Foxes too good for Unsworth's U23s

Unsy’s team seem to have been stopped in their tracks this season. He’s not been able to continue the last two years dogged defending coupled with grabbing a couple of goals.
His two centre halves, Feeney and Gibson, not so long ago being touted as potential 1st teamers have had a tough season with injuries, and form, and the likes of youngsters, John, Kyle, Markelo, Simms and Adeniran just haven’t kicked on to the next level.

Anthony Gordon continues to star at times but then goes missing for large periods of matches. He’s training with the 1st team but hasn’t done enough to be given a try. That’s not been helped with the form, league position of the 1st team being conducive to give youngsters a go. The signs are worrying that our academy, U21’S and those we have on loan aren’t being seen as potential first team players at all. Where’s it going wrong ?

On top of all this Unsy must now be considering what his own future is, after missing out on the caretaker manager role, which he’s done twice before, and coupled with the failure of not producing first team youngsters.

Yes, Mike, the U23s were really poor last night. Not until the final stages of the game did they start to threaten, having been under the cosh for most of the game. If it hadn't been for Con Ouzounidis' many tackles and blocks, we'd surely have conceded a shed-full. Having said that they have sorely missed Feeney and Gibson lately.

Gordon disappointed again last night. Not the finished product, by a long way. As you say, the others you list haven't kicked on fully (though Simms has only really stepped up to the U23s this season).

Interesting shift from 4-4-2 to a back 3 the last few games - and for most of those games ending up as 5-4-1.

Where’s it all gone wrong indeed. Unsworth no longer the iconic inspirational leader of boys? No smoke without fire... The Academy is now broken... it needs a complete rebuild.

Hmm... I wonder why that would be??

Agreed that at all the junior levels the standards this season have ebbed and injuries considered and transfers there’s a trend this season.

Transition seasons for some teams but this parallels with the inconsistency of the whole club.

The main job of the Everton Under-23s is to play for Everton first team, because most Everton fans will forget the Under-23s winning the PL2. But the fans do care about Under-23s playing for the first team.

Gordon training with the first team, and playing with the reserves surely isn't very helpful. Surely results in a loss of connection.

Any others training with the first team?

But the club is needing a complete revamp, youth teams to first team and boardroom.

Michael it's not just the u23s, which we knew would struggle after losing so many of the championship winning side, it's the u18s too. They started well, smashing everyone they played. But they've lost a few now, and lost heavily. The whole academy is in a mess.

Fran, nothing wrong with Gordon playing for the u23s. Virginia did it successfully last season. Gordon needs games, but would benefit from training with the first team and not the u23s. If his performances for the u23s suffer, so beit, as long as he keeps developing in training with the first team.

Sooner or later we just have to take the plunge and give him a game.

Sorry, others? yes. Denis Adeniran, Beni Baningime, Lewis Gibson and on occasion Morgan Feeney. There was shots on Sky Sports News of Ellis Simms with the first team yesterday. The defenders and midfielders are clearly there to make up the numbers, but it gives them a chance to impress and to learn.

Under18’s losing 1-0 to Newcastle after fifteen minutes.

Are you there, Dave? (Sounds spooky, that! Knock three times, Dave!). Are you at the game, Dave?

Cheers, Dave. Dobbin kicks on!

Brent (11) yes, it usually works after you give him a carrot.!!!