Michael Kenrick 22/07/2023 14comments  |  Jump to last
Tranmere Rovers 1 - 1 Everton XI [85']

An Everton XI that is expected to be made up of mostly Under-21 players travels to Prenton Park this afternoon for a run-out against Tranmere Rovers; kick-off is at 2 pm BST.

This match is expected to feature mostly players from the Under-21s while the available first-team squad are involved in the senior side's second pre-season fixture that kicks off simultaneously at the DW Stadium against Wigan Athletic. 

The Tranmere game is not being streamed live but Everton received an advance allocation of 1,700 tickets for visiting fans that went on sale earlier this week.  Remaining tickets will be available for purchase today at Prenton Park. 

With this game being played at the same time as Everton are playing Wigan Athletic, the Tranmere game is not being streamed live. Highlights and a full match replay of the Tranmere game will be available on the Everton website later today.  

Article continues below video content


With Sean Dyche at Prenton Park to watch the youngsters, it is very much a topline Under-21 teamsheet with last season's loanees in addition to Holgate from the first-team squad. 

A very limited 6-man subs bench with two more goalkeepers named. 

The home side took the lead after the break but Stanley Mills equalized from the penalty spot 5 minutes before the end. 

Everton XI: Virginia, Higgins, Hunt, Holgate, Astley, Warrington, Kouyate, Onyango, Okoronkwo, Mills, Dobbin.
Subs: Crellin, Barrett, Heath, Sherif, Apter, Moonan.

 

Reader Comments (14)

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Alan J Thompson
1 Posted 22/07/2023 at 11:16:42
Seriously, two friendlies at the same time on the same day?

Has the pitch side VAR TV been set up for Mr Dyche to take in his options or is encouragement not encouraged?

Has any other club done this other than in-house behind-closed-doors games? Or have we another manager who has to be dragged to watch the juniors?

Rob Halligan
2 Posted 22/07/2023 at 11:19:02
Alan, I remember a few years ago we played two friendlies on the same night, one at Crewe and one at Rochdale. I went to the Rochdale game as I'd already gone to Crewe for a cup game.
Alan J Thompson
3 Posted 22/07/2023 at 11:42:05
Rob (#2);

Were we short on players and money then as well or is it that we now know which youngsters will be considered as they will be wherever the manager is this afternoon?

I just tend to think that it might not be sending the right message.

Rob Halligan
4 Posted 22/07/2023 at 12:36:25
Alan, if I remember rightly, both squads were split equally between first-team and fringe players. One was managed by Moyes and I think the other was by Alan Irvine(?). It was obviously pre-Moshiri days so I can't remember the financial side of things.
Eric Myles
5 Posted 22/07/2023 at 13:04:41
Alan J, it's just likely that the senior squad have a manager / coach, and the U21s have a separate manager / coach. Probably the same for the U18s.

So it's not really necessary that they all go to the same matches together when each could video their game and share it on Betamax with the other two.

Jeff Armstrong
6 Posted 22/07/2023 at 13:57:44
Cannon not in either squad?
Dave Abrahams
7 Posted 22/07/2023 at 13:59:20
I'm hoping Dyche has gone to Tranmere to watch how Warrington, Dobbin and Kouyate perform with Warrington the main central midfield man with Kouyate and Dobbin upfront.
Ron Sear
8 Posted 22/07/2023 at 16:21:12
We left this match at half time with the feeling that there should be another kind of table that lists how much you would pay another club to take players away - anywhere over a thousand miles from Merseyside.

There was absolutely nobody who should be allowed within sniffing distance of a Premier League team. Virtually the whole of the first session was played in the Everton half of the ground, passing ability was laughable and you had to see free kicks that had the Tranmere fans in stitches.

Alan J Thompson
9 Posted 22/07/2023 at 16:43:35
Eric (#5);

I was thinking more that some youngsters might be given a run to see how they fitted in with the senior players in something more than a Finch Farm kick around.

Mike Hayes
10 Posted 22/07/2023 at 16:54:33
Ron Sear it was as if they didn't want to be there.

Holgate was playing at a level that should have suited him but pub level is too high for him.

Tranmere had them playing in their own half – no-one stood out. 🤷

Neil Copeland
11 Posted 22/07/2023 at 18:27:15
Does the result also show how poor Tranmere are? Sounds like they couldn't beat a Sunday league performance from our up and coming players.
Jeff Armstrong
12 Posted 23/07/2023 at 09:46:05
Well, I think Dyche made the correct decision to go to Prenton Park, he will have learned more from watching the youngsters than watching what he already knows.

If they couldn't get up for a game where the first team manager is present, then there's not a lot of hope for any of them breaking through this coming season.

James Flynn
13 Posted 23/07/2023 at 16:05:32
A few highlights:
Link
Michael Kenrick
14 Posted 24/07/2023 at 22:58:54
It was noted last month that Ryan Astley was offered a new contract but I've not seen anything about him accepting it.

However, his involvement in this game would suggest he has agreed to another year, at least. Given the competition at centre-back, he might be heading out on loan again, I suspect.

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