Baines: Davies is Everton

I remember speaking to Tom, before he had played a first team game, and the thing that struck me most about him was how much he seemed to listen.

He seems like a very bright kid, with the world at his feet right now, and also has in abundance the thing that makes a good player, so much better. Davies possesses so much drive, and once he goes on the pitch, he looks like he doesn't give a fuck for anyone.

If you're given a chance, then take it.

He has epitomised this.

A sublime, exciting young player.

Michael Owen is as thick as two short planks (apologies for offending planks).

Did anyone hear the 5 minute RS propaganda on Radio 4 this morning, I had to stop my car to compose myself.

Some advice to Tom from an old Evertonian:

Don't pull your socks up; Don't get a hair cut.

He's Tom Davies
He's one of our own.

Arriving at the bus stop on Smithdown Road, Wavertree, the starman hadn't shown.Ordinarily it would have been 'Right Bobby lad, you're playing' but as it was the starman 2 kids were despatched to get him out of bed.

15 minutes later, a very sheepish Alan Whittle rolled up and I never got to play. Hopefully young Tom has just given this story another 20 years worth of legs... if I last that long.

As a pundit he's a bellend, along with most other kopite pundits! He should be restricted to talking about Liverpool, so proper fans have no reason to listen to him.

I'll put more weight behind my wife's opinion and she knows fuck all about football!

A redshite cousin called me after the game on Sunday. Said Davies looks like the new Gerrard. I said no! Davies has more class!

Michael Owen and Co! If you listen and take on board what these has-beens have to say you are as daft as they are. I've said this many a time: they are either tried and tested abject failures or never had the guts to take on a manager's or coaching roll. The media is saturated with these guys. Very very few are worth listening to.

Let Tom do his thing, accept that he will play poorly at times, accept some poor decision-making, and please let's not find a world class player to compare him too and judge him on that player.

To back up my point I'd like to point out Ross had 2 great assists the other day, plus put the same run in as Tom for his goal (just without the ball), ensuring Tom was backed up to score the goal. He also played a great pass for Rom who missed a little chip, plus put Mirallas in for another good chance.

That's at least 4 one on one chances Ross created v City without any real recognition.

I agree that the day belongs to Tom, but please remember Ross is a young man himself and let's not apply too much pressure to our little gems as all the big clubs are hovering just waiting to take them.

Davies did not stand out by any means in footballing terms though he was easily remembered due to his image. Holgate didn't stand out either. If these are the type of games that Michael Owen is basing his opinion on, then he doesn't have a leg to stand on.

Some lads are exceptional at underage and never make it, some lads progress slowly and become stars later. There is no rhyme or reason to it and if Michael Owen believes he can map out a young players career based on his underage performances then he's even more of a tube than I thought (apologies to all tubes).

Goes to show that some people can accept the challenge; some can't.

Lastly, Michael Owen is a tool – not worth listening to anything he's got to say.

I don't want to overstate things, but, like Gana, he's got fire in his belly, and reminds me of Alan Ball and Peter Reid.

Who's really bothered what Owen says? He got famous for his skills with a football, not for his analytical and forecasting abilities.

Every successful team needs players who do the hard work for the superstars. Davies has the potential to be our Busquets or Makelele.

The lad deserves a good run in the team ahead of the more senior players.

Wenger will be quite happy that Arsenal haven't conceded.

He looks like a footballer.

It's a good run, but it's a poor run if you know what I mean?

Footballers these days often have to use their feet.

They're outswarming them.

Alderweireld played really well for Tottenham last year, let's hope he can transfer that form to Spurs this season.

That would've been a goal had it been inside the post.

You have to believe your own eyes, don't you?

It's hit the facial part of his head there.

To score a goal, for me, you need two headers.

That's a fantastic penalty, but he'll be gutted it went wide.

If there's a bit of rain about, it makes the surface wet.

There's many more but I will leave it at that for now!

And as for the Kopite who compared Davies to Steeeeevie G... Bollocks – he didn't dive once.

