Loan stars from Everton's Academy earning rave reviews

No-one though has yet proved themselves consistently at a high performing Championship club which is what Coleman did before making the step up to first team regular for us.

These kids have some ability (Walsh in particular) but chances are more will end up at other clubs than with the toffees. Whilst good runs with league one and two clubs bode well there's a long way to go yet and I will get more excited when I see one of our academy getting rave reviews from the likes of Derby, Middlesbrough, Burnley, QPR, Brentford.

Talking of which has anyone heard much about Garbutt at Fulham? Hoped he would be setting the Championship alight but think he's had some injury problems.

From what I've read and seen, Walsh is the most talented, but he's small and may struggle unless he fills out. Grant has a good football brain and a cracking shot. Ledson has talent, but his time with us and at Doncaster indicates some inconsistency.

The fact that our Under-21s have been doing so well without these three is a testament to the talent at this level. However, the track record at Everton and elsewhere suggests scepticism about whether any of the three or others will be given a chance at senior level.

Something needs to be done and improved at the U21 level it is just not working and young lads are just mostly stagnating at this level.

Liam has got talent with a capital T; I wish Barkley would tackle, hustle and bustle one tenth of the way this kid does.

I do t know if size is much of an issue these days. There is so much protection and from what we hear Walsh does not stand back for anyone.

Though several of them are very young I would expect next season to see some of them getting some time in the first team squad plus some game time. Especially given Roberto's optimism regarding their abilities and work done with the Academies during his tenure. If this is not the case then he will have failed on the development side of things in additional to his struggles with the first team.

What do others think, am I expecting too much too soon from these lads?

Tony. Joe Williams is a favourite of the regular U21 watchers.

These kids will need a lot more loan time. Harry Kane had seven spells away from Spurs where he didn't really show much. Lucky for Tottenham I suppose. Nobody wanted to buy him but the England U21s stuck with him and he got his PL chance when others were injured or out of form.

Quick thinkers, Kenny and Walsh, have always had that extra something and are still growing into their frames. Grant has always had class and a deadly accurate left foot and is now learning to win the ball instead of waiting for it. Tough boy Ledson is rated behind Kenny and Connolly for the England U19s but will hopefully continue to progress.

Liam Walsh looks the real deal, surely if or when we have some dead rubber ties later in the season (once we're not dragged into a relegation battle); it would be a good time to blood this guy.

Since the formation of the Premier League, all that has changed, and the old Central League is now known as The Final Third Development League. Ridiculous name eh? Anyway, the Final Third etc etc is nowadays restricted to Football League clubs and the so called Premier Reserve League is where our U21s appear.

Sadly, the same applies to the other Premier League clubs so the league is not as strong as it could be because you can only play a limited number of over-21s in your Under-21 side.

Years ago, I recall watching Central League games where many big-name players who, for whatever reason, were not in the first team, could be seen at reduced prices and the standard of play was damn good. If the old Central League format still existed and ran concurrently with an U21 league, there would be far greater opportunities for younger players to first step up into the Reserves and perhaps eventually the first team. It would make interminable loans less necessary and give players experience against potential top-drawer players.

Grant I was always a bit sceptical about as he seemed to lack that fire. Seems like he is turning it around at Doncaster and taking control of the game more than waiting to get involved as he seemed to do with our U21s. Long may it continue.

I am certain nothing pleases the fans more than getting a batch of youngsters through to the first team. At the moment the academy is awash with talent but for every Frank Lampard there is a Jody Morris (to pick on Chelsea). Experience would indicate that only the most committed will make it but I hope, even if they leave us, every kid goes on to have a successful career playing the beautiful game.

I think Walsh could be in the 1st team squad next season. He's that good..

Walsh, although slight was a class act and could find space to pass and move in a cupboard.

Ledson wasn't there as he was in Asia with the first team squad. He is a battler but could be surpassed by other midfielders.

As well as Walsh and Grant, Williams and Davies are getting rave reviews The latter captaining England at his age group and being invited to train with the Senior England squad. He also looked a really good player in Dublin and is a 17-year-old man rather than a boy.

Of the forwards, I personally don't rate McAleny at Premier League level and Henen was extremely cowardly in the game I saw him play, which really put me off the lad. He doesn't seem a trier and I think will also fall short.

Kieran Dowell seems like a more likely success as a wide man although he will probably find it difficult at Premier League level too.

I agree with many of the people on here that Brewster could be the shining light as a striker. Don't think Byrne, Duffus or Dyson will cut it and I know little of Rodriguez but time is against him.

Then we have our multitude of defenders. I'm going to be hung for this but I don't see Garbutt, Pennington or Browning playing over 50 games for Everton. There are better and younger players in their potential positions such as Holgate, Kenny, Connolly converting to left-back from midfield lately and of course Galloway. At 16-17 years old there is also great hope for Broadhead and this kid Foulds and another lad called Conor Feeney (played the Under-21 Merseyside Derby a few weeks ago at centre-half and he's 16!).

Many of these are going to fall short but some other late bloomers might show their abilities in the mean time too. I think we can be hopeful of having three or four make it at our club and we should be patient on them reaching Premier League level. Many won't break through until 21-22 in today's footballing environment. Loans will be their way to develop.

Sorry for the long winded "report". Just giving my overall assessment of what I saw live and what I have read and heard since.

ps: Mateusz Hewelt looked good on the day in goal but I know nothing of the keepers overall.