U23s lose at Leicester but still lead PL2

I wonder if the Leicester youth system is beginning to blossom from the good work of our former head of recruitment?

I haven't seen Hornby in action; is he any good and what type of player is he?

In the first half, Everton had the wind at their backs, had most of the possession but created little and Simms ineffective against a very experienced centre half. Leicester scored from a corner, Virginia didn't come off his line and the ball was scrambled in.

In the second half Everton were on top for the last 20 minutes or so, trying to play on the ground against the wind, but couldn't equalise. Some chances created but let down by poor shooting. Hornby had the best chance, nicely created, but credit to their goalie, off his line really quickly to block the shot, rather than criticise Hornby.

Overall, a disappointing performance, the current team is not a patch on the Kenny, Walsh, Joe Williams, Dowell etc team of a couple of years ago. But it's all about developing individual players.

I was very impressed with Ryan Astley at right back, very composed and confident on the ball. Adeniran was the pick of the midfielders and Bowler improved things in the second half. Otherwise, as well as Hornby, good to see Gibson back But I thought that Feeney, one of my favourites, was a bit tentative and guilty of a number of misplaced passes. Everyone else pretty ordinary on the night.

The thought did strike me during the game that maybe the Under 23 set up is a bit stale and could do with some fresh faces and thinking in the coaching staff.

I missed the first half but thought we edged the second. Leicester defended their flanks very well and we weren't inventive through the middle. Seeing the way Antony Gordon is developing his passing game to add to his finishing skills, I hope to see him feature as a No 10 soon.

I am always interested to see how they're doing, especially Astley and Hornby.

"Overall, a disappointing performance, the current team is not a patch on the Kenny, Walsh, Joe Williams, Dowell etc team of a couple of years ago. But it's all about developing individual players."

I think you are spot on with both statements. It is well and good having enough decent players to make a solid u23 team but ultimately, I would forego the occasional epl2 trophy if we produced a legit star.

I wouldn't pin too much hope on anyone other than Feeney and Adeniran.

Granted I've not seen Gibson, who was injured for a while, but was apparently very good last season. Astley and Simms are just starting to acclimatise themselves at this age group.

Credit should go to Unsworth for getting this crop to the top of the table and embedding a winning mentality – something the first team lack. As Joe (4) said, they aren't a patch on 2 years ago individually but are still up there.

Lewis Gibson is a very good prospect, signed from Newcastle. The more he plays for Everton and the higher grade team he plays for, the more he will cost the Blues, up to around ٤M.

There was an aborted comeback in October — he was stretchered off after 38 mins against Arsenal U23s and had not played since.