But I would caution against playing him to often, yes its tempting to say play him every game but that's a lot to ask of an 18 year old playing in the position he does. I have seen so many young players come through at Everton and many started like they would be the real deal but sadly very few materialised into top players. I don't include Rooney in that group. Again it's much easier to start up front as a young player.

These lads are players we will be able to enjoy for many many seasons to come just lets make sure that they are not overly used so young. Also, the expectations on Tom from some supporters will expect that type of performance every week. This won't happen yet and I would think it unfair to put him under that kind of pressure too early.

Prior to 2015-16 season I went to watch an Everton X1 (U18s/U21s) play Wrexham. That day for me 3 players stood out from the rest, 2 being Antonee Robinson & Liam Walsh. Both looked really good players with plenty of football ability.

The other player who stood out for me was Tom Davies. He didn't look to have anywhere near the ability or skill levels of the other two but you couldn't help notice him as he stood out with his mop of blonde hair but his fitness level and enthusiasm was terrific. I didn't know what position he was playing but he was everywhere on the pitch.

Obviously he has improved and developed his skill and ability levels since then and I truly hope he continues to do so and plays for us for many seasons.

Sometimes in any chosen walk of life people just step up to meet and then excel above the level required of them, so I would attach no significance to Davies and Holgate not excelling in the mini derby. Both have clearly shown they are Premier League quality.

I know someone who is an MK Dons supporter and he told me Dele Alli wasn't particularly outstanding in League 1, then he stepped up, and the rest is history.

Just can't wait for the game when Davies gets the ball outside his own box goes sprinting upfield stops and sits on the ball...

Here we go – let's test my memory as I can actually remember Bally doing the "sit on the ball" against West Brom - we were 4-1 up at half time, Albion got it back to 4-4 but we managed a winner – TFFT!

Is my memory still "behaving" for you fellow old bastards out there?

"Tom Davies, Superstar!
looks like Jesus,
hes better than Neymar!"

I'll get me cloak!

Seriously, considering who he was up against in the middle of the park on Sunday, it was an immense, imperious display, and he didn't look out of place. Keep it up, Son!

I am sure he will have good and bad days going forward, and as fans we need to get behind him and the rest of the lads, instead of getting on players backs as soon as a single pass goes astray.

Yes, I remember that. We always seemed to have plenty of goals against WBA.

Until the '68 FA Cup Final when they kicked us all over Wembley

It's one excellent performance and I agree with those that say we shouldn't pile the pressure on, but the signs are definitely there of a gem with this lad.

The man who has made the same claim about music? That he doesn't 'get' music.

Those statements alone prove that he's completely disconnected from the rest of the human race, so I certainly won't be listening to his opinions on our boy Davies.

The midfield that day was run by Joe Williams and Liam Walsh. Conor Grant was very disappointing being older than those.

Then the news came that he had been chosen by Dewsnip to train with England seniors one day, I thought it a bit much. About a year later, playing for the reserves, the kid was unrecognisable. Brilliant and indeed popping up all over the pitch due to freakish fitness.

Put it this way, Davies leapt over Grant, Williams and Ledson in the pecking order, and those are some talented kids.

I am going to call it early and say, injuries aside, Davies will be a great player for us. Already picking up a few MotMs at 18, his desire is there for all to see and now we know he has talent (the 'Davies chop') and fearlessness.

On a side note; the introduction of Davies should be a game changer for Ross too. I love Barkley as he is capable of things most players can't imagine but I long ago accepted he lacks the mental fortitude (unlike Tom) to be truly 'great'. He seems lacking natural confidence (which is ridiculous considering his talent) and obviously feels the expectations of the crowd too much. Not any more. Now we have a new hero to fawn over, Ross can shed the burden of expectation and quietly go about being brilliant.

His two cute passes on Sunday. His pirouette pass in the box to set up Lukaku for a potential 4th – this is Ross at his best. The more unencumbered he is with Tom drawing the plaudits the better he will play.

But back to Davies – best of luck to the lad, he is a pure joy to watch and that goal is keeping me smiling for days now.

Let's hope all the youngsters can ease the pressure on each other.

