Everton U23s beaten by Hertha Berlin

Thanks for the correction.... I knew that! Good to respect the British heritage of the club's distant origins.

I see that it was also Athletic Club Madrid originally, developing from the Bilbao club, but they later evolved to adopt the Spanish form, Atlético. Not many people know that.

But then it gets even more interesting:

In 1941, a decree issued by Francisco Franco banned teams from using foreign names and the club became Atlético Aviacion de Madrid. In 1947, the club decided to drop the military association [with the Spanish Air Force] from its name and settled on its current name of Club Atlético de Madrid.

I guess the Basques in Bilbao refused to comply?

Hewelt, Jones, Foulds, Yarney, Feeney, Baningime, Broadhead, Henen, Evans, Holland, Dyson

Everton U23 subs: Renshaw, Duffus, Bainbridge, Donohue, Kiersey, Brewster, Bramall

Looking at the team, there may be one or two surprises in Sunday's squad at Southampton: no Kenny, Davies, Walsh or Connolly in tonight's team.

Anyway, Hertha were 3-0 up at half-time and the Blues responded by taking off Holland, Henen and Evans and replaced them with Duffus, Bainbridge and Kiersey... Reverted to three at the back and Gethin Jones pulled one back to make it 1-3. There's about 10 minutes left in the game.

Having been used to the command of games in recent years, our inability to retain possession and move forward with purpose and intent was frustrating. Matty Foulds was beaten with ease for two of the goals and Baningime for the other.

But Unsy showed his metal at half-time, taking off the passenger Holland plus Evans and Henen, playing 5 in midfield and generating some passion. Jack Kiersey, (fresh from annoying Man City fans on Saturday) was prominent in carrying the fight and well deserved his yellow card.

Gethin Jones scored a fine goal and our strikers, Dyson and Duffus, had chances they failed to take.

I can't imagine Unsy sacrificing this game unless Davies and Walsh and maybe Calvert-Lewis are playing some part at Southampton.

Probably more to do with physio's advice about needing rest. Hope I'm wrong but it's more likely they'll be playing against the Saints next Monday for the U23s.

Maybe there is a reason, I'd love to know what is was.

Unsy says he wanted to give fringe players a game but this seemed the wrong game for that as the continental teams we've played against in the last two years have been too strong for us and therefore they present good opposition to test our best team against.

Everton U23s: Hewelt; Jones, Robinson, Foulds, Feeney; Yarney (Henen 46'), Ledson, Baningime (Walsh 53'); Dyson, Evans (C Duffus 46') Charsley.
Subs not Used: Gray, Bainbridge, Holland, Broadhead.

Everton U23s: Hewelt, Jones, Foulds, Yarney, Feeney, Baningime, Broadhead, Henen (46' Kiersey), Evans (46' C Duffus), Holland (46' Bainbridge), Dyson.
Subs not used: Renshaw, Donohue, Brewster, Bramall.

None of those U23 'stars' mentioned above played in that game either.