The Mail Bag
Young Blood
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Last night my hometown of Chesterfield (in the deepest darkest corners of Derbyshire) played host to the England U-19s vs their German counterparts. It was only a quid a ticket so I wasn't expecting too much but my interest was piqued by the sight of two of our youngsters on show.
Shkodran Mustafi played the full 90 minutes for a strong Germany side, who clearly showed a higher technical capactiy than England. It wasn't quite 4-1 but they were more than worthy of a 1-0 win, and Mustafi looked comfortable throughout. He faced Ipswich's highly rated Connor Wickham in the first half and despite the presence he gave, Mustafi shut him out well and always looked good on the ball. In all fairness, England were poor but he dealt with everything in a composed manner and despite not being the biggest he looked good in the air.
The other Everton youngster was Luke Garbutt, the full-back who we poached from Leeds a while back. He came on for the last 20 minutes or so, with most of Germany's best football coming down that side from a tricky number 11. But Garbutt didn't really put a foot wrong and nullified the threat, as well as pushing on and putting some decent balls in the box, one of which really should have merited an equaliser. He also took all of the corners after he came on with some great delivery (he beat the first man!) so his style definitely seemed in the Baines mould.
All-in-all, Mustafi looks a great prospect and some time out on loan in one of the lower leagues would push him on well. With his smaller build though he might be better suited to full-back, but the potential's there. As for Garbutt, he definitely looks bright though has the issue of being up against one of our guaranteed starters in Bainesy. But maybe treated in the same way as Coleman was ? with a loan and then perhaps an advanced role ? would be a good option.
There's definitely some quality in the youth team and reserves... let's just hope that for those with the potential we're not waiting on injuries to throw them into the fray. COYB!
Adam McCulloch, Posted 09/02/2011 at 13:57:05
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It's funny, it used to be that reading pieces like this, I would just get excited about the prospect of seeing lads like these coming through to the first team and 'making it'.
Now, with our finances the way they are, I'm also thinking "If he's good, we might be able to get £8m for the other feller and slot him in there..." etc etc
Sad really.
Little Johnny come home from school and asked his Dad, "What's the difference between potentially and reality?"
His Dad said, "Come on son I will show you..." They went into the living room and asked the Mum, "Would you sleep with George Clooney for 3 million pounds?"
The mum answered "Yes"; They then asked the sister, "Would you sleep with Brad Pitt for 3 million pounds?" "Of course!" the sister replied.
The dad said, "There you are, son ? that's the difference between potentially and reality.
Son said, "Dad, I don't get it." Dad said, "Well, potentially, we are sitting on 6 million pounds... but in reality we are living with a pair of prozzies."
And that sums up the 2 Everton youngsters... potentially, the future is bright for them...but the reality is Moyes will ruin them ? just like he is ruining Rodwell and Baxter.
Thank you, Adam. Now, if we can find the next Rooney coming through....
Go back just a couple of years. Everyone said we had promising youngsters coiming through then. But what happened to them?
John Paul Kissock
Then:-
This kid was once tipped as the next big thing. He played regulary for Everton's reserves. Enjoyed regular England call ups at youth level. And even sat on the Everton bench a few times.
Now:-
Kissock is currently trying to relaunch his career playing for Blue Square Bet Conference side Southport.
John Irving
Then:-
Was Captain of the reserves. Won Reserve Player of The Year in two successive seasons.
Now:-
Currently playing for Welsh side Bala Town. Check out their web-site you will find him in the team line up.
Mark Hughes
Then:-
Actually made 3 appearances for Everton's first team. Held in high regard. Kind of like Shane Duffy is now.
Now:-
Seemed to be earning a decent lower league career with good spells at Northampton and then Walsall but was released last year and now appears to be out of the game.
Lee Molyneux
Then:-
Made his reserve team debut at 16. Was considered a free kick specialist. Won 26 caps playing for England U16, U17 and U18.
Now:-
Was released to Southampton on a free. Played 4 games for them before being released on a free to Plymouth. Where he played 9 games for them before being released and currently finds himself out of the game.
Then:-
Moyes poached this big strong yet quick striker from Oldham paying a fee which would increase with appearances. At the time both Moyes and the Oldham manager tipped Spencer for a big career.
Now:-
Was released to Rochdale where he flopped. Was released to Southend where he flopped. Now currently a substitute for Division 2 side Lincoln.
Nice and interesting report, Adam! Thanks.
It's a tough world.
How is it Moyes fault if the players are not good enough? At least Moyes has given the players a chance that they might not have got anywhere else because they are not good enough. It's not Moyes's fault that fans like to hype up young players way above their real ability.
It wasn't £10 million though. Other people win £10 or £12 million and I only get £6 million, it's fuckin rubbish. Then there was that woman in Ireland who won £80-odd million. It's not fuckin fair, I'm fed up with only winning £6 million and not more.
Do you do the lottery Dick?
On an aside, Adam, I would like to complain at your description of Chesterfield as being in the deepest darkest corners of Derbyshire. As a fellow resident of the wonderful town ? we are in a very prominent position, thank you!
I remember well a certain Martin Murray, an Irish superkid who achieved absolutely nothing.
Also, a few years back, didn't we have a promising Irish kid that we were pissed off about the fact Fulham poached him off us, and the fact that his dad let it happen even though he was an ex-Everton player? Could be wrong.
That would be Sean Doherty, who left the Everton Academy for the glories of Fulham back on 24 July 2001!!!
Where is he now???
Sean Doherty on the other hand thought he was getting a better deal at Fulham but he never played for them. He was released and played a few times for lower league side Accrington. But then in January 2007 he was released from Southport and as far as I can tell has spent the last 4 years out of the game. Tragic really because he's only 26 now. Wonder how much he regrets leaving Everton for Fulham now?
The reference to Barkley above was telling; Moyes mentioned him in an interview recently along with Rodwell, Coleman and their ilk, so I'm interested to see how he's going to recover.
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1 Posted 09/02/2011 at 15:33:00
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