Everton Youth Teams Thread

[mightymoyes]

Errrm how about Stones, Galloway mate?

If your going to use Wenger bringing through Bellerin then may as well be fair

bellerin joined them at 15 and played academy football, not the same as galloway and stones

 

[mightymoyes]

Bellerin and numerous others at Arsenal are foreign lads Arsenal cherry picked from foreign clubs' academies, that's what Wenger has been doing for years. Players like Bellerin, as good as they are, can't be compared to home grown lads like Barkley, who's obviously been at Everton since he was virtually in nappies. Not even Wilshere is from London, they literally have no one in that team who was both born locally and come through their academy. Not 1 player

wilshire was at arsenal from age 9! do you only count them if wenger collected them from the maternity ward?!

 

[bluestevon]

bellerin joined them at 15 and played academy football, not the same as galloway and stones

galloway had a season of academy football as well mate once he arrived

As for Bellerin, sorry but he spent about 7 years prior to arriving at Arsenal at Barcelona - no way on earth is he a home grown talent developed by Arsenal mate, same way Fabregas wasn't their academy player either

 

[bluebrotha77]

We have to remember that development isn't just physical or skill related, but mental too. Maybe a loan to a team outside of the football league is a reminder of how fragile professional football can be and that a youth contract at Everton is no sign that you've made it.

The mental side is so important in progressing from a good youngster to a good senior so that may be some part of it. May not of course, but we've had so many good young players come off the rails in recent years that maybe we're trying different things to keep their heads straight.

Well said mate.its a fine line between everton and lower leagues for alot of youngsters.well most considering you would be lucky to get 2 or 3 from every group and that doesnt even happen regularly so you would hope that when they do go on loan they see how lucky they are to be at everton and gives them that extra incentive to push themselves to make it.

 

[mightymoyes]

galloway had a season of academy football as well mate once he arrived

As for Bellerin, sorry but he spent about 7 years prior to arriving at Arsenal at Barcelona - no way on earth is he a home grown talent developed by Arsenal mate, same way Fabregas wasn't their academy player either

i dont think galloway played a game for the academy teams, he was too old. happy to be proved wrong.

 

[Coffee and TV]

i dont think galloway played a game for the academy teams, he was too old. happy to be proved wrong.

He played for the U21s all last season, I watched him quite a few times. He's only 19 now so he wouldn't have been too old last year.

 

[mightymoyes]

He played for the U21s all last season, I watched him quite a few times. He's only 19 now so he wouldn't have been too old last year.

i know he played for the u21s, watched him myself. hes 20 in march, i think he was too old for u18 football. either way he can hardly be counted as an everton product.
im not saying bellerin was all arsenals work but theres a difference to signing a 15 yr old and an 18 yr old.

 

[Coffee and TV]

i know he played for the u21s, watched him myself. hes 20 in march, i think he was too old for u18 football. either way he can hardly be counted as an everton product.
im not saying bellerin was all arsenals work but theres a difference to signing a 15 yr old and an 18 yr old.

Yeah he wouldn't have played in the U18s anyway because its not as high a standard as U21s. It's true there's a difference though, like Garbutt for us or Sterling for the RS who both signed at 15. I still wouldn't call them proper products of our academy though, and especially if they come from somewhere like Barca.

 

[catcherintherye]

We have to remember that development isn't just physical or skill related, but mental too. Maybe a loan to a team outside of the football league is a reminder of how fragile professional football can be and that a youth contract at Everton is no sign that you've made it.

The mental side is so important in progressing from a good youngster to a good senior so that may be some part of it. May not of course, but we've had so many good young players come off the rails in recent years that maybe we're trying different things to keep their heads straight.

Great post mate.

I think, especially for young players it is the mental side of it that becomes the most important. Most are technical very gifted and that can certainly be achieved in house at the academy. Likewise a lot can be done to help with physicality (weight training etc) or they can be scaffolded (eased in at fullback for example).

I think it is the mental side of things where top level English clubs really struggle. Up to under 17's English clubs are very competitive but after that we tend to lag behind. It goes hand in hand with lack of first team experience such players get.

Dealing with pressure is massive. How do you deal with playing for a team who's win bonus may be the difference between a good week or a bad week. Or where relegation or promotion may keep the kitman or tea lady in a job? In an environment where you might have 3 or 4 thousand people getting on your back if you're having a bad game?

Most academies tend to be warm, friendly and safe places to help players develop. That's what you get from Unsworth, he is very supportive. And he can be, if he loses 4 games in a row nobody is calling for him to be sacked like they do with Martinez (or lower league managers). If someone makes a mistake they might not lose their job.

