U23s draw 0-0 with Arsenal

It really is pathetic that neither the local paper's nor the club's website care that much about the U23s despite their fantastic record this season... although perhaps it's a direct response to the very clear lack of interest from the huge majority of Evertonians who aren't that fussed.

Playing matches in Southport and not Liverpool may be the biggest factor? But you have to believe that, if the whole enterprise was promoted more, the level of interest would increase in response.

Never mind, we're doing a great job at Everton in the Community, and that's all that really matters, eh? [Kicks soapbox away in disgust...]

Why the hell is not being played at Goodison Park?

18:02
Everton can go seven points clear at the top of Premier League 2 with a win against Arsenal at Southport tonight.

The Blues line up: Virginia, Astley, Galloway, Markelo, Feeney, Gibson, Bowler, Adeniran, Hornby, Sambou, Broadhead. Subs: Ouzounidis, Hewelt, Foulds, Denny, Gordon

19:20
News coming through from Blackburn Rovers that Brighton Under-23s have taken the lead. As it stands, the gap at the top is reduced to two points.

We were 4 points ahead of Brighton at start of play, 4 games each to play, including Brighton at home in April.

Last I heard Blackburn had drawn level with Brighton, which if it stays, is a decent result for us.

We need to beat Brighton at home and hopefully salvage some pride at U23-level from this lousy season.

Brighton pulled back to 2-2 by Blackburn after leading 2-0, so Everton remains 4 points clear of the Seagulls with 3 games to play.

Josh Bowler has apparently looked very good in last few games. And given Pickfords issues I'd be interested in having a look at Virginia, though he's only 19.

However as each position in the league table is worth just over ٟmillion I expect Silva will be under some pressure to finish in the top 10 rather than the bottom 10.

Given the losses we'll be making on outgoing sales in the summer, a few million extra might come in handy.

Many were very surprised by the impact Marcus Rashford has made, for example.

This team is on course to win their second Premier League 2 title in 3 years and I reckon a few of them have the ability to forge careers at the top level. Just difficult to know who until they are out there playing first-team games, week-in and week-out.

One thing is certain and that is Brands will have a good knowledge of them and will demand that the most promising are involved with the first team in pre-season. Where possible, he will be looking for first-team solutions from inside the club and I suspect we will see less spending this Summer than we have seen in the last few years.

I expect Feeney and Holgate to replace Jagielka and Williams. Robinson to replace Baines. Dowell or Vlasic or Onyekuru to replace Mirallas. Virginia perhaps to replace Stekelenburg. Possibly even Baningime or Adeniran to replace Gueye.

A big sticking point may be whether Brands believes that Calvert-Lewin can develop into the striker we need or whether he feels he has to earmark 㿔m+ for that new striker. Recent comments from him suggest he may go the former path. Worth pointing perhaps out that Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin are the first and third highest scorers in the Premier League aged 21 or under.

It would be a vast overstatement to characterize the reports on Dowell as "consistently good"... he's been a part-timer at best for Sheffield and didn't get off the bench for their 2-0 win over Rotherham on Saturday. He has one goal and one assist this season, hardly burning the house down.

By contrast Holgate has been a 100% starter at right-back for West Brom, at least until this past Saturday when he missed the game with Ipswich through injury. His manager Darren Moore was sacked after the game despite the Baggies being 4th in the table.

Onyekuru has been hot and cold at Galatasaray with 11 goals in 33 games overall, 11 in 23 in the league. His two goals yesterday were his first in a couple of months. You can check him out here — he's #21 with the blond streak scoring the second and fourth goals. Very cool, no celebrations. https://www.beinsports.com/us/turkish-super-league/video/highlights-galatasaray-5-0-antalyaspor/1137045

I'm quite sure we'll bring Henry and Morgan back in this summer (if possible with Henry), but it wouldn't surprise me if we've seen the last of Kieran. He just doesn't make an impact.

Better to develop with real game time on loan or stay in the U23 set up and keep learning, playing, working hard.

I like Dowell. He reminds of Lallana who himself was a late bloomer. Not the quickest nor the strongest but learnt and practised against lower league opposition until Saints got promoted. He then had the confidence to and a manager that trusted him to learn and adapt.

Dowell needs to improve, be a little more direct at times but he has the tools to do it. He just needs to keep learning and have the belief. I think by the time he's 25/26 he could be a top player.

Similar with the majority of young players. The Premier League has improved both technically and physically which makes it harder for younger players plus the pressure on manager's who get no time to experiment.

This is seen at all teams. Mostly chronic injury problems are how youngster get their chance. Those who break through are usually physically advantaged, ie, vVery fast or exceptional.

He was saying that the Sheffield Utd manager has 5 players for 3 positions (I think) and mixes them up depending on fatigue and the opposition, so none of them expects to play every game. He also spoke of the lack of game time and how tired he was feeling towards the end of the first few matches.

He has been indifferent, Man of the Match to anonymous. However, he's played 9 times so far (I think) and will probably play at least another 6-8 times this season.

Anyone any idea what the shed Utd fans think of him?

His replacement, Duffy had a MotM appearance in their last game so it may be that Kieran has a fight on his hand to get back in the team and the fans' favour.