Fan Comment Tom Davies: Our Serviceable Number Six Gabriel Ricci 08/02/2021 127comments | Jump to last Tom Davies, an honest look at our serviceable 22-year-old Premier League player as he is performing today... along with a quick glimpse into what might hopefully be his Everton future.After settling down from an epic clash at the Old Trafford on the weekend, fans can rightfully say “Tom Davies was actually quite decent against Man Utd." It is no secret Tom Davies has seen a boost in playing time thanks to Allan's unfortunate hamstring injury versus Leicester City 2 months ago. Allan has a world-class level of quality and intelligence, topped with a menacing work-rate, so his return will be welcomed with open arms. That said, fans must admit that the 22-year-old Tom Davies has done an admirable job filling in for the Brazilian Number 6. Tom has made some frustrating plays while filling in for Allan. Although, with every misplaced pass, poor touch, or low IQ play, which every player is guilty of at times, murmurs of “Championship player" can be heard from an ever so shrinking section of fans. The vocal minority continue to doubt and target Tom for reasons only known to them. This is a tired take that needs to be put to bed. A total of 5 goals and 4 assist in 118 Premier League appearances does not scream “walk-on starter" but, in those 118 fixtures, he has been a contributor to a solid record of 54 wins, 28 draws and 36 losses. Breaking down this season, Tom has a 9-1-2 record, totaling 13 appearances so far. What separates this season from others for Tom is the fact that he is just beginning to carve out a modest role and an identity for himself within a competitive and ambitious Everton side. Tom has done an excellent job displaying his discipline this season. He is not selfishly stepping outside the current boundaries of his role by bombing up the field in attack, taking long shots, or attempting Hollywood passes like James Rodriquez or André Gomes. This is showcasing his maturity, tactical intelligence, and professionalism as he is clearly committed to the greater success of the team by happily participating in what some might call “the dirty work". These duties include breaking up play in the midfield, covering for the full-backs when they are caught too high on an opposition counter-attack, and quickly moving the ball on for André Gomes and James Rodriquez who love to send the breakout ball. When successful, these breakout passes tend to be sent to the left side of the pitch where Richarlison can receive the ball and attack open space with his dribbling ability. If not Richarlison, it's Lucas Digne, who can deliver a killer cross into the box. It's not the most spectacular role within the current squad's game-plan for Tom but it is needed and, at this point in time, the 22-year-old is quite serviceable in his contributions. 'Serviceable' is the perfect word to describe Tom this season. To keep it simple, he is trusted by a world-class manager to provide a specific service to a Premier League side with European aspirations. Perhaps he will continue to progress and will be asked to fulfill a new role in the future. In the meantime, Evertonians should just be happy for his progression as a footballer, as it is clear he is becoming a better player under Carlo Ancelotti. Let's have a quick look at the basis of Tom Davies's strengths. His above-average close ball control and footwork can improve even more; he enjoys making angled passes through gaps and he does not mind getting stuck in to a challenge. If Tom can reach the height of his potential, it is looking like he could eventually develop into a solid Number 6 type player. Luckily for us, Allan is one of the best at this position so it will be very interesting to see how much knowledge Tom can soak up from the Brazilian these next couple years. Allan's contract runs its course on 30 June 2023; Tom Davies would be celebrating his 25th birthday that very day. If we would like to think wishfully, it would be great for Everton if Tom would be ready to fill in for the Brazilian to a much higher level than he currently has during the injury spell, upon Allan's contract expiry. Time will tell, of course, as the crystal-ball gazing into Tom's future at Everton is still quite blurry. Getting back to reality, no player is immune from fair criticisms, especially not Tom Davies... but, all things considered, it is time to move on from the 'Championship' label. This take has been proven to be dishonest through 118 fixtures with a winning record to boot. As fewer fans make this claim, it will only come off as spiteful towards a young man attempting to live out his dream of being an important figure for a club he grew up adoring. Players such as Tom can become an extension of the fans on the pitch, as academy players truly know what it means to wear the badge and possess a genuine love for the club; let's hope Tom can live out his dream. Share this article Reader Comments (127) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Dale Self 1 Posted 08/02/2021 at 21:27:39 Several key tackles in the first half along with his positional awareness this game has me believing in him. It may have just been a lack of confidence that kept him from the kind of performance I hope we all enjoyed yesterday. The give and go with Digne that played him forward for the through ball to Calvert-Lewin in the lead-up to first goal was exactly the kind of swashbuckling midfielder play we need. I'm still getting used to the no-stash beard look he occasionally shows but, if he can put in a shift like that regularly, he could wear the manbun and I'm with that. Martin Mason 2 Posted 08/02/2021 at 21:39:32 Tom has developed into a very fine player and is improving as many players in that key midfield position do over time as it is very much experience based. I'm so sorry that he is still the target of our reprehensible TW boo boys but I don't believe that it will stop his continuing rise. Carlo understands his value to the club and that is all that matters. Unlike the boo boys, Carlo knows something about football. Robert Tressell 3 Posted 08/02/2021 at 21:59:55 Really good piece, Gabriel. I think midfielders in the UK are often judged on their athleticism and statistics. Tom doesn't score too high on either count. But he does do a very important job by blocking passing lanes and recycling possession. He will need to develop even more to become a nailed-on starter when everyone is fit. But with more through balls like the one at Old Trafford he may yet do it. Jay Wood[BRZ] 4 Posted 08/02/2021 at 22:08:03 A good honest interview with Tom post-match at Old Trafford.Tom Talking About His FormAnd you are right about him learning from Allan, Gabriel. This is another interview earlier in the season in which he calls Allan 'brilliant'.Tom Studies Allan to Improve His Own GameHe is in a rich vein of form, but some will never be convinced. Even before the first half was out, a poster on the match day thread berated him, saying anyone picked randomnly from the Park End could do better.It was refreshing, then, to see on the same thread many naming Tom as their MoTM.He