Everton Youth Teams Thread

[Nymzee]

Its not imo, off the ball is a bit headless chicken…like a kid. Cos he plays kids football.

He just needs to be left to develop and lets see him in mens footy, and get him good mins smashed around by men.

You just said his all-round play isn’t good but now you’re talking about off the ball.

Which is it?

 

[EFC_FRANCIS]

Manchester City away in the quarter final

Edit: full draw here: https://www.thefa.com/news/2026/feb/13/fa-youth-cup-quarter-final-draw-20261302

We had a good run lol. Still, better to draw them now than in the final over 2 legs. Still a chance they slip up in a straight knockout tie.

 

[Pabbers]

You just said his all-round play isn’t good but now you’re talking about off the ball.

Which is it?

Come on mate, you know what I meant...."all-round play" just used to say he is not complete yet and need work.

He looks exciting on the ball, but also looks like a kid playing against other kids.

Just don't want to go ott on him, let him grow.

 

[EFC_FRANCIS]

James Nolan - Now plays for Charnock Richard, after playing for united in the cup in 2023.

Owen Barker the one from us, released and could not get a game after loads of trials....ended up at Bury FC who are low semi-pro, played a few mins then left...and now in the USA playing college football.

It happens, just as it happens the other way and they become top players.

James Nolan has never played for United in the cup lol. He played for their 21s once in a Papa John's match...

 

[Nymzee]

Come on mate, you know what I meant...."all-round play" just used to say he is not complete yet and need work.

He looks exciting on the ball, but also looks like a kid playing against other kids.

Just don't want to go ott on him, let him grow.

I mean I literally didn’t that’s why I asked.

You can be bad off the ball but still have good all-round play which to me does not include off the ball work.

 

[Pabbers]

James Nolan has never played for United in the cup lol. He played for their 21s once in a Papa John's match...

Ok, well point still stands....he was a United pro, and now plays low semi-pro.

I was getting it from Charnocks website, so they also have it wrong.

James Nolan - Squad (First Team) - Charnock Richard Football Club

James Nolan - Squad (First Team)

www.charnockrichardfc.co.uk

 

[Pabbers]

I mean I literally didn’t that’s why I asked.

You can be bad off the ball but still have good all-round play which to me does not include off the ball work.

Hmmm not sure. Bad off the ball players, for me are not 'all-round good players'.

 

[Nymzee]

Hmmm not sure. Bad off the ball players, for me are not 'all-round good players'.

If people discuss someone’s all-round game it’s is their touch good, how’s their dribbling, how’s their passing, do they have vision, are they good link players.

Don’t think it’s ever been “does he track a winger”.

But each to their own.

 

[Pabbers]

If people discuss someone’s all-round game it’s is their touch good, how’s their dribbling, how’s their passing, do they have vision, are they good link players.

Don’t think it’s ever been “does he track a winger”.

But each to their own.

Positioning, awareness, work rate, reflexes, vision, intelligence .....ALL part of the all-round-game.

 

[Nymzee]

Positioning, awareness, work rate, reflexes, vision, intelligence .....ALL part of the all-round-game.

Well his awareness is great hence getting into good positions, vision great (see Akarakiri chance last night), intelligence, yes, work rate, yes runs all day.

Maybe you’re not watching him and only the goal highlights.

 

[EFC_FRANCIS]

Ok, well point still stands....he was a United pro, and now plays low semi-pro.

I was getting it from Charnocks website, so they also have it wrong.

James Nolan - Squad (First Team) - Charnock Richard Football Club

James Nolan - Squad (First Team)

www.charnockrichardfc.co.uk

Just not sure the overall point of 'some youth footballers don't go on to be professional footballers' is a particularly strong or relevant one tbh. Particularly now that your example has been downgraded from united first team player to a bit part 21s player.

 

[Cameron Manning]

He may well be exciting, an exciting prospect is great to see, but thats all it is currently.

If he doesn’t develop physically he wont even be a pro footballer.

Its still no guarantee he will actually become an adult pro player.

One of the best, very best goalscorer and footballer I have ever seen was very small and slight but from the age of 16/17 was scoring goals for fun, Jimmy Greaves with Chelsea when the game was a lot more rougher and tougher than it is now, Graham was playing against men in the Irish league at 15 yers of age and scoring goals there and has carried on scoring goals since he moved to us, all he needs is to be given a chance.

 

[Pabbers]

Just not sure the overall point of 'some youth footballers don't go on to be professional footballers' is a particularly strong or relevant one tbh. Particularly now that your example has been downgraded from united first team player to a bit part 21s player.

If you don't see the point than I can't help you.

2 players I have used that have dropped out of the pro game at TOP Prem clubs, to be barely in semi pro, and you still don't get it.

 

[Joey66]

DM this weekend our first team v the under 21s first half- mix the teams up in the 2nd half behind closed doors - a good Manager would try that out !

 

[Pabbers]

One of the best, very best goalscorer and footballer I have ever seen was very small and slight but from the age of 16/17 was scoring goals for fun, Jimmy Greaves with Chelsea when the game was a lot more rougher and tougher than it is now, Graham was playing against men in the Irish league at 15 yers of age and scoring goals there and has carried on scoring goals since he moved to us, all he needs is to be given a chance.

Over 70 years ago this is now mate.

Obviously....we could just use Pele as an example / excuse to start ever single 16 year old.

Or Dixie Dean....he was small....lets just start every small kid too.