Sonic Youth

Comments (7)

The Destination Kirkby decision, albeit delayed by the protracted shennanigans at the GONW, David Moyes's unsigned contractual offer, injuries to key players and those on extended leave following summer footballing commitments, and the apparent lack of transfer activity by Everton during pre-season has to many left a bitter taste in the mouth and a hollow feeling through the soul of most Evertonians.

Reasons to be cheerful? Well not seemingly so. However, one clear blue ray of optimism has been the exposure to first team action of many of the junior players in the ranks, and the subsequent blooding of the likes of Kissock, Rodwell, Irving, Molyneux, Baxter, Gosling and Agard.

Such a strategy many would quite rightly argue has been on a "needs must" basis as the state-of-the-art Halewood training complex has resembled a health farm more so than its name, Finch Farm, in recent weeks as the casualty list of absentees has worringly mounted.

Baz Rathbone and his team must be raking in the overtime in between visits to Australia to check upon Tiny Tim's crocked metatarsal. Since the halycon days of Wayne Rooney there has been a constant drip feed on the internet through forums and the like as to the next 'big' thing coming through the ranks at Everton. David Moyes has in the past been criticised in some quarters for not allowing the youth an opportunity, the harsh reality being that very few if any have the physical stature, tenacity and natural ability of Rooney to bypass the customary inductions of youth team football and the odd reserve appearance.

The situation under Moyes's tenure has also changed since Rooney burst onto the scene as a precocious 16 year old. We now have options and maybe Moyes has learnt his lesson on nurturing young prodigies. How many, if any, from the youth contingency will then make the grade following their flirtation with the 1st team during recent weeks is impossible to say but given the nucleus of players at his disposal and the fact that Rodwell has been given a squad number, Baxter continues to receive rave reviews straight out of school and Agard seems to have shaken the dissapointment of being released from Arsenal then the future bodes well.

Without looking to draw direct comparisons, who can forget the youth team players at Manchester United that went on to achieve such greatness, bursting on the scene together and dumbfounding the pundits and critics? There is a long way to go but also reasons to be cheerful.
Peter Laing, Liverpool     Posted 22/07/2008 at 22:01:28

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