is increasingly becoming a real asset to the squad. And at 22, as you say, plenty of room for improvement still. Will Mabon 5 Posted 08/02/2021 at 22:30:38 Often missed in the fault-finding slant of some (whilst acknowledging Davies has things to improve, plus limitations, like all) is the fact that some excellent through balls have featured in his game. Like any player trying to create something, it doesn't always come off. Danny O’Neill 6 Posted 08/02/2021 at 22:45:07 Very articulately put, Gabriel. I've been frustrated with Tom on many occasion. I don't think I've called him a Championship player, although I am more than happy to be called out on a frustrated rant.My issue with Tom previously has been his erratic passing and giving away possession as well as the silly fouls. But then as a midfielder, if you look up and the options aren't there, what are you supposed to do?So, let's stick up for the lad. He was playing in a pretty average side. Maybe now, he is benefiting from playing in a better side. And, as alluded to, having better, more experienced players (Allan) to train with, deputise for or play alongside, will surely improve him. We are seeing that now.It's a squad game now more so than ever. A healthy blend of experienced awl-arses like Allan to mentor the young potential like Tom is a much better place to be than having all our expectation on him.I've called Tom out as being a decent squad player to keep for now. I think we can do better if we want to progress to greater heights but if he develops into something that saves us have to hammer the bank account to do so, As I say, I'm happy to be called out and more important, I would be delighted for him and Everton. Peter Warren 7 Posted 08/02/2021 at 22:49:46 Still young with time to obviously improve and get much better. To me he seems very average. I suppose after such a great start to his career perhaps too much expected of him. Hopefully he will kick on, I thought he had a good game Saturday, nothing better, nothing worse. Ultimately consistency is what you need. I must say I was surprised by his stats. One thing I will give him credit for and I consider his greatest attribute is that he never ever hides. I also think he's still trying to find his identity and position on the pitch and can't have been helped with multitude of managers and being so young so I think it's not as easy as saying he's played over 100 games so we should know how good he is by now. I'm happy to be patient and see how he develops over the next 50 or so games. Mike Corcoran 8 Posted 08/02/2021 at 23:54:05 118 games is just 4 games over 3 whole league seasons. So the season average would be around 60 points. That is not shabby. Dick Fearon 9 Posted 08/02/2021 at 00:11:21 I am not comparing Tom with one of our all-time greats but I remember another slightly built midfielder with unlimited stamina and enthusiasm who also made his full share of misplaced passes. Many's the time in post-match debate, I would fiercely debate critics of those shortcomings. My argument was that his massive input to the team effort and sheer volume of passes far out weighed what his detractors claimed.It may be an inconvenient truth yet it is an undeniable fact that over the years the game has seen a huge improvement in players' fitness and technical ability in all positions except midfield and particularly defensive midfield where the required criterion is basically the same kind of hard working enthusiastic input. Jerome Shields 10 Posted 09/02/2021 at 00:25:16 Davies was MotM. He has improved a lot with Ancelotti's coaching and at 22 has a lot of experience under his belt. As stated in the article, he is more contained in his play and under Ancelotti is likely to improve further. Danny Broderick 16 Posted 09/02/2021 at 00:25:45 I'm pleased Tom seems to be modelling his game on Allan. His emergence has coincided with a very unsettled first team, with perhaps the most affected part of the team being the midfield. Fancy being a young lad trying to learn your trade alongside Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson! At times I don't think he knew himself whether he was to be a defensive midfielder, or an attacking midfielder, or somewhere between the two. He wasn't helped by countless new managers, all with different ideas on how we should play. We all know he's a defensive midfielder now. Davies will be a very good squad man. Leon Osman was on loan at Derby County at the same age, and he went on to have a fine career at Everton. There is room for Tom to improve further, if he does he could be a first team player. He is obviously behind Allan at the minute, but there will be games where we shut up shop, and Davies has shown against Leicester that he can come off the bench and help to see a game out for us. He's doing really well at the minute. Don Alexander 17 Posted 09/02/2021 at 01:21:07 To me, the lad isn't sufficiently fast, physical, skilful or tall enough, in that order, for a trophy-winning team. People rightly cite comparison with Osman and they're bang on the money because Leon wasn't either.There's not much Tom can do about these attributes. If we're to progress he'll be out of the door very soon though, just as Uncle Alan was (not that Whittle or us ever progressed at all in the '70s admittedly). Darren Hind 18 Posted 09/02/2021 at 02:01:45 I don't think Allan comes close to world class. I fully expect us to lose games again when he is back. His game is seriously flawed. He cannot resist going hunting for the ball, He will always leave that gap between himself and a defence which is reluctant to move up the pitch behind him. I also think he lunges too much and I will be amazed if this is the last of his hamstring problems.As for Tom, I love him. I love his determination to prove the doubters wrong. He has long since demonstrated that he is more than a Championship player. Can he take the next step to being a player who can be first choice for a top ten Premier League manager?... That's a big ask. He lacks the athleticism of most of his opponents and doesn't quite have enough skill to make up for it.I think he is a better player than, say, Alan Harper was at his age. Harper proved to be a fantastic player to have around. Tom may not be the most talented midfield player, but he is a manager's dream. He does what he is asked to do and his positional sense belies his age. He can play in several positions too.I'd love to see him stay and become our modern-day Alan Harper. Gary Sedgwick 19 Posted 09/02/2021 at 02:04:22 To me, he is developing into a "Lee Carsley" type of player, the one that does what is needed without needing the limelight. Alan J Thompson 20 Posted 09/02/2021 at 03:15:23 It has been said that the worst thing Tom Davies ever did was score "that goal" against Man City but, to me, the little move that left two of their experienced players for dead and then forced a third out to body check him, the ref played on and Barkley screamed at him to get up and played him in to score with all the coolness in the world, showed what Tom is capable of and his true potential.Since then, under various managers, he seems to have