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Heads gone.
My head’s still not come back after that Tifo video.
Im not sure what else we can do, nobody will take them, so as they are our players, we kinda have to keep them.
Or let him down, that's some backing for the lad, hope he doesn't fool around and dessert us after all this.
I think this new fella is just a crank
You THINK?
Luke Garbutt I reckon.
..this new boy likes opening threads. They are daft threads but threads nonetheless.
Exactly, need to get the balance right. The biggest disadvantage of the under 23 league is that younger players don't have more experienced pro's to learn from. Whilst the likes of Galloway probably have no long term future they have made senior appearances so pairing him with Gibson should in theory aid the later's development.
Barnfred 55
Player Valuation: £80m
Looks like we're struggling to shift Browning, which I'm a bit surprised at tbh as I think he's capable at Championship level. His injury problems are an issue and maybe that's why clubs are reluctant to take a chance.
I can understand the situation with Galloway tbh. He was a very good prospect 2 seasons ago but his confidence has been completely shattered due to two disastrous loans. He's a club asset on a long term contract so I can fully understand us trying to get his career back on track. He's still only 22 and there's possibly still a player in there somewhere. Probably not at the level we need, but if we can get him back to the level where we can offload him then it's worthwhile.
There is then still Pennington and Williams to consider. I would imagine both having enough suitors from the championship to offload them before the loan window shuts. It depends whether Silva see's them as injury cover for the first team squad. Two of our CBs are currently injured along with half of our midfield, so you can see his concern. Personally, I can see both going out by the weekend, and possibly Browning too if we can manage it. Our two usual U23 defenders are both injured at the moment anyway so nobody's development has been put on hold so far.
They are good local players, with a good attitude at the right standard. Unsworth wants to win the league and there's clearly some value in that. As you say if/when a championship team comes in for them they will move on. Until then though they will help the teenagers enormously.
Galloway I think the time back in the reserves is perfect for. He's only 22 (maybe 21?) so is still young enough that 6 months with Unsworth may turn the lad around. It's a long shot and we don't know, but Unsworth brought him on well last time. You never know. It's up to Galloway really who needs to knuckle down.
It's interesting Brands say's he will look at the academy. That will interest me a lot. I subscribe to the (somewhat unpopular) view that our academy on the whole has been very successful. Last night you had 3 local lads starting and Holgate who'd spent time in the 23's playing. We regularly have 2/3/4 lads who've come through the system playing. Big revenue has been generated too with the latest being Barkley. I also think it's in no small part down the Everton ethos we have, lots of coaches going through the system modelling the clear pathway that exists. I know for many it's the same old jobs for the boys, but in that area I don't have an enormous issue with it.
For me our issue is very much development from about 19 through to 26 has slowed too much and is not consistent enough. With the exception of Moyes we haven't brought enough players on, and he even specialised more in lads who were towards 24 and improving them to the age of 27/8.
That being said the Dutch are masters of academy development so it would be pigheaded to write off what he has to say, especially in how impressive he's been with other aspects. I think there's a lot to work with though, but it will be interesting to see if he rips it up and starts again. Personally more continental coaches may help. I think the aggressive approach around youth recruitment that Steve Walsh wanted (the Sessegnon brothers, Brooks, Hurst, Bailey, Grey, Zizkee, Isak) but ultimately didn't close on would be a smart approach.
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