ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

The Mail Bag

Academy stars

I went along to the England vs Italy U17 game tonight at the Pirelli stadium and was able to cast an eye over two of EFC's Academy prospects.

For the record the game ended in a 1:1 draw after England secured a well deserved late equaliser, the Italians having scored before half-time against the run of play.

England were captained by Luke Garbutt, our recent acquisition from Leeds. He had an indifferent first half but was much improved in the second, when he interacted well with his Everton colleague Jake Bidwell, on as a half-time sub for Arsenal's Chuks Aneke.

While Bidwell is primarily a left back (like Garbutt), he played left side of midfield in front of his captain and looked very comfortable in that role.

While England had looked assured on the ball in the first half, they lacked sufficient penetration in the final third. This was more than made up for by Bidwell in the second period, his runs to the byline and into the box causing the Italians all sorts of problems. His crossing too was consistently good - not a one going out behind for a goal-kick, and a number putting their defence under real pressure.

All in all a good performance from England, Bidwell in particular. He was certainly the star player of the second half.

My man of the match was the Italian keeper. He pulled-off a superb double reflex save on his goal line from headers in the first half and then in the second somehow managed to stop a what looked like a certain match-winner after England's No9 cracked a shot on goal from well inside the box.

England's next game is against Turkey on Friday night (at Notts County) and then they play Portugal at Spotlands on Sunday.
Chris Jones, Burton upon Trent Posted 26/08/2009 at 20:35:27

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Comments

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Michael Kenrick

Excellent! Many thanks for the report, Chris. It's great to get some feedback on these young up-and-coming stars of the Everton Academy.

Ciarán McGlone
1 Posted 27/08/2009 at 08:39:11

Bidwell?

That’s the first time I’ve heard that name...was he a purchase?

Peter Griffin
2 Posted 27/08/2009 at 08:45:43

He’s an academy kid Jake Bidwell, not a signing. As Chris said he usually plays LB.

Ste Lewis
3 Posted 27/08/2009 at 10:22:09

Thanks Chris, I always enjoy this sort of read on our up-and-comers.

Peter Griffin
4 Posted 27/08/2009 at 10:23:04

Callum Hope, a young striker, is supposed to be a very good prospect at EFC.

Tom Campbell
5 Posted 27/08/2009 at 10:50:36

Hallum Hope

David O'Connor
6 Posted 28/08/2009 at 13:48:27

Thanks for the correction Tom,
Peter seems to get a bit confused with players concerning Everton. His supposed insider knowledge had us signing Steven Taylor and 2 other players 10 days ago..........

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