been told not to try little moves of skill which might see him lose the ball in a critical position and to play as a more defensive midfielder; the days seem to be gone when midfield was expected to be able, and encouraged, to do both.My own hope is that we've seen the last of one-trick managers (some with less) and while given a particular job in the team is encouraged not only to learn from other players but to demonstrate the full range of skills I believe he has. Ian Jones 21 Posted 09/02/2021 at 04:39:25 I think, as with many of our players down the years, there is a lot of potential with Tom Davies. With the current policy appearing to be one of rotation, sometimes with the team selected based on the opposition, I don't see Tom being first-choice every match.If he's happy to be at Everton and be part of an overall squad looking to develop, then that can only be good. However, I feel we need to be in a better position to challenge for trophies for the rotational policy to work long-term in terms of keeping some players happy and at the club.Lastly, when Tom is having an off day, I am reminded that he was chosen to train with the full England squad when he was about 16 years old and was well thought of, so assume people with far better knowledge of the game than me saw something in Tom. Steve Shave 22 Posted 09/02/2021 at 07:08:10 Darren - your support of Tom Davies is admirable. I for one am pleased for him, he works hard, shows for the ball and as mentioned above, has done a job in various positions this season. I hope he continues to kick on and improve as he has this season. Let's face it, it all went a bit stagnant for him over the last few seasons. I am sure that is not all entirely his fault either. Agree that he can become our Harper, a utility midfielder who is ever ready, who is not on astronomical wages but a part of the furniture. I do believe that we will have to sell a central midfielder in the summer (Delph please!), probably along with Holgate, in order to fund transfers in positions we need, ie, striker, right-midfielder and right-back. If Carlo and Marcel get those purchases spot-on, I really do think we will be top 4 material next season. The FA Cup will have to do this year, I suppose! Kevin Prytherch 23 Posted 09/02/2021 at 07:56:55 Tom's issue is that he is good at everything, but outstanding at none. He can make a tackle, pick a pass, get around the pitch, intercept, be disciplined or more creative but he doesn't excel in any area. Therefore he'll always be asked “What is he good at?â€.He is a good all-round midfielder. Christy Ring 24 Posted 09/02/2021 at 08:17:52 Tom was really good against Man Utd as a defensive midfielder, and his natural position is attacking midfielder, which he hasn't got a chance to play there. He needs an extended run in the team, and he can only learn from Allan. Martin Berry 25 Posted 09/02/2021 at 08:21:04 I think there are far too many impatient posters who expect players to be the finished article by their early 20s. Calvert-Lewin was a prime example but this season's goal tally has had people choking on their tongue.The same respect and time should be afforded to Tom, who has an even tougher role being in the most competitive area of the pitch in the most competitive league in the world.Obviously at 22 and under Carlo's tutorship and training and playing with quality players he is going to improve.Let's not be too hasty, appreciate him, be patient and see what type of player we have when he is 25, I think we are going to be very happy. Tony Abrahams 26 Posted 09/02/2021 at 09:14:29 If ever a player has been pushed from pillar to post, then it's this kid. He's brave because he never hides, and he has probably suffered because he can do a bit of everything.Everyone said Henderson wasn't very good, (still debatable) but he's learned his trade, and it's taken him far, and I'd dispute Davies isn't skilful, although I'd tell any midfielder not blessed with much pace, to watch as many videos (we're going back) as possible watching Peter Reid! Lester Yip 27 Posted 09/02/2021 at 09:37:12 Tom is a very tidy player. He receives the ball with body turned facing opposition goal in one neat smooth motion. Ready to drive. As someone has pointed out, he's doing everything quite well. He can be the one that keep the ball moving. And I like his fighting spirit. Bobby Mallon 28 Posted 09/02/2021 at 10:31:07 The one defining factor in all this talk of Davies, Calvert-Lewin, Sigurdsson, is the manager. He has turned these players' fortunes around by giving them clear instructions and changing their play. Letting them know their jobs on the field. Darren Hind, I agree with you about Allan and his hamstring; he will get another injury down to the fact of how he plays the game. I disagree with you on your view of world-class. I think he is, at doing that job. He's supposed to run and tackle everything – that's his job. Lastly, I think Tom Davies will become the Milner of our team, good footballer who will play wherever he's told to – no argument. Henrik Lyngsie 29 Posted 09/02/2021 at 11:28:56 I thought Davies benefitted a lot from a more compact midfield against Man Utd. With both Doucouré and Gomes playing more like two Number 8s, and Davies as a Number 6 was a good setup for Davies. He played a really good match both defensively and forward. But I agree with most posters here that he is more a useful flexible squad player than a starting-11 player in a top-6 team. Two years ago, when we had young players coming up in Calvert-Lewin, Davies, Holgate and Kenny I had always said that the biggest talent is Calvert-Lewin. I am not convinced that any of the other three will be seen as starting-11 players. Which just shows how difficult it is to break through from being a big talent to become a regular starter in the best half of the Premier League. Danny O’Neill 30 Posted 09/02/2021 at 11:36:14 I want Allan to go hunting for the ball, but with him and Doucoure playing that game, it does leave that gap in behind them and the defence that was causing me to have kittens and bore people continuously about it earlier in the season.Before that and at the beginning of the season (before said gap exposed itself), I envisaged maybe Gomes sitting deeper within that 3 allowing the other 2 to go pressing. Maybe that is a position Tom can claim when we play a midfield 3.With both showing positive improvement, it's nice to have options. Dave Evans 31 Posted 09/02/2021 at 12:29:32 With an eye on his age, I think Tom will progress into a good player over the next 18 months or so and ditch the 'Championship at best' tag afforded him by the many humble pie addicts.Calvert-Lewin did. Danny O’Neill 32 Posted 09/02/2021 at 12:52:17 I just wish there were more videos from that era Tony so I could really appreciate in detail what I actually witnessed at the time. I suspect a lot was lost on me due to a combination of youth and emotion.On your theme of players not blessed with pace, there are some obvious "worldy" examples out there, but I'll throw a closer to home and less obvious one out. I will probably need to dive for cover straight after, but here goes; its