Did you ever get to see Alex Young play much mate? I never saw him but my dad would tell me about him. Sounds similar to young Dowell, do you see much similarity?
Did you ever get to see Alex Young play much mate? I never saw him but my dad would tell me about him. Sounds similar to young Dowell, do you see much similarity?
Ring master
Player Valuation: £90m
yes
So sad, 44 is no age and you'd have hoped that the prompt medical attention he would have got might have given him more of a chance. Some nice tributes from Barry & Unsworth on the OS
http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2017/04/21/everton-pays-tribute-to-ehiogu
I think Koeman had a look at him pre-season and felt he was a bit off the pace when it came to the pressing side of the game. To give the pessimistic analysis, while this has improved he is still some way off where you imagine Koeman wants players in the first team to be. It's also fair to say his form in the under 23's is not as scintillating as last season where he was scoring goals and ever hatricks quite regularly. I err more on this perspective and do worry Dowell may not get too many chances under Koeman but we will see.
To give the more positive outlook you would say he looked decent in pre season games (I thought he did well). Koeman was initially quite reticent to give young players too many games, and the likes of him Davies & Kenny were pushed to the back of the cue. It's not unreasonable to suggest this was a wider strategy- namely to give all the senior lads a chance first, bomb out the ones he didn't fancy before allowing younger players a chance to play and not be caught up in that process. If thats the case it may be that lads like Dowell may get another look in come the pre-season. This season Dowell has also grown up a lot physically. I think form dipped as he had growing pains but he can come back a bigger, stronger player.
I think Dowell and Walsh are problems in some ways- for different manifestations of a similar reason. They are probably the two most talented young players we have, but there is an issue with their physicality in doing what the manager wants. I imagine both will have tempting offers as well, so we will see how it develops.
Maybe the disappointment of not being more involved in the first-team has caused Dowell to regress and not work as hard? Have to remember they're only kids and can all be a mentality thing more than him just not working hard enough on the pitch.
mightymoyes
Player Valuation: £70m
if hes that mentally weak he'd never have made it in premier league anyway.
...I recall you or somebody else making that comparison a while ago and I can certainly see a few similarities. I have to admit to not being a big fan of Young but he was a class act, one of those with a silky touch that looks like they can play in carpet slippers. He was more of a goal threat than Dowell and he was excellent in the air. I think the comparison is more in the fact that neither were high action or major workrate, both had the class to influence a game and both could go missing.
Clearly Young had a fine career but I can see how you've drawn a comparison from what your Dad has said. I'll probably get pelters for criticising the Golden Vision but I agree he was classy.
who was your favourite player mate?
...definitely Alan Ball. He was truly outstanding.
They play in carpet slippers now, and on grass Young played on mud baths etc
My older brother and late father took me to see him, on his day he shone like a beacon hence he was idolised - his consistency with his blistered feet or sometimes his inability to get involved was a mystery to him, and the fans - HC used to look at Ian St John who was a solid grafter, and why The GV could not perform week in week out hence they did not get on - saying that if Dowel has any of the GV attributes roll him on - my schoolboy memories of him were he was a genius of his time to see him and a young Alan Ball play will stay in my memories for the rest of my life - the fans just loved the GV a pure footballer in every way!
Young was one of the best players ever to grace our team
His touch and ability to make space was unreal.
However in the modern game physicality , workrate and pressing are just as important and unless young players show these qualities they are going to struggle to make the grade at the top level.
..he was a fabulous, graceful type was Alex Young. Saying that, I have to admit that he wasn't a favourite. I don't think Catterick was overly keen on him either. As you say, Joey, difficult surfaces in those days but he had great touch.
....good luck tonight lads.
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