Liam Walsh

[Eggs]

All this talk about the size of the player reminded me of what a youth coach at man city said to me, he said the average size of a premier league player is 5'10" ( Not sure how tall Walsh is ) just had a quick look on Google and this seems to be the case, so this perception that players are massive and you can only compete if you are the same is a myth. Now I haven't seen Walsh play but going on what's being said on here he's a talented player, so if it's only his size that's holding him back I think it's very short sighted on Everton's part

..I agree, I don't think his size is a major factor especially when you look at the likes of Silva for City. I think the reality is that Koeman wants Gueye and Davies types of midfielder who are permanently closing players down and on the go. I notice Williams was sub at OT and he's the same. Walsh is more like the hub of a wheel, orchestrating play with a clever passing game. I suspect he simply doesn't fit the RK team model.

 

[Nobby Nobbs]

Walsh is more like the hub of a wheel, orchestrating play with a clever passing game.

Shame if he doesn't fit the RK model because I feel we do need this type of player

 

[Raino85]

...Walsh has done the loan thing, he was truly outstanding for Yeovil. I doubt another loan will appeal and he's at an age where he wants first team football.

But at league 2 standard? I think he needs to shine in a higher competitive league before Koeman takes that chance on him

 

[Raino85]

..I agree, I don't think his size is a major factor especially when you look at the likes of Silva for City. I think the reality is that Koeman wants Gueye and Davies types of midfielder who are permanently closing players down and on the go. I notice Williams was sub at OT and he's the same. Walsh is more like the hub of a wheel, orchestrating play with a clever passing game. I suspect he simply doesn't fit the RK team model.

Walsh can and does that closing down thing probably as good as anyone at the club, he gets himself about and loves to put a challenge in.
Dont know if you have actually seen him play or just because you have seen him pick out a few passes on a highlights reel think he is more a quarter back style midfielder

 

[Stephenlloyd]

..I agree, I don't think his size is a major factor especially when you look at the likes of Silva for City. I think the reality is that Koeman wants Gueye and Davies types of midfielder who are permanently closing players down and on the go. I notice Williams was sub at OT and he's the same. Walsh is more like the hub of a wheel, orchestrating play with a clever passing game. I suspect he simply doesn't fit the RK team model.

Why does barry keep getting games then. And I think Walsh can get about the pitch and put tackles in

Your talking like he just strolls around the pitch playing pretty passes. Which couldn't be further from the truth

 

[Eggs]

Why does barry keep getting games then. And I think Walsh can get about the pitch and put tackles in

Your talking like he just strolls around the pitch playing pretty passes. Which couldn't be further from the truth

...of course he doesn't stroll around the pitch, you're right. If anything he's a classy little footballer but I don't think he's a dynamic as RK wants from a running perspective. The Barry role is quite unique and I don't see Walsh playing that at this stage. Just me trying to assume what RK is thinking but I might be very wrong.

 

[Eggs]

But at league 2 standard? I think he needs to shine in a higher competitive league before Koeman takes that chance on him

..Davies didn't.

 

[catcherintherye]

..I agree, I don't think his size is a major factor especially when you look at the likes of Silva for City. I think the reality is that Koeman wants Gueye and Davies types of midfielder who are permanently closing players down and on the go. I notice Williams was sub at OT and he's the same. Walsh is more like the hub of a wheel, orchestrating play with a clever passing game. I suspect he simply doesn't fit the RK team model.

I see him as quite similar to the lad Claisie he introduced at Feyenoord and then Southampton. Have you seen much of him mate?

Give some of the young players getting a chance I'm pretty sure Walsh will get an opportunity. The question will be though, will he be willing I wait the period that may be required to get it if some promising offers come forth in the summer?

 

[Eggs]

I see him as quite similar to the lad Claisie he introduced at Feyenoord and then Southampton. Have you seen much of him mate?

Give some of the young players getting a chance I'm pretty sure Walsh will get an opportunity. The question will be though, will he be willing I wait the period that may be required to get it if some promising offers come forth in the summer?