all about opinions right?!Not anywhere near in the same league, but then didn't play in anywhere near as good a team. Lacked pace, but possessed good technical ability and a football brain. Had his fierce critics on here and amongst Evertonians in general, but I always thought he got a bit more stick than he deserved. Leon Osman.With my following of the German game, I often wondered if he had gone to the Bundesliga how he may have stood out with the greater amount of time they are afforded.Osman was a decent product of our academy who had a long career at the top fight of football. That doesn't happen by mistake and he too was not blessed with pace. Always remember his second goal against City when we came back to beat them 2 - 1. Timed his run to absolute perfection to out jump City's 6-footer centre backs, one of which was Lescott.Despite my frustrations with Tom on occasion, I rate him better than Osman. John Raftery 33 Posted 09/02/2021 at 12:58:30 A timely article. To the comparisons with Alan Harper, I would add the name of Kevin Richardson as someone who could step in when first-choice players were absent. If Tom has been guilty of anything in the last three seasons it has been of trying too hard, more often than not trying to compensate for the inadequacy of players around him, most of them much more experienced and probably much more expensive in terms of salary.Gareth Barry who also made his debut at seventeen once said in an interview that he did not fully understand the game until he was 25. Tom has been learning the game on the job and with better performing players around him now looks nearer to fulfilling his potential. He is 23 in June. Graham Mockford 34 Posted 09/02/2021 at 13:20:31 I'm not having it I'm afraid. The lad is definitely someone who gives everything each time he pulls on the shirt, never hides gets around the pitch but is he really top quality? I don't see it. I think describing him as ‘serviceable' sort of gives the game away. That's called damning with faint praise.The comparison with Harper is a decent one, although Berties greatest asset was he could play full back equally well as midfield. Richardson was a better player than either, a much better all round midfield player.I also still think he's performing a job for us this season. The question we should be asking is do we really see him in a squad that is going to challenge for top honours? Does he really get anywhere the level of young midfielders currently plying their trade? It may sound harsh but if we are truly ambitious that is the level of player we need in the squad.So personally I suspect he will stay a while longer but he doesn't have a long term future. The same can be said of course for quite a few of the midfielders in our current squad. Brian Williams 35 Posted 09/02/2021 at 13:32:08 In my eyes, he's improved considerably lately. True he's not that quick, but he's started to make up for his lack of pace by knowing what's around him more than he used to. He's stopped turning into players and losing the ball as much as he used to and his awareness of the space around him has got much better. I think he's become calmer too, which has allowed him a little bit more time to think.There was a game quite recently, and I mentioned it at the time, where he received the ball on the edge of our area and, instead of getting rid like the proverbial hot potato, he ran a few strides forward and literally just stopped in his tracks for a good few seconds with the ball at his feet and had a good look around before playing a good ball forward. (I know that sounds simple and obvious but you'd be surprised how few players actually do it.)Lastly, the ball he played through for Calvert-Lewin for our first comeback goal against Man Utd was inch-perfect and a further little pointer at the lad's improvement. He probably won't ever be "world" class but how may Premier League players are?Consistency is what'll take him up a further notch. Tom Bowers 36 Posted 09/02/2021 at 13:53:52 At 22 Tom Davies should be nearing his best and more game time can only be a good thing.The problem is that there are other players in competition and you have to be consistently above average to be first on the team sheet.When the team is doing well most of the starters are doing well and confidence grows.Tom is a good steady player who works hard but, like Everton as a team, has been inconsistent this season and consequently has his critics. Si Cooper 37 Posted 09/02/2021 at 14:01:50 Tom's a good all-round midfielder but is there really a midfield role that doesn't require some sort of ‘specialisation'? Something you can do that your rivals for a starting place can't?Truth is that Tom has a couple of weaknesses that he needs to improve or else reduce to insignificance. I'm pretty sure that 99% of us would love Tom to become a legend, but at some point he will either make those improvements or he will remain a not quite what we hoped for player.In commentary the other day, it was mentioned that Phil Foden is doing specialist sprint training. I would love to hear that Tom had his own personalised improvement plan, even beyond what the club require of him. The reports of his back-packing and soup kitchen work paint a picture of a lovely, grounded lad, but I'd really be more interested to hear that he is terrifyingly ambitious in his attempts to maximise his physical potential. He has a short time to make the most of his footballing career. He can be as down to earth as anyone would want after that. Tony Everan 38 Posted 09/02/2021 at 14:04:43 A big factor is: How far can he improve? There was a brief interview with him this week on the club website and he indicated that he has been learning off Allan and working long and hard on his game. He also says he has been spending some time in the gym to put a bit of muscle on his bones. All this is helping him improve, and it shows desire not only mentally but being prepared to put in the hard miles too to eke out more.This work ethic of improvement is straight out of the Dominic Calvert-Lewin handbook. I think it is admirable that Tom won't lie down or succumb to criticism. He dusts himself down, tries to improve himself and goes again. This determination is now paying dividends, and if it continues will be a big boost for us. Also it will allow us to shift the finances for team strengthening elsewhere. (Signing a top class young right-back?) Jamie Crowley 39 Posted 09/02/2021 at 15:11:39 Gabriel -This is a very well written and measured piece. Personally, I've always been a fan of the skater boi. I've backed him since I can't remember when. I think, for me, what I like most about Tom are three things.His lack of fear to play the ball forward. He is always looking to play the ball up the pitch. It's a refreshing, exhilarating way to play football, and wonderful to watch, especially when Everton start going all sideways with their passing.His field vision is superb. Before he plays those balls forward, I see a Tom Brady-like option ticker with Tom. He goes through all of his passing options very quickly, then executes. And he sees passes that can be attempted that frankly