Everton U23s lose away to Spurs

Does the proximity of this game to last night's Premier League match at West Brom help to explain some strangeness about the bench last night?

Not really... because both Broadhead and Onyango sat out the game on the bench last night without being used. So, logically, another warm body from the U23s could have been added to make up the allowed compliment of nine players? Why not, for heaven's sake? It was only the second spell for Broadhead but Onyango has now been an unused sub six times this season.

And what of the ridiculous two goalkeepers on the bench, yet again? Surely another opportunity could have been given to a young outfield player, as in the bench against Liverpool.

Well, perhaps the reason is Carlo is nothing if not Old School. Nine subs? But he can only use three? Ridiculous. Carlo clearly had no intention of using any of the youngsters.

And Unsworth shows the same tendency, naming only four subs when he could have five. I guess this is why I'd never have made it as a football manager. There is simply no logic to it!

Michael

It could be that being on the bench is something they want players to earn. Onyango has apparently been training for the first team so sitting on the bench is a "reward" for his efforts even if we have no intention of using him. Maybe they don't want to make it too easy and hand out match day squad spots to under 23s who don't warrant that based on performance/attitude. As for the two goalies, well if Pickford gets injured then you've Virginia there in the event that Olsen gets a red card. Is it likely? no. But equally you have more spots for outfielders then you could possibly use to having the extra keeper out of an abundance of caution makes sense to me.

Poo, I forgot about this game.

I see Hunt came on as sub for Small, and was then subbed himself, Butterfield coming on!

Kieran (2), Olsen wasn't on the bench last night, it was Virginia and Tyrer as the goalkeepers, maybe that's why Michael thought it was ridiculous, most of bench is cosmetic, no chance of them going on, although I wouldn't mind Broadhead getting some minutes from the bench instead of Iwobi and the minimal amount of effort he adds to Everton's game.

Two goalies on the bench.

Apart from last game of the season when a retiring and now a liability goalkeeper may be brought on for the last 5 minutes as a swan song to wave to the crowd - I cannot remember a goalkeeper being substituted because they are just not playing well. 5-0 down and you sub the goalkeeper. Confidence completely destroyed.

Goalkeepers on the bench are there for the rare occasions where the starting keeper is injured or sent off. Southall, Howard, Turner have all been sent off for us since the start of the Premier League, Whereas Stekelenburg, Richard Wright, Martyn, Gerrard and Southall have all gone off injured. Back in those days before multiple substitutes the only solution was to put an outfield player in goal (Sandy Brown anyone?).

Even though in 1102 games in the Premier League we have only needed a sub goalie on around 10 occasions, we would have looked pretty stupid if we did not have a keeper on the bench.

So with 9 possible seats and only 3 who can come on - how much more stupid would you be if a keeper was sent off and then the sub got injured. Playing with 10 men and an outfield player between the sticks. Meanwhile, there are 7 outfield players on the bench and you can only bring 2 of them on. Yes, it is belt and braces. Yes, a 1 in 110 chance of needing even the one keeper on the bench. But what are you losing by having a 19 year old graduate warming the bench with no chance of coming on and sitting there for the experience when your sub keeper is making their way to the dressing room and the centre half is donning the gloves.
Can we now stop the moaning about 2 keepers? It is a sensible calculated decision for a rare event.

Phil, I can remember only one game when a goalie was subbed when not injured. Didn't Paul Gerrard replace Southall at half time when we were 5-0 up? We went onto win 7-1.

Not the same thing but remember when Martyn was injured so Ian Turner stood in, got sent off and John Ruddy played the rest of the game (his only appearance, I think). A 1-0 home win against Blackburn.

Just this season, I think there was a case of three goalies being named in a match squad (not Everton). The first team goalie got injured in the warm-up, the second keeper replaced him but was then injured or sent off in the game and the third string keeper then played out the remainder of the match. A unique set of circumstances (if my memory is correct).

It probably makes sense to name three keepers if the first or second choice is nursing an injury. Wasn't Pickford strapped up last night?

Nice to see Cannon moving up to U23s. But what of Dobbin? I was expecting him to be like Onyango sitting on the bench now and again.

Robert, sadly Lewis Dobbin is out injured, it's for the rest of the season I think.
Cannon, should be in prime position with Simms on loan, Dobbin out. He scored a decent goal with a good first touch in the u18 defeat, but he's hardly made his mark at U23s. The rumour is he's refusing to sign a new contract and is leaving come June.
As ever, the focus then changes as to whose next in line, which is Katia Kouyate, who after being sent off in the RS U23s clash hasn't been seen. I'd like to see him given more time at U23s to see if he can build on his raw potential.

Edit to my #8, it was the 1-1 draw against Leeds u18 that Cannon scored the goal I was picturing.

Thanks Phill. Hopefully Dobbin can make his mark next season then. Shame if Cannon leaves but it opens up room for Kouyate, as you say.