Everton beat Stevenage in FA Youth Cup

Meanwhile, Oviedo, who is already a first-team player with much less to prove, was giving it 100% and seemed to be everywhere on the pitch. That is the difference between a player who makes it as a professional and someone who won’t unless he bucks his ideas up.

Ian (3), it’s ludicrous to say Dowell ’was shite’ against Sunderland – he had moments when he showed glimpses of genuine talent. But you are right to suggest he would do well to emulate the attitude and effort of Oviedo.

Surely, though, that is one reason, other than gaining match fitness, for a full international like Bryan to play with the youngsters. Then it’s down to the likes of Unsworth to make clear to the young players what they need to do.

I was furious with him at half-time because there were a few hundred people at the game who would have loved to have been in his shoes while he was just letting a brilliant opportunity slip through his fingers. There is no excuse for lack of effort, it’s the bare minimum you should expect from anyone wearing the Everton shirt, no matter what level.

Don’t get confused, though – I am not saying he is a shite player, I am saying he had a shite game, but what I said is what I saw and I am entitled to my opinion.

I have seen players like him in the past in the form of Jose Baxter and John Paul Kissock who didn’t live up to the hype. If the attitude and effort isn’t there, then they will not fulfill their potential and that natural talent will be wasted and Everton and himself will have lost out.

Sometimes a young player needs a kick up the backside and needs to take notice of professionals like Oviedo who give it their all everytime they step onto the pitch, even if they are having a shite game.

Anyway, as I said earlier, it’s up to Unsworth and the other coaches to point out the effort put into the game by an Oviedo or whichever experienced pro they play with, and ensure that Dowell and the other youngsters, and in that U21 team he was the most inexperienced, understand that it’s that kind of effort, both physical and mental, on and off the pitch, that they will have to put in all the time if they want to fulfil their potential.

I understand what you are saying, I just hope the young players get a decent chance to show what they can do.

I do not think Jose Baxter got a real chance at Everton, there was certainly no lack of effort while he was there, certainly much more than the Russian winger who just strolled around the field doing next to nothing. Baxter was also asked to take a 50% pay cut to stay on at Everton which he refused. He has worked his way back into the game and still has a fair chance of making a go at the top level.

It’s not always about talent, luck plays a big part in how you get on in the game.

I guess I can see your point with Baxter to some extent — just TWO starts in four seasons as a fringe first-teamer isn’t that much of a chance (12 sub apps too).

Then again, if he was really as good as he thought he was, you could argue he would have made a much bigger impression in those opportunities he was given. We all know only too well that he didn’t.

Interesting about the pay cut... 50% chop to stay on with his boyhood club!! That does seem harsh, and would explain why he didn’t sign that two-year contract. As a matter of interest, for the record, where are you getting this from? – as I don’t recall anything being made public about the pay cut at the time. I ask because these things tend to be glommed onto as fact, so it would help to know if this was real or just a rumour doing the rounds.

Thanks!

Others were shite as well in that game but they are not the ones being praised for a shite performance, unlike Dowell.

Dave, perhaps Baxter’s attitude and effort was more than what Dowell displayed against Sunderland but perhaps Baxter’s problem was his attitude off the field. I seem to remember reading about him mixing with some dodgy characters where drugs were involved.

I noticed, too, that Roberto, rather than play him on the right wing where he was totally ineffective in the 1st half against Sunderland, put him in the centre where he was more at home and certainly did contribute to the Blues attacking improvement in the 2nd half of the U21 game.

So, while I agree with you that he’s a long way to go if he wants to make it as a pro, I still think your comment is OTT for someone playing only their 2nd or 3rd game for the U21s.

Incidentally, to put that game into context, I see Sunderland’s next match saw them win 4-2 at Man City.

I got the story off people close to him who I believe. You seem to be a bit sarcastic over Baxter refusing to sign a new contract, would you carry on working for your firm on half your present salary?

The main reason he didn’t sign was because he was ambitious and knew he would be sitting on the bench for most of that time. I think he knew where he stood with Mr Moyes!!!!!!!!!

At least it fits the facts — given that he was widely expected to continue trying to break through... yet surprisingly refused to sign the deal at the end of 2011-12 and became a free-agent — in addition to my personal perceptions about the miserable miserly Scottish Presbyterian godbotherer who was in charge at time!

Putting myself in Jose’s shoes for a minute, if the bastard’s offer was half-pay to sit at the feet of the Moyesiah for a another two years... it’s a no-brainer!