most footballers don't.Lastly he'll get stuck in. A term that, based upon last week's pre-game Man U thread, some don't like? Bah, too bad! The kid will put in a tackle and a hard, and more importantly fair one at that. He is a tough cookie.I'd argue the criticism of Tom in the main I most often heard was that he gave the damn ball away too often, and very often in awful places on the pitch. And there was absolute accuracy to that claim. Recently, I've not noticed him coughing up possession, and I can't remember him doing so in our own third. If he can continue to be responsible with the ball in this manner, I only see him improving.I've always hoped for this kid. He's brave, he's clearly got a work ethic, and he's Blue. There's nothing in my mind not to root for. Love the kid. Jay Wood[BRZ] 40 Posted 09/02/2021 at 15:19:41 Si @ 37, re: your questioning of Tom's dedication to his profession. I guess you didn't click through to his post-United interview I linked to.Tom Davies on his formIn that, the interviewer mentions Alex Iwobi in an interview the previous week had singled out Tom as the hardest worker in training. Tom replies he knows he has so much still to learn and improve and he will do everything he can to be the best he can. That includes studying and watching other footballers, such as our own Allan. Identifying what he does well and trying to incorporate it into his own game.Personally, I like Tom's individualism. As a teenager being driven to training by his mam and kissing her goodbye in front of his peers and not giving a stuff about their ribbing. His skateboarding around the city. His excellent, original dress sense. His work with EiTC.Don't be fooled by that secondary stuff into thinking that he isn't a serious dedicated footballer. He is. Jay Wood[BRZ] 41 Posted 09/02/2021 at 15:19:42 Si @ 37, re: your questioning of Tom's dedication to his profession. I guess you didn't click through to his post-United interview I linked to.Tom Davies on his formIn that, the interviewer mentions Alex Iwobi in an interview the previous week had singled out Tom as the hardest worker in training. Tom replies he knows he has so much still to learn and improve and he will do everything he can to be the best he can. That includes studying and watching other footballers, such as our own Allan. Identifying what he does well and trying to incorporate it into his own game.Personally, I like Tom's individualism. As a teenager being driven to training by his mam and kissing her goodbye in front of his peers and not giving a stuff about their ribbing. His skateboarding around the city. His excellent, original dress sense. His work with EiTC.Don't be fooled by that secondary stuff into thinking that he isn't a serious dedicated footballer. He is. Graham Mockford 42 Posted 09/02/2021 at 15:43:24 Jay You often make cogent intelligent arguments but if I'm honest I really don't give a fuck about a footballer's dress sense and their preferred mode of transportation.I'm equally less convinced about what other players say about their teammates in the press. Can't remember the last time I read ‘ I can't stand that prick plus he's a lazy useless twat'I also do not question that he's a dedicated young pro, I've just never seen enough on a consistent basis to say he has the ability to play in a top 4 midfield. Jay Wood[BRZ] 43 Posted 09/02/2021 at 15:50:34 Graham @ 42.'You often make cogent intelligent arguments but if I'm honest I really don't give a fuck about a footballer's dress sense and their preferred mode of transportation.'And nor do I Graham.Take it up with Si. Graham Mockford 44 Posted 09/02/2021 at 16:11:31 JayExcept you wrote a paragraph about how you liked it? Maybe you were just adding a bit of background colour to your observations.I mean I might be missing something here but it doesn't appear massively important in judging him as a footballer. Jay Wood[BRZ] 45 Posted 09/02/2021 at 16:30:05 Selective reading and interpretation, Graham.I prefaced the 'personal stuff' with, 'Personally, I like Tom's individualism,' then listed the things Si seemed to be denigrating him for. Yer know. Things not connected to his footy.Didn't you read my closing paragraph to Si immediately following?'Don't be fooled by that secondary stuff into thinking that he isn't a serious dedicated footballer. He is.'Either you understand and/or acknowledge the point I was making, or you don't. Not fessed either way. Graham Mockford 46 Posted 09/02/2021 at 16:31:22 JayFair dos Si Cooper 47 Posted 09/02/2021 at 17:08:03 Jay (45), please can you point out how / where I denigrate Tom's individuality / personality?It's just that these things have been commented on previously and for some it seems like it is enough for them to overlook his flaws.Very glad to hear he is killing it in training. Would be over the moon to know he was getting extra sessions in on his own. I know the players will get tailored fitness programs and the flip side to those large wages is probably a long list of what they can't do under their own cognisance, but if there is room for some elective extra strength / speed work then I hope he is grasping those opportunities with both hands. Because I hope as much as anybody that Tom can become a top, top player but at the moment he still seems someway short.As a footballer my participation has been strictly amateur but rugby wise I've been fortunate enough to get a good look at the career paths of a few internationals, and bar the simply ridiculously talented the deciding factor has always been bags of extra physically tough or dully repetitive training that most of us just wouldn't have the appetite for. Jay Wood[BRZ] 48 Posted 09/02/2021 at 17:23:43 Si, as I wrote to Graham, you 'seemed' to be denigrating him for his off field activites, an observation based on the final paragraph of your original post:'The reports of his back-packing and soup kitchen work paint a picture of a lovely, grounded lad, but I'd really be more interested to hear that he is terrifyingly ambitious in his attempts to maximise his physical potential. He has a short time to make the most of his footballing career. He can be as down to earth as anyone would want after that.'You were the one who brought up his off-field activites and tied it to his football, saying you preferred to hear how dedicated he was to his profession. All presented in less-than flattering language in which you seemingly doubted his dedication. I provided you with the evidence you reuested.Even in your latest post, seemingly as a means to justify yourself IMO, you wrote:'It's just that these things have been commented on previously and for some it seems like it is enough for them to overlook his flaws.'I can honestly say I do not recall anyone on these pages ever making such a claim. Until you and now, that is. Tony Abrahams 49 Posted 09/02/2021 at 17:38:19 I wish Osman was coaching in our academy, educating the younger players, alongside Pienaar, Danny, and I will never forget watching Peter Reid, especially 1984-1986, because I honestly learned more watching him, than I ever learned from any coach or manager, many of whom can do more good than