Tom strikes me as an old fashioned, energetic, never-say-die midfielder. Attributes our pedestrian team badly craves. Boundless energy, and enthusiasm, with lots of ability, tigerish competitiveness,and the wits and wherewithal to use his talents to the full potential he has been blessed with. It's clear to me that he is as bright as a button – you don't need GCSE's to be that. You can see it in his eyes.

Ross has the talent to be a genius. When playing at his intuitive best, he can see a pass that few others anticipate or could even contemplate. His reverse pass to put Rom in near the end on Sunday made the hairs on my neck stand up. But, I think he struggles when he has to think about his game.

He also fails to use his considerable size to any real advantage. He should strike the fear of God into opponents, but doesn't. Frankly, I don't think he is that bright, but what a talent!

It will take very careful and sensitive leadership, from management and captaincy, to bring out the best in Ross, because alone I doubt he is up to it. He needs that help. I don't think, on the other hand, we can have any worries about young Tom Davies fulfilling his considerable potential.

And football is full of opinions. FFS, Stones was going to be the next Bobby Moore.

Anyhow, good luck and good health to young Davies. Let's hope that the jokers above us in the league don't attempt to turn his head. I somehow don't think that they will.

And let's hope that this kid along with others can kick this Everton team on to silverware ...and about time to.

Early days. But this lad could just be an Everton captain in the making. Come On You Blues the kids have shown the way ..NSNO.

I'm as keen as anyone for him to fulfil what he might be able to become.

BUT, I hope he's not burdened with being the next messiah, and that we expect genius, week-in & week-out. Let him learn, make mistakes, occasionally being crap, dropped etc without the usual Bluenose witch hunt. (Ebbrell, Hibbo, Osman, Ross – recent TWers saying we should flog him – as being some examples)

It's good being a Blue this week, but next week might be different if fat Sam suddenly gets a reaction from Palace, so we need to be balanced either winning or losing.

He'd look back in anger!

It is almost inevitable that he will have bad days (and God forbid injuries) but as he is only 18, as far as I'm concerned, he has a free pass for a couple of years not least because we've already seen the level he is capable of performing to.

Since the tail end of last season, a few of us have been clamoring for his inclusion on the basis that he wouldn't look out of place in the first team. We couldn't have been more wrong – frankly the kid is standing out!

I personally think you're right to worry about us expecting weekly genius but wrong to worry that he will be burdened by it. The boy's self-belief is rock solid and his work-ethic exceptional.

There are no guarantees in this game but what blows my mind is knowing that there are at least two other players with the same temperament behind him: Kenny and Walsh (Kenny in particular could play for us today with the same level of fearlessness and pride, Walsh – we'll see how he gets on back from injury).

Then there are the quieter ones who are playing to an exceptional level of consistency for the U23s like Charsley who deserves a run-out at some point. Dowell is re-finding his consistency and Connolly will show his worth at Wigan.

It would be slightly mad to pitch them in together but I'd love them to get the chance to showcase their talents over the remainder of the season.

On another thread, it was mentioned that it maybe was a result of the young lads and I wouldn't disagree. Tom was a worthy MotM and Ross not far behind.

Anyone see what Rodney Marsh was saying a few weeks ago? ... that he doesn't think Davies will be up to much and likened him to Jack Grealish! He also never shuts up about Ross needing to move to Spurs or another 'bigger team' as he puts it... what a tool.

Not having a go, Peter, just putting the record straight, and hopefully Joe can get back into his form when he comes back.

Said it before, use our young talent before blowing loads of dosh on over-rated show ponies dreaming of a move to China.

Let's do Palace, eh, lads... then we can really push on.

We have got some great kids coming through in the 18-19 age group. Have you seen or heard of any in the 16-17 age group?

Unfortunately I didn't go to Goodison last night for the U23's game versus Reading as I go out on a Monday night with my gang. We are all in out late seventies, so I hope the youth games are not on a Monday night.

If they are on a different night to a Monday, I will go and have a good look at them.

Tom was standing by the dugout before the game, not being in the starting line-up or even on the bench. I walked down to the wall, and gestured in his direction for a signature (he must have thought I was calling for the bill for a moment).