...I haven't, Matey but you are much more knowledgeable than me on the Youth set up. I hope you're right about Walsh getting a chance but I'd like to have seen him involved in match day squads and in the group that went to Dubai. I fully respect your thoughts in this area though.

 

[catcherintherye]

...of course he doesn't stroll around the pitch, you're right. If anything he's a classy little footballer but I don't think he's a dynamic as RK wants from a running perspective. The Barry role is quite unique and I don't see Walsh playing that at this stage. Just me trying to assume what RK is thinking but I might be very wrong.

I think you are spot on really. Koeman prioritises the physical side of the game, or simplistically lads who can run. We know how central Kluttenberg was in the summer and it's an area he made a priority.

Deulofeu has been let go, Barkley dropped, Jagielka dropped all in part because of their legs more than anything. The lads getting a chance: Davies, Calvert Lewin, Holgate, Lookman as well as now Kenny and Williams may be lacking in a host of areas but what they can do is run. As you say there's no magic with DCL (as thee is with Walsh) but he's big, works hard, a strong runner who can jump.

I always thought Walsh may have to wait until he was 20 or 21 to break through. The key question to me will be will he be willing I wait. You see a similar thing with Dowell, a very talented lad but not the athlete the manager wants.

On a slight aside some of te comments towards Williams have been a little unfair. Williams is a very talented player in his own right. Of the current under 18s crop I wouldn't rate any as highly as him. He just happened to play in a strong year group.

 

[catcherintherye]

...I haven't, Matey but you are much more knowledgeable than me on the Youth set up. I hope you're right about Walsh getting a chance but I'd like to have seen him involved in match day squads and in the group that went to Dubai. I fully respect your thoughts in this area though.

I'm honesty mate my feelings on Walsh are based on no inside information just a guy feeling. I agree with you though, another 12 months knocking about under 23s for a chance that may never come may not be as appealing as a good opportunity in the championship. I hope not, I think he's the most talented young player we have on the books and I know Martinez felt as much when he was here.

 

[Raino85]

..Davies didn't.

Davies is already a big strong physical lad, ready for the rigors of top flight football.
Walsh because of his diminutive figure possibly from our coaches/koemans view is not
I am not saying this is right or i agree with this, i just think Walsh may have to prove to these guys he can tough it out against bigger more physical players then the ones at league 2 standard.

The big guys at league 2 standard tend to be more your big bruisers with a belly on them type, will wipe you out with a tackle but do not have the fitness or athleticism to keep up with you (your john parkin's, akinfenwa's etc).
You play in the premier league and you have the same physicality and strength but to add to that these physical guys are also big, strong and athletic (Wanayama's, Schneiderlin's, Matic's)

Obviously throughout the league there are small players who have dealt with that and excelled (kante and gueye off the top of my head straight away). But these guys were 25-26 when they came into this league and had played in the lower regions of france to prove themselves to coaches etc

 

[Stephenlloyd]

I see him as quite similar to the lad Claisie he introduced at Feyenoord and then Southampton. Have you seen much of him mate?

Give some of the young players getting a chance I'm pretty sure Walsh will get an opportunity. The question will be though, will he be willing I wait the period that may be required to get it if some promising offers come forth in the summer?

You could maybe understand ledson wanting 1st team football. After 3 yrs with the un21's.

Walsh hopefully want be so hasty. As not long before his Yeovil loan, he was still playing the odd game at un18.
So this is his 1st full season at un23 level.

 

[atrottel]

Of course there are small (or slight) players that are good but you still don't want too many in the team. If Gueye is playing in midfield already then it makes sense not to play another small player when you are up against, say, United or Chelsea or Stoke or West Brom. Practically you can't play, for example, Gueye, Walsh, Lookman, Dowell, Deulofeu and Baines in the same side because it will just give you too much of a physical disadvantage in terms of height and size and being muscled out of play.

 

[GwladysPhil]

Are you his dad?