bad, imo unfortunately. Danny O’Neill 50 Posted 09/02/2021 at 17:43:45 I find the Harper parallel interesting. I wouldn't call them similar as I believe Tom is more fixed as a midfielder. I acknowledge he will willingly play where he is asked, and do so with commitment but definitely not as naturally versatile as Harper. I for one could never figure out his best position. Just seemed to fit in wherever he was asked.I always thought Richardson was the better player and he was more fixed in position. It speaks volumes that he couldn't command a regular birth in our first 11 yet went on to win more top flight titles with Arsenal. Thomas Richards 51 Posted 09/02/2021 at 17:46:01 Me to Tony.Brilliantly technical footballer, brave as they come.Ruined by a, manager asking him to be a track back wide man.Never forgot what Joe Cole said about Leon. "The most tecnically gifted player I played with" Andy Crooks 52 Posted 09/02/2021 at 17:54:50 If only our young players would base their dress style and indeed lifestyle on that of Jacon Rees-Mogg. Jay Wood[BRZ] 53 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:02:26 Crooks!'ORDER! ORDER''The honourable member for Belfast South will be seated (or lounging, if he prefers), or removed from the House!' Thomas Richards 54 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:08:50 Lord Snooty probably wears the feminine garb in his spare time. Mike Gaynes 55 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:20:09 Excellent piece and some great comments here.I'd point out two aspects not much mentioned here so far -- mistakes and maturity. Previously, the weakest aspect of Tom's game was not his physical limitations, but his mental errors. One-touch passes given away in the vulnerable middle of the pitch (Jamie mentions those), foolish fouls presenting free-kick scoring chances to the opponents, blown defensive assignments -- and always, it seemed, in the final minutes of the game. Sometimes the final seconds. It seemed like he was never going to be able to handle pressure like an adult, and in Silva's final season, when he cost us a couple of games, I pretty much gave up on Tom. To his great credit, Tom has matured this season. His composure and decision-making have improved dramatically. He has largely eliminated the crucial mistakes from his game, which has given him the opportunity to use his skills to greater effect. Tom credits Allan's example for his performance upgrade, and no doubt Carlo has influenced him significantly as well (as he has Keane, Mina, Calvert-Lewin and Iwobi in my opinion). But I think the lion's share of credit goes to Davies himself. He has become a footballing grownup. A consummate professional.As do others here, I believe that when this club becomes a consistent CL competitor, Tom will no longer be with us -- he simply lacks the necessary physical gifts to be a top player. But he will continue to contribute to getting us there in the first place. And I will always hold him in my heart as the guy who scored the first goal I ever saw at Goodison... 32 seconds into my first game there after 32 years of waiting. I burst into tears. My eyes still fill up remembering it. They always will. Chris Williams 56 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:20:52 He wears female underwear beneath his 3 piece suit, his liberty bodice, spats and high button boots, Thomas. Thomas Richards 57 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:25:56 A lot of them do apparently Chris.Nannies hand me downs Brent Stephens 58 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:29:41 Andy "If only our young players would base their dress style and indeed lifestyle on that of Jacon Rees-Mogg."Or on that of Lyndon and Michael - left side in the picture.Link Chris Williams 59 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:31:56 His were formerly Maggie's I believe. Y Fronts, XXL, worn back to front, like at public school. With suspenders and fishnets handed down by Gideon Osborne. Thomas Richards 60 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:34:03 Extra space in Thatchers undies to make her ballbag comfortable? Danny O’Neill 61 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:35:53 I leave here for half an hour and open to this. What happened Thomas?! Thomas Richards 62 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:37:56 Just discussing the merits of the aristocracy Dan.Off on a tangent but thats the beauty of TW Bill Rodgers 63 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:40:13 He is a liability. The video of him flailing around in front of Fernandes - on the edge of the box whilst Fernandes had plenty of time to choose his spot just about sums him uo. He gives the ball away more than anyone except perhaps Holgate. Thomas Richards 64 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:41:47 Didnt know Rees Mogg played togger Bill Chris Williams 65 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:42:16 Thomas,There's no reason to call Willie Whitelaw names!.Maggy once remarked that every PM needed a Willie Thomas Richards 66 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:45:15 Greedy c**t wanted two Chris. Already had her own Thomas Richards 67 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:46:43 Apologise for the language. Chris Williams 68 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:48:14 She's a Tory, Thomas.Always want more of everything.There's certainly no shortage of pricks! Thomas Richards 69 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:50:21 👠Queues all around the House of Commons free bar looking to secure the gig. Brent Stephens 70 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:52:40 A headline from the past "MPs Ease Bill's Passage". Martin Mason 71 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:54:18 Tom is getting very good and well deserved reviews everywhere that I read. People (except a few on here) are realising what a very good player he is. If he keeps this up he will save us 㿊 MM and his wages are low considering what he gives. Thomas Richards 72 Posted 09/02/2021 at 18:57:31 Bill was at the front of the queue I mentioned Brent Danny O’Neill 73 Posted 09/02/2021 at 19:00:17 You can't argue with that last paragraph Mike Gaynes. On your Christmas card list for life no doubt.Most seem to be concurring that Tom has improved. A combination of age no doubt, but surely the benefit of having better players around him and the weight of expectation of being the great blue hope is also helping.As dare I say it, is finally being managed by a proper manager and the seeming stability we now have in that area. Chris Williams 74 Posted 09/02/2021 at 19:00:48 Julian and Sandy:-‘We stand behind the working man'‘We March together hand in hand to make Great Britain Fairyland'( tune of The Red Flag)Round The Horne c. 1967 Alan McGuffog 75 Posted 09/02/2021 at 19:09:04 Chris " after the shipwreck were you dragged up on deck ?"" no, just in our Levi's and t shirts "Bona ! Chris Williams 76 Posted 09/02/2021 at 19:16:32 Brilliant Alan, yes I remember that!Kenneth Horne (in officious authority voice)‘I've got Brown-Horrocks on my extension'Kenneth Williams (as you would expect)‘mmm, have you tried calamine on that?'