Everton hope to stave off interest in youngster

I watched Joe last season but he wasn't a player to immediately catch my eye in the way Dowell or Walsh and others did but I did note he hit a long ball with accuracy. He's stood out more to me this year and I've paid more attention to him especially after Usworth spoke favourably about him. He has lots of energy, is always involved in the play at both ends, knows how to tackle and proof of his worth is that his seems to be one of the first names on the team sheet. I'd be disappointed if he wanted to move on but I can't see him wanting to lower his standards.

Tough, physical lad. Good player.

Two years ago I went to watch our under 18s wrest the title from Man City. I wrote a player by player report of what I saw and have found it from the archives, see below:

Actually got down to see this; first time in a long time that I've been able to see any of our youth teams in action.
A few thoughts:

1) Noticeable that the young lads were also trying to play it out from the back "“ good to see!

2) Unfortunately, very little penetration from us. At times it looked a bit like a weird hybrid of a Martinez team and a Moyes team, ie, we were comfortable in possession and were calm throughout. Yet there was too big a gap between a very immobile, blunt instrument of a striker (Duffus) and our midfield. There wasn't much pace in the final third and we got banks of four behind the ball when not in possession "“ but crucially, in the second half began pressing.

3) This was a triumph of excellent teamwork "“ they were tireless. Whereas City had a couple of big-time charlies with poor attitudes. Their number 5 and number 6 were horrible, gobby kids, arguing with the ref about everything, dirty in the tackle and at one point one of them lashed out at one of our lads.

4) The substitutions of Donohue and Brewster made a big difference up front as we started to get in behind "“ which was not happening at all under Duffus (who reminded me quite a bit of Anichebe in terms of the way he played, unfortunately).

5) Charsley and our number 6 (can't remember his name) worked their socks off all game and really started to add to the attack in the second half (particularly Charsley).

6) Thorniley looks a very solid centre-half; he won everything and had very good positioning. However he does seem to lack pace which could be a problem (see Duffy).

7) Keeper had a few ropey moments but kept us in the running time and time again.

8) This was my personal highlight!! Our number 8 Joe Williams is some player. For me he has to be a nailed on star of the future. He reminded me of Toni Kroos. He sat deep, dictating play, dropping in among the centre-backs (Ã la Barry) and had the most incredible range of passing. Every pass was hit with a wonderful fade. So much technique, and his reading of the game was extraordinary. Could stick a boot in too! Rarely have I seen a youngster read the game so well. I would be really surprised if he doesn't make it to the top.

Congrats lads; you deserve it COYB!!

In short, although not normally the kind of youngster who catches the eye, being a defensive midfielder, he had a real class about him. A few people I speak to who regularly go to U21 games this season say he is starting to dominate them. I also saw an article in the Echo where Unsworth was saying the same thing.

We absolutely have to keep this lad - he may not catch the eye like Rooney or Barkley but could go on to become one of the best players we have produced.

John / Adam. Many thanks. There was a time when Unsy would bring Joe on to add a bit more steel to the midfield but your observations force me to see him in a different light. Very interesting indeed.

Sounds like we could use him now, to help close out a game.

Adam (3) yes agree with most of that, I was at the game and Williams had a good game, but don't remember him being as great as yourself, but certainly one to remember.

Whatever City were in that game, they were a lot better than Everton, so I am surprised you say the goalkeeper Russell Griffiths had a few ropey moments, he was the main reason we won the game, he was captain and produced brilliant save after save, although he is out on loan now, I'd have no hesitation in playing him now instead of the present one.

And if that sounds ridiculous it is no more ridiculous than the continueing selection of Howard.

I've not seen as much of the youngsters as I would have liked but I saw the full game against the RS that finished 3-3 and I think our midfield consisted of Williams, Grant, Walsh, McAleny out wide and I think young Evans floating about.

Grant was next to useless, a massive disappointment considering his experience compared to the others. Ditto McAleny but he was out of position and did eventually score.

Evans was classy but muscled out; replaced by the highly-rated Tom Davies who scored but was overall pretty raw in terms of technique. Walsh made plenty of mistakes in the first half but came good by the end and never gave up.

The stand out player though was....Joe Williams. Somebody I'd heard next to nothing about. He scored a deflected goal to get us back into the game after being 3-0 down and showed all round competence in tackling, passing and possession. Good attitude too I thought.

Will he be a world beater? Who knows but I should think worth keeping hold of for the time being.