He came over and sod's law my pen went on strike. At that moment, the team were walking off to get ready for the kick-off but Tom persevered with the pen and eventually got it going. He could quite as easily just have given up and walked away. Good man.

Used to love them on a walk around town.
Can't do the hangovers anymore mate.

Injuries can be so wretched for the youngsters as you never know when opportunity will knock. It is probably the rapid progress of Davies and Williams that meant Ledson was allowed to leave, something I never guessed was coming. Thankfully Walsh is back playing, any news on Williams?

Doubt if you could do that today because of the pace of the game, but it certainly impressed me at the time!

Long may they continue.

Michael Fuckin Owen would seem sensible if he drank with you lot!

I was reminded of the Cup semi last season when Ross was shown coming off the field and being comforted by Jags, who was reassuring him that the crowd was showing their discontent generally and not just at him. Somehow I don't see young Tom giving two shiny shites.

I hope this is the case because I think you need that mindset at this level. As others have alluded to, he reminded me very much of a young Alan Ball on Saturday, with his Uncle's hair on!

Predictions at this stage are obviously pure guesswork (so daft) but I hope he becomes the type of player we all dream about seeing – in my case, that player would be an Alan Ball or a Peter Reid.

That's of course a lot to ask, but I remember in one of those pre-season games (MK Dons?) when there was a lot of casual ambling around from most of our players ("I'm not gettin' injured against these") but not him.

In fact on a couple of occasions, his tackles made me think "Oooh you nasty little get."

That isn't an insult by the way, in fact quite the reverse.

I love a player who truly detests losing and would run through his own nan to get to a ball and the early signs are Tom Davies might be one of these.

It's certainly the type of player/s we've been missing for a long time.

Anyway, I can dream.

He is a high energy ball winner who is confident anywhere on the pitch and who fights for every inch of it.

Given time, patience, a humble attitude and training he might be better than the aforementioned.

Looks like we might finally be getting out of second gear.

His ball into space for Mirallas to set up the opener was, for me, as joyful to watch as his goal.

"If you get it wrong, you look like you're stating the obvious, or just filling the silence, and if you get it really wrong, you sound like you're not even watching the same game as the viewing public. If you get it really, really wrong, you're probably Michael Owen."

Even so, Owen's never going to win a 'stupidest man in Britain' award while Rodney Marsh is around.

In their few appearances so far for the 1st team, both Holgate and Davies showed glimpses they may just be of the mentality Eugene references, players who hate losing and would go through their own nan to get the ball.

On Sunday, between the 3rd and 4th goals, who like me enjoyed it when Sterling slyly left one on Davies, how both Tom and Holgate confronted him? Even though, for Holgate, he was already on a yellow card.

More of that please boys. Show the opposition we are not going to meekly roll over and have our bellies tickled and that – as in the all-conquering side of the 80s – we have 'avengers' and 'enforcers' who will look after their mates in the team.

I still blame those brand new Puma boots they all wore.

Just as I imagine you both.

Let's not drown the lad with the burden of expectation. That is what your saying. But bloody hell... let's enjoy the moments.

Run at them, Ross.

Young Tom's face as he's walking off the pitch at the end with Baines. Pure joy, grinning like the proverbial Cheshire Cat, looking like I imagine I would look if I'd scored in a 4-0 demolition job on Man City at Goodison Park (just with more hair).

He's one of us!

I could just Imagine Michael Owen in my company after he's been with the pensioners Dave – even his head would be fuckin spinnin!

My head is spinning when I'm with you, and that's when you're sober.

That punch by the way seems to take a second to register.

It's like he thinks about it first (then goes down like Gillian Taylforth)

The best bit about young Mr Davies goal against Moneybags City? When he threw himself into the Gwladys Street. Loved it.

More promotions from the youth setup and less £££££ foreign mercenaries please Everton.

It's a spoof.

As Abraham Lincoln said, "Don't believe everything on the internet."

No point spunking money on untried and untested players from foreign climbs when we're sitting on a pool of talent who know what Everton's about and what Evertonians want to see.