‘I dropped a packet on the table last night'‘How embarrassing ducky'You really had to be there didn't you?So unWoke as to be comatose! Alan McGuffog 77 Posted 09/02/2021 at 19:32:00 You're solicitors ?""Well we've a criminal practice that keeps us busy"It was pre 1967 of course,"You're solicitors ?""Well we've a criminal practice that keeps us busy"It was pre 1967 of course,,,1,19:30:42,,86.191.110.51,ok,2631,02/09/2021 19:30:42,mcgee,reader,,,no 1129719,40455,toffeeweb,09/02/2021,Justin Doone,Justdoone@yahoo.co.uk,"Win the FA Cup = trophy in the cabinet and European football.That's doesn't mean it's ok to do a Wigan and get relegated after wining something but for a trophy I'd except 10th place as long as the progress appears to be there. I want to win every game, everything that's available to win I want Everton to achieve. But what I want and what we achieve are dreams vs reality. Look how Arsenal and Chelsea went backwards this season. I want to continue forward momentum and hopefully that's FA Cup and top 6, but I would take 10th to guarantee Cup success. Chris Williams 78 Posted 09/02/2021 at 19:50:13 Alan,I was bought a book of scripts for Horne years ago. I'll have to dig them out I see. Danny O’Neill 79 Posted 09/02/2021 at 19:56:23 **apologies, I should have said having the weight of being the next great blue hope lifted from his shoulders. Thomas Richards 80 Posted 09/02/2021 at 20:00:06 Kenneth Williams."i want to be wooed"Leading lady with a seductive glance. "you can be as wooed as you like with me" Danny O’Neill 81 Posted 09/02/2021 at 20:22:00 I don't normally do this, but those who haven't, give the Becky Tallentire article on Gordon West told through his wife.I know this isn't a Facebook popularity site, but a shame there are only several comments.Fantastic read in my opinion.Right, sorry for the plug. Back to Tom, and some comedy that is going way above my head right now! Mark Murphy 82 Posted 09/02/2021 at 20:30:26 I met Becky a couple of times with the Netley crew and she could be lovey lovey friendly one minute and sharp as vinegar the next. She doesn't suffer fools gladly but makes you want to be in her circle.The stuff she has written on the x players and their wives is the stuff of legend and keeps those legends alive.Each time I read her wives recollections I'm nostalgic for the 60's and wish I'd been older than 7& 8 when we were kings. Steve Brown 83 Posted 10/02/2021 at 04:38:00 Some have expressed frustration with Tom in recent seasons. My frustration with senior pros like Sigurdsson, Schneiderlin and Delph has been far higher.Tom is brave player who always shows for the ball and tries to be progressive in his play. He has shown positional discipline in replacing Allan and is consciously trying to avoid overplaying in his own half. Apart from the WHU game when the entire team was dreadful, we have won or drawn every game he has started in the last two months.He is nowhere near his peak at 22 years after old, but he is proper professional who is learning all the time. Keep it up Tom Peter Mills 84 Posted 10/02/2021 at 08:30:12 It's noticeable how often our manager, who knows a bit about playing midfield, asks Tom to perform specific tasks, sometimes just for the last few minutes of games. It looks like he trusts him.You need more than stars in a squad of 25 players over the course of a season. Guys who contribute to team spirit, come in, do the job asked of them, are invaluable. If they are local lads who love the club and are fine ambassadors for it, so much the better. Maybe Tom is happy in that capacity, and rather than indicating a lack of ambition it demonstrates just the opposite, that he has a degree of contentment and desire to learn that seems to be lacking in some other players. Ajay Gopal 85 Posted 10/02/2021 at 09:16:47 I would rather have 1 Tom Davies than 10 Delphs or Schneiderlins. Mike (55), I find your comment that you think Tom is good enough to take us to the Champions League but not good enough for us to compete in theCL with him, slightly arrogant. Why do you think so? Do you think the club will kick out a player who was responsible for getting them there in the 1st place? I think Brands and Carlo are better people than that. And not just for sentimental reasons - CL football is not some totally radically new game, where every player competing in that tournament is a superstar. Like every competition, there will be a mixture of great attacking players, some excellent defenders, and also players who do the dirty work. Anyway, all that is hypothetical - at the moment I am very happy that Tom Davies is playing well for us, and I will continue to cheer him for the rest of his career as long as he continues to play with pride, passion and no small amount of skill. Dave Abrahams 86 Posted 10/02/2021 at 09:42:31 Tom Davies somehow looked a lot fresher in this game, started well, winning loads of balls, some with good anticipation, snapping into tackles, is the new training and muscle building making a difference to his game.In the past I understood some fans having a go at him, but the only time I criticised him was after the Leicester game, away, last year when he made two mistakes that cost two goals, one in the last minute of the game, I posted that he is taking a long time to learn from his mistakes, because silly, stupid even, passes were a constant part of his game, he still makes them and not as often, on Saturday I thought he was very good, so did plenty of others, he walked away with one MOTM poll on another Everton website, hopefully he is fit for tonight's game for Spurs, Saturday's Tom Davies will be vital to the midfield, keep that form up Tom. Everton for the cup ———————-and the top four, let's be greedy as Jamie (Crowley) says. Thomas Richards 87 Posted 10/02/2021 at 09:53:44 is the new training and muscle building making a difference to his game" Interesting Dave.He does seem to be getting stronger and even a little quicker into the tackle as you mention. Be a good test for him tonight. If he shows the same form as Saturday he will fly through the test,"is the new training and muscle building making a difference to his game" Interesting Dave.He does seem to be getting stronger and even a little quicker into the tackle as you mention. Be a good test for him tonight. If he shows the same form as Saturday he will fly through the test,,,1,09:51:12,,109.249.181.55,ok,23848,02/10/2021 09:51:12,Tomrichards2@outlook.com,reader,,,no 1130210,40453,toffeeweb,10/02/2021,Dave Abrahams,dave.abba@hotmail.com,"Hugh (3), good one!!hope he helps to hammer Spurs tonight. Jason Li 88 Posted 10/02/2021 at 10:13:20 Where most of our teenage sensations have gone on to falter and leave Goodison, (or face their biggest doubts - because their own fans messages keeps on giving a player doubts about their own ability), Tom has gritted his teeth and battled on - good lad.Tom went to NY for a holiday as seen on social media, got away from Everton and football, wore clothes which he wanted to do, and I think it strengthened him to be focused