chasing down much more than usual. So much for the naysayers who said Koeman is destroying and demotivating players.

Tony Abrahams
44 Posted 16/01/2017 at 16:44:12
At least he gave you a nine though, Michael, because I reckon you would have only got a seven off Paul T!
Peter Mills
45 Posted 16/01/2017 at 16:44:51
Now come on Michael, no editing Brent's post please!
Brent Stephens
46 Posted 16/01/2017 at 18:15:13
Michael (#39) – haha! I've just spotted the unintended (HONEST!) error. How embarrassing. For me and you!

My sincere apologies, Bill. Michael!! Michael!!

Bill Gall
47 Posted 16/01/2017 at 19:16:32
Another great article that gives us overseas TV viewers a bit of the before atmosphere of a live game at Goodison, with a good interpretation of the actual game.

All players and staff need a sincere thank you, for the effort during the week prior to the game, plus the game itself, for knuckling down after the previous weeks collapse with no response, to provide such a good performance. .

The two things that stood out for me that makes me proud to be a supporter (from 1953) was Lukaku carrying the young Sunderland boy out as mascot, and the same player going to the touchline to give encouragement to the young player Lookman before he got on.

These are just small instances that other people may not notice, but to me it shows what makes Everton that much better than other clubs.

Thomas James
48 Posted 16/01/2017 at 20:00:43
Davies was great, he grew as the game came to us. He's a great player good eye on the ball. Barkley was ok, no champagne tricks and more passes meeting destination.

That said we were not good at all before the goal... The game could have been lost before super kev got on the end of Davies through ball to pull it back to Lukaku.

I'm pleased we won, but improvement is needed. We played like an early Moyes team with linderoth and carsley.

Eric Paul
49 Posted 16/01/2017 at 20:01:39
29% posession 10000000000000% togetherness
Buff said
John Daley
50 Posted 16/01/2017 at 20:31:20
"I'm pleased we won, but improvement is needed. We played like an early Moyes team with Linderoth and Carsley."

Link

Tony Hill
51 Posted 16/01/2017 at 20:42:27
Yes, I think so, Peter (#37). 14 years on. He just looks like a proper footballer, Davies, like Rooney there's a street edge to him – even though he's been in the academy since he was 10 and has presumably been carefully nurtured.

May he take the right route, be well advised and (above all) be lucky with injury.

Lookman, too, a very self-possessed young man, no false modesty, and to take that goal required nerve.

Mick Davies
52 Posted 16/01/2017 at 20:48:36
Denis Richardson,

So many fans were calling for Koeman to be sacked not too long ago, seems a bit of a joke after yesterday.

Is that necessary?

David Barks
53 Posted 16/01/2017 at 20:54:07
There was not a massive call for Koeman to be sacked, there was an abundance of criticism. Those of us being critical of being knocked out of both cups at the first stage after reaching the semis last season were told that the squad is garbage.

That same squad beat City 4-0. So which is it? How could a squad that is so terrible that we should not be expecting them to beat Norwich is able to be celebrated for beating City?

Maybe, just maybe, those of us saying that Koeman should have been getting more out of these players were right?

Andy Walker
54 Posted 16/01/2017 at 21:50:33
David (#53), stating that Koeman should be getting more out of the players after Norwich is fair enough, but it's only half the story isn't it? I'm sure you'll agree it takes TIME to influence players and retrain (mentally) them.

Just look at Barkley –it seems obvious to me we are seeing a different Barkley now to what we were a couple of months back, he's much more aggressive now, tackling and closing down.

So it takes time for the players to adapt and change their style. We are beginning to see the impact of Koeman's management, but it's just the beginning. Too many fans were way to quick to judge Koeman, he isn't a miracle worker, and they simply ignored the reality that he can't change things in a few months.

So I think it's unrealistic to expect Koeman to have come in and within just a few weeks suddenly transformed the current players, Barkley being the prime example for me. Judge him in a year's time is my thinking.

David Price
55 Posted 16/01/2017 at 21:51:08
I reckon Koeman will promote Unsworth to his assistant manager in the summer.

More talent to come from our batch of youngsters. David the ideal link for their next step.

Next season will be a defining time for our club.

Patrick Murphy
56 Posted 16/01/2017 at 22:03:47
David (#55),

If you are correct about Unsworth being promoted to first team duties, it would leave a large hole in the development of the youngsters which has been very successful, so far, in helping those youngsters be ready for the first team when they have been chosen.

David Unsworth, believes that his young side may have six or seven or even eight players who are capable of forging a career at Everton. That's an unbelievable claim, but who are we to argue with his assessment. His young charges won another match earlier tonight and now lead the league by four points. If Unsworth is correct and we do have that calibre of players in the junior side and the money to buy in talent, the future could be very bright for the club – let's hope so anyway.

U23s Win

A link to his interview on Talksport earlier today.

Unsy

Dave Abrahams
57 Posted 16/01/2017 at 23:55:59
David (#55),

What makes you think David Unsworth will be promoted?

Dave Abrahams
58 Posted 17/01/2017 at 00:13:29
Patrick (#56),

I hope David Unsworth is correct with his assessment of the talent coming through the ranks at Everton, I'd slow down a bit if I was him, or maybe he has been misquoted.

If he is right, Everton's future will be better than The Busby Babes of the fifties or Fergies Fledglings of the nineties, so we are all in for a terrific few years in the near future.

James Marshall
59 Posted 17/01/2017 at 14:45:11
A few people mentioning Barkley having more freedom due to Davies playing and the spotlight being on the teenager, but there's more to it than that – Ross has more freedom in this system due to the knowledge there's a midfield 4 behind him.

He has less defensive work to do safe in the knowledge the back 3 (instead of 4) are covered by a midfield 4. Yes, Davies does a lot of his leg-work, but it's the system that free's Ross to do more attacking, and less defending rather than Davies per se.

David Price
60 Posted 17/01/2017 at 16:12:10
Sorry Dave (#57), it was Just a guess with no inside information. Thinking big picture, Sheedy steps up to Unsworth's position. Keeps the line going.

Hopefully better than when Harvey stepped up Darracott and Lyons after Howard left in '87!

Dave Abrahams
61 Posted 17/01/2017 at 16:43:27
David (#60), fair enough... just thought you might have heard from some one in the know.,
Adam Buckley
62 Posted 17/01/2017 at 21:08:10
Terry @ No 20 –The Boatyard is where I'd head, you do have to pay $5/10 but well worth it. If it's on at all, you'll get it here.

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