This is very important, as you are dealing with children and placing undue pressure will hamper their development. As they progress into adults though you can only shield them for so long. The academy or under 21's can only provide so much. While people can say results are important nothing will ever feel like scoring the winning goal for Tranmere (which Green did last year) or playing a part in a promotion campaign like Ledson does.

All this prepares them for what happens at first team level. The comparison I would make is school. Often people finishing school at 18 will have an equally good appreciation and skills for a job as someone who has held the position. However they just lack the worldliness to get the nuances of the working world. A loan is like a stint on a minimum wage job. You're not going to learn anything technical but you learn the importance of work, how to get along with people, and get outside the secure bubble.

Of all the attributes I've seen with young players, mental attributes are the most important. You have to be very resilient. The loan process is essential to this.

It's interesting Klopp is turning his back on that model. It is yet another awful move from Liverpool. They may well win the under 21's league, but will not produce any players from doing that.

 

[blueloon]

Is Gray a new keeper??? Can't recall seeing his name mentioned befor.
Hopefully he is boss.

I posted a wee bit back in August I think, we quietly took him on from Wrexham as he wouldn't sign a new contract with them . He's 20 I think. We loaned him to Colwyn Bay at one point. I read a good article the other day about him stoping shots from Lukaku in training. Couldn't cut paste on my iPad but will try to find it again.

 

[Verbal Kint]

Great post mate.

I think, especially for young players it is the mental side of it that becomes the most important. Most are technical very gifted and that can certainly be achieved in house at the academy. Likewise a lot can be done to help with physicality (weight training etc) or they can be scaffolded (eased in at fullback for example).

I think it is the mental side of things where top level English clubs really struggle. Up to under 17's English clubs are very competitive but after that we tend to lag behind. It goes hand in hand with lack of first team experience such players get.

Dealing with pressure is massive. How do you deal with playing for a team who's win bonus may be the difference between a good week or a bad week. Or where relegation or promotion may keep the kitman or tea lady in a job? In an environment where you might have 3 or 4 thousand people getting on your back if you're having a bad game?

Most academies tend to be warm, friendly and safe places to help players develop. That's what you get from Unsworth, he is very supportive. And he can be, if he loses 4 games in a row nobody is calling for him to be sacked like they do with Martinez (or lower league managers). If someone makes a mistake they might not lose their job.

This is very important, as you are dealing with children and placing undue pressure will hamper their development. As they progress into adults though you can only shield them for so long. The academy or under 21's can only provide so much. While people can say results are important nothing will ever feel like scoring the winning goal for Tranmere (which Green did last year) or playing a part in a promotion campaign like Ledson does.

All this prepares them for what happens at first team level. The comparison I would make is school. Often people finishing school at 18 will have an equally good appreciation and skills for a job as someone who has held the position. However they just lack the worldliness to get the nuances of the working world. A loan is like a stint on a minimum wage job. You're not going to learn anything technical but you learn the importance of work, how to get along with people, and get outside the secure bubble.

Of all the attributes I've seen with young players, mental attributes are the most important. You have to be very resilient. The loan process is essential to this.

It's interesting Klopp is turning his back on that model. It is yet another awful move from Liverpool. They may well win the under 21's league, but will not produce any players from doing that.

Aren't they doing awful in the under 21 league, I watched the game against Exeter not one of their players looked impressive.

 

[mightymoyes]

Aren't they doing awful in the under 21 league, I watched the game against Exeter not one of their players looked impressive.

yeh theyre in a relegation battle, hopefully they go down.
http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/...r-league-tables.html?paramYouthStage=NATIONAL

 

[summerisle]

I posted a wee bit back in August I think, we quietly took him on from Wrexham as he wouldn't sign a new contract with them . He's 20 I think. We loaned him to Colwyn Bay at one point. I read a good article the other day about him stoping shots from Lukaku in training. Couldn't cut paste on my iPad but will try to find it again.

This it ?
http://m.leaderlive.co.uk/mobile/mn...pping-shots-from-everton-s-romelu-lukaku.aspx





Ex Wrexham AFC keeper Louis Gray is now stopping shots from Everton's Romelu Lukaku
PUBLISHED ON 06 JANUARY 2016 BY RICHARD WILLIAMS

Louis Gray

NOT too many goalkeepers have had much joy against Everton hotshot Romelu Lukaku recently and they’ll be thankful they don’t have to face him on a regular basis.