on being him and being resistant to outside voices.Now, he's got Carlo helping him combined with his very strong mental attitude, and we're seeing him grow into a very decent squad player. When we're in Europe and doing well in cup competitions, he'll be playing 40-50 games a season, which would hopefully make him the most capped (appearances) outfield player at the club.A Legend. Go on Tom:Baby you look at me and tell me what you seeYou ain't seen the best of me yetGive me time, I'll make you forget the rest Peter Gorman 89 Posted 10/02/2021 at 10:17:33 I have found Tom Davies to be quite an annoying player for the simple reason that he is actually very talented.He went from being a 17 year old that didn't just have a good game but ran the game on his debut, to some glorious moments like vs Man City to becoming just a bang-average midfielder. But he isn't just a bang-average midfielder. The managerial changes, the examples of shithousery by his senior colleagues like Schneiderlin etc. wouldn't have helped his development but for quite some time Davies appeared to be a player going through the motions of tracking back and tackling, taking the soft and safe option with his passing. A player apparently low on confidence.If this trend is changing I'll be one of the first to rejoice because I still believe there is some player in there, one who has a bit of everything. Bill Griffiths 90 Posted 10/02/2021 at 12:00:00 Good article on the Red Echo site about Carlo's opinion of Tom.He indicated that though Tom has some limitations he is capable of doing a great job in any of the positions in a midfield 3. You get the opinion from the article that he likes and has faith in Tom.I've always liked Tom but like others I have perhaps doubted him at times. Saying that if Carlo had faith in him that's good enough for me. Graham Mockford 91 Posted 10/02/2021 at 12:37:43 There seems to be a general consensus that Tom is an all round good lad, adaptable and brave.I keep coming back to the question. Does he have the quality to be a top level midfield player? Has he other than working hard, being dependable ever shown that spark of quality top players have? Well I've give you City 4 years ago.I compare him to the sides we need to compete with going forward and look at their best young midfield players.Take Sako, Mount, Foden, McTominay, Barnes, Winks and Jones. I just don't see him in that bracket. Steve Carse 92 Posted 10/02/2021 at 12:47:55 Tom Davies's early career was as an attacking midfielder, something which he showed to great effect in the City game and previous to that his debut against Norwich. Koeman ended his development in that role, so it is to his credit that he adapted accordingly. The problem is that we have looked on enviously as other clubs have been producing far better midfield players -- Mount, Ward Prowse, Foden, Grealish etc. are all a different class and we've all been left disappointed and too critical of our own product. Colin Glassar 93 Posted 10/02/2021 at 12:53:15 I like Tom. He seems to be a nice lad. He's hardworking, energetic, enthusiastic, an Evertonian etc but let's cut out the sentimental claptrap and admit it, Tom's a very limited player.His passing is average, his positional play is average, his decision making is poor, he's physically weak and slow, he turns more than a spinning top, he continuously loses the ball by bigger, stronger players etc...I like Tom but he's not a top 4-6 player, neither is he championship material. He'd do well at a team like Newcastle or Brighton etc... teams who's only aim is to stay in the top flight. Tony Abrahams 94 Posted 10/02/2021 at 13:16:55 He will do well watching Allen, and listening to Ancellotti, who describes him perfectly imo. Jay Wood[BRZ] 95 Posted 10/02/2021 at 13:28:37 I think the Echo article that Bill refers to is a fair assessment of Tom by our manager.Carlo on Tom DaviesEver since Eric Cantona disdainfully labelled Didier Deschamps 'The Water Carrier', any number of similar players have also been given the same moniker.What was meant as a derogatory term can actually be a compliment, because even the very finest of teams need their water carriers to do the heavy lifting and dirty work that greater flair players are not built for.I can understand the comparisons to a list of his peers some make, but quite a number of the names mentioned are completely different types of midfielders to Tom.Carlo's assessment of Tom seems a fair one. He is very categoric.He doesn't believe Tom is suited to playing in an attacking, No10 position because he does not have the quality of a top level midfielder. However, he does consider that Tom has excellent tactical awareness.Key to Tom prospering at Everton is if he takes on Carlo's message to him: 'simplify your game'.Carlo said: 'He plays in a position where tactically you have to be really focused. Watching the game against United I think tactically he was perfect.'With the ball he has maybe not the quality of a top midfielder but in that position we need to play simple passes, you don't need to over-complicate.'Sometimes he touches the ball one or two times too much and I say to him play simple.'He cannot play No10, in my opinion, but when you play with three midfielders he can play all three positions, no problem, because tactically he is very intelligent'.In previous guises, Tom's enthusiasm in chasing the ball has seen him give away and be unnecessarily booked for careless fouls. That has greatly diminished this season. He stays on his feet more and is now more likely to jockey the player on the ball rather than wrecklessly dive in.He has always had quick feet and good short passing ability. Increasingly, we are seeing more of what Carlo is encouraging him to do. One-two touch football and moving the ball on.Look at his involvement in the first goal at Old Trafford for evidence of that. Go back to the home game v Leicester and watch Tom's part in James' goal. People of course remember the finish and Gomes' excellent sweeping pass to Digne in the build up. But look one step back. Tom receives a really sharp pass from Holgate under pressure, but his one touch pass finds Gomes, freeing up the space and time for the Portuguese to hit the Hollywood pass he did.Tom is unlikely to make the Gomes pass. Gomes is unlikely to make the play Tom did without turning over the ball or giving up a cheap free kick. An example of the Water Carrier dovetailing nicely with the Artesan.Carlo's counsel to Tom and the player taking it on board is yet another example of the manager being attentive to and improving the skill set and game awareness of a player at Everton. David Pearl 96 Posted 10/02/2021 at 13:38:20 Tony, perhaps he is improving because he has Allan as a role model instead of him chasing shadows trying to emulate Gana. One thing that has held the whole squad back over the last few years is our not being able to string 5 passes together... with Tom being one of the worst. He isn't there yet... but he does still have the potential to keep improving. Which he is doing, along with others in his age group. Dave Abrahams 97 Posted 10/02/2021 at 14:10:22 One thing that puzzles