Season › 2018-19 › News U23s come unstuck against Derby County Michael Kenrick Monday, 17 September, 2018 34comments | Jump to most recent Everton U23s take on Derby County in Premier League 2 at Loughborough University Stadium tonight. With numerous players still out injured — and apparently little need to keep senior players on the fringe of the first team match-fit by playing for the Under-23s — expect Unsworth to rotate among his own set of players, where he is spoilt for choice between the sticks. Joao Virginia seems to be the rising star but there's competition from Hewelt, Renshaw and Hilton — although the later is playing mainly for the Under-18s. Eyes will be on Fraser Hornby to see if he can do more (hasn't he done enough already?) to gain the attention of the senior coaches in terms of that innate ability to do what the game requires at the most fundamental level — put the ball away in the back of the net. But, with the tranche of newcomers at senior level still to register much meaningful game time, it seems very unlikely that any more of the youngsters will be called upon anytime soon. But in the end, Hornby could do nothing to help the cause as Everton's unbeaten run in Premier League 2 Division 1 was brought to an end by Derby County. Article continues below video content The hosts took the lead after Eyoma was brought down in the area by Nathangelo Markelo in the 25th minute, and Thorne struck the spot-kick into the bottom corner. Joe Hilton went the right way but couldn't reach Thorne's kick. Everton captain Morgan Feeney suffered a nasty gash in the first half and despite having the wound heavily bandaged he didn't appear for the second period. The Blues came within a whisker of a leveller on 54 minutes when Antony Evans curled a wonderful 30-yard free-kick over the wall and was unfortunate to see Ravas touch the ball onto the post. Everton had plenty of possession in the second period but didn't trouble Ravas enough. Evans had another couple of efforts from distance and substitute Josh Bowler headed over from a Fraser Hornby cross. Harry Charsley and Shayne Lavery had efforts deflected wide. But the visitors couldn't find the breakthrough against a well-marshalled home defence. Everton U23s: Hilton [Y], Markelo (81' Lavery), Galloway, Charsley [Y], Browning, Feeney (46' Foulds), Evans, Adeniran [Y], (60' Bowler), Hornby, Sambou, Broadhead. Subs not Used: Hewelt, Ouzounidis. Reader Comments (34) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Phil Smith 1 Posted 17/09/2018 at 17:47:09 Hornby can't do any worse than our current strikers! Sam Hoare 2 Posted 17/09/2018 at 19:17:03 Has Hornby actually scored for the U23s yet?! A lot of clamour to get this kid into the team but early days for him yet. Steve Ferns 3 Posted 17/09/2018 at 19:18:53 Live on the official website for members (and season ticket holders). Steve Ferns 4 Posted 17/09/2018 at 19:27:54 We’ve just conceded from a penalty after Derby we’re well on top. Markelo, the Dutch kid, made a reckless challenge and gave away a needless penalty. Steve Ferns 5 Posted 17/09/2018 at 19:54:07 Half time and 1-0 down. We've not played well at all, but Bassala Sambou just hit a decent shot to give the Derby County keeper a save for the cameras.Anthony Evans, looks like the one most likely to make something happen. No-one else looking close to the first team on this performance. Mike Oates 6 Posted 17/09/2018 at 19:59:49 I don't know why we are playing Browning, Charsley, and Galloway. All haven't made it in the Championship and lower levels and are just blocking spaces for others to come through.We are not playing well at all: no midfield at all, and Derby had 2-3 good chances. Broadhead, Hornby and Sambou are getting no service at all. 1-0 to Derby. It's being streamed via the Derby site and so much better than we can do it. No endless Twatter requests to Snods & Sharpy... no break in signal.... far more professional commentary and picture quality. Steve Ferns 7 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:07:28 Mike, to be fair to Tyias, he's looked decent and has done decent on loan. His career has been devastated by injury. There's no chance he can make it at Everton as he's simply too old at 24. Maybe we can sell him and make a few quid?Brendan Galloway is a bit younger at 22. But I think he looks alright. I wouldn't be so hasty to release him. Probably too old to turn it around now and looks inferior to Robinson. Harry Charsley is 21 and he's had a few decent loan spells (apparently). I've not seen anything from him to suggest he's going to make it, but he's clearly a big favourite of Unsworth.As for Rams TV. Derby is head and shoulders ahead of us. Why are we still amateur hour? We've more money, more demand, more world wide appeal, so why don't we have a proper TV channel? We could learn a lot off Derby based on the ads at half-time. Steve Ferns 8 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:17:16 Anthony Evans, the star man, just had a free kick come back off the post. Everton slightly better, but need to improve more. Changes needed I think. Extra man needed to seize control of midfield. Mike Oates 9 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:23:58 Steve, Charsley was lent to Bolton last season and didn't even get on the subs bench for the whole 6 months – too lightweight, apparently. Browning is stopping the Greek named player who did so well last season from playing.I know Unsy in an interview preseason said he always wants to help lads who are looking for other clubs to get noticed but not three at once.We are finally playing well – two good chances for Evans. Steve Ferns 10 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:29:49 Mike I agree with what you say about Charsley, but he’s a real favourite of Unsworth.Is it better to have “3 ringers” and raise the standard so the decent kids play with higher quality players than get held back?We are playing a bit better. Slight formation shift now. But as I rote, Derby