But that’s all in a day’s work for former Wrexham shot-stopper Louis Gray, who comes up against the Belgian striker and his Toffees team-mates in training sessions at Finch Farm.

Gray turned down the offer of a new contract at Wrexham in the close season and there was a lot of interest in the 20-year-old who came through the ranks at his hometown club.

Everton, who are at home to Manchester City in tonight’s semi-final first leg, offered him the chance to show what he could do and Gray earned a one-year deal with the Premier League club where he is a member of the under 21 squad and trains with the first team as part of their preparations for matches.

“I am in the under 21 squad and train with the first team,” said Gray.

“The first time was a bit surreal, that was a new one. From watching these players on television to saving their shots!

“It is a great experience and I have learnt a lot.

“On a day before a game, I train with the other goalkeepers and then do shooting with the first team.”

Gray signed a professional contract in the summer of 2014 after completing his scholarship at The Racecourse.

But a lack of opportunities with Wrexham, where he failed to make a senior appearance under Kevin Wilkin and finished the 2014-15 season on loan at Cefn Druids, meant he was keen to find a new club despite the offer of a new contract by Gary Mills.

“I had a number of clubs interested,” said Gray. “A new goalkeeper (Cameron Belford) was brought in at Wrexham and I was not prepared to be second choice. I would have been prepared to push to be first choice but I wanted to keep my options open.

“I just decided my time at Wrexham was over, a move to another club fell through but I went training for a week at Everton and got offered a contract.

“It gives me a season to impress, even if it is just that. It is a chance to develop and a good opportunity to train with players like this every day.”

Gray is targeting more league matches for Everton under 21s in the new year and a chance to showcase his talents in front of a wider audience.

“I have not had many league games for the under 21s, just playing in friendlies,” said Gray.

“There is a very good goalkeeper here, Mateusz Hewelt, and it is hard to get in, as he is also third choice for the first team.

“My aim for January is to work hard in training and try and get games in the league for the under 21s.”

Manager Roberto Martinez and first team development coach Dennis Lawrence, a former Trinidad and Tobago international who enjoyed a successful playing spell at Wrexham, have helped Gray feel welcome.

“Roberto Martinez has been really good,” added Gray. “My first week there, Dennis knew I was from Wrexham and he helped me settle in.”

 

[blueloon]

Beat me too it , yep that's the one on Louis Gray. Its interesting that he /they consider Hewelt as our 3rd choice GK , which presumably make him and Griffiths 4th and 5th , though not sure of order.

 

[Eggs]

Great post mate.

I think, especially for young players it is the mental side of it that becomes the most important. Most are technical very gifted and that can certainly be achieved in house at the academy. Likewise a lot can be done to help with physicality (weight training etc) or they can be scaffolded (eased in at fullback for example).

I think it is the mental side of things where top level English clubs really struggle. Up to under 17's English clubs are very competitive but after that we tend to lag behind. It goes hand in hand with lack of first team experience such players get.

Dealing with pressure is massive. How do you deal with playing for a team who's win bonus may be the difference between a good week or a bad week. Or where relegation or promotion may keep the kitman or tea lady in a job? In an environment where you might have 3 or 4 thousand people getting on your back if you're having a bad game?

Most academies tend to be warm, friendly and safe places to help players develop. That's what you get from Unsworth, he is very supportive. And he can be, if he loses 4 games in a row nobody is calling for him to be sacked like they do with Martinez (or lower league managers). If someone makes a mistake they might not lose their job.

This is very important, as you are dealing with children and placing undue pressure will hamper their development. As they progress into adults though you can only shield them for so long. The academy or under 21's can only provide so much. While people can say results are important nothing will ever feel like scoring the winning goal for Tranmere (which Green did last year) or playing a part in a promotion campaign like Ledson does.

All this prepares them for what happens at first team level. The comparison I would make is school. Often people finishing school at 18 will have an equally good appreciation and skills for a job as someone who has held the position. However they just lack the worldliness to get the nuances of the working world. A loan is like a stint on a minimum wage job. You're not going to learn anything technical but you learn the importance of work, how to get along with people, and get outside the secure bubble.

Of all the attributes I've seen with young players, mental attributes are the most important. You have to be very resilient. The loan process is essential to this.

It's interesting Klopp is turning his back on that model. It is yet another awful move from Liverpool. They may well win the under 21's league, but will not produce any players from doing that.

...I suggest 'attitude' is the same as 'mental development'. So many professionals have a fearless attitude that often comes from their background/up bringing. I reckon it's why so many good players come from impoverished areas of Africa and South America. Many boxers have a similar background.