reclaiming midfield. Mike Oates 11 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:32:29 Galloway has just lost it completely. Two poor passes from him straight to Derby players and 2 great chances for Derby.He's lost his way when compared to his 3 months in the first team with Martinez. Steve Ferns 12 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:34:46 The team was:Joe HiltonMarkeloBrowningFeeneyGallowayEvansCharsleyAdeniranBroadheadHornbySambouSub:Bowler on for Adeniran who was on the verge of a red card. Mike Oates 13 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:39:41 We can't put 3 passes together, it's really poor. Unsy will be livid, there's nothing out on the pitch. Another good chance for Derby. We're not winning any 50:50 balls, anywhere on the pitch, we're lumping 50-/60-yard balls up front and a 30-year-old centre-half is dominating everything. Sam Hoare 14 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:42:20 It would seem the calls to play Hornby in the first team may be premature. Mike Oates 15 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:45:02 Hornby is nowhere near ready for first team. Daft Everton goalkeeper just tried to dribble a back pass, past a Derby lad, messed it up and had to pick it up — got booked and free-kick in the box.The whole team are a shambles; Derby should be 5 up, but still only 1-0. Karl Jones 16 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:45:03 They need to get a passing coach at Everton as none of the players, 1st team or reserves, seem capable of any sort of joined-up passing moves. Kieran Kinsella 17 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:45:06 Sam,Hornby is just the latest clown from the academy. Zero goals for the Under-23s, one good game for Scotland and he is all over the media talking about how he will either be in the Everton first team shortly or out on loan. As Seamus Coleman said recently, all the academy players these days assume they are going to make it in the big time but they won't cause they're a load of shite. Steve Ferns 18 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:48:27 Hornby has done nothing. He's nowhere near first team ready.Mike, you've given Galloway the Kiss of Death, he's been dreadful since you criticised him!I think we never really got a hold of midfield all game. Just a few spells.I do like the look of Evans though. He has a chance of making it. Mike Oates 19 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:50:30 There isn't a midfield at all. It's completely bypassed, it's non-existent. Steve Ferns 20 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:51:09 4-4-2 for you, Mike. Steve Ferns 21 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:57:43 Two Everton teams lose their unbeaten records in 24 hours. At least the U23s lost theirs fighting. Derby look a decent side. Mike Oates 22 Posted 17/09/2018 at 20:58:00 Agreed, only Evans has done anything all night; the rest... just a poor night. Just finished; lost 1-0. Played 5, won 2, drawn 2, lost 1. Mike Oates 23 Posted 17/09/2018 at 21:00:04 Derby ex-pro commentator just summed it up: Everton, power and pace but no quality. Derby, better team overall, better quality football and should have won by more. Karl Jones 24 Posted 17/09/2018 at 21:02:16 I've seen more cohesive passing watching 11-year-olds playing park football than watching Everton teams these days. What's with all the long-ball tactics? Mis-placed hoofs and getting caught all over the place on the break. At least the U23 defenders look a little more solid than the joke first team lot. Sam Hoare 25 Posted 17/09/2018 at 21:04:16 All down to the U18s now! Phill Thompson 26 Posted 17/09/2018 at 23:11:31 That was a disappointing result and performance, but I would say we had more direct chances on goal. Evans came more into it when Bowler came on, allowing Evans to play centrally, then he ended up at right back. Odd. He always looked most likely to score. Nobody really looked as if they'll be pushing the first team squad anytime soon. Feeney, when match fit, is likely to be the best prospect. Markelo is our third-choice right-back in the sense that he's the only other one who's played a few games at right-back recently, but he's far from being Premier League ready if Kenny is injured, so somebody else will have to play right-back in that event. Len Hawkins 27 Posted 18/09/2018 at 12:28:58 Three managers, a shed load of players, and nothing changes... in fact, it seems like a cancer spreading through the club from top to bottom. Has someone high up at the club told a Gyppo to shove her pegs up her jacksie? Shane Corcoran 28 Posted 18/09/2018 at 17:09:50 Kieran #17, Seamy must've been on the lash in Killybegs when he said that. Brian Wilkinson 29 Posted 18/09/2018 at 17:10:17 Yes Len, many years ago, his name was Pedro Cliveo Thomas redshiteo. Brian Wilkinson 30 Posted 18/09/2018 at 17:11:51 Who was informed where to shove his pegs and four leaf clover. Peter Gorman 32 Posted 19/09/2018 at 17:46:07 U23s lose a game to Derby County and suddenly everybody is useless and the whole club needs shooting. God love you all. Steve Ferns 33 Posted 21/09/2018 at 08:24:40 U23s drew 2-2 at unbeaten Brighton. Ellis Simms played his first game, coming off the bench to get the equaliser. Dave Abrahams 34 Posted 21/09/2018 at 09:11:58 Steve (33), I've only seen Ellis Simms on camera, when he scored four versus Blackburn, he reminded me a lot of a certain player we had not long ago, Lukaku, both in his play and the way he celebrated his goals; I don't know if that is a warning as well as praise.I hope he keeps on improving and scores plenty of goals for the Blues. Dave Abrahams 35 Posted 23/09/2018 at 15:46:15 6-0 versus Spurs today with goals from Browning, Dowell, direct from a corner, Hornby, Evans, Sambou and the best of the lot from Bowler, just come back for a bite to eat before I see what the first team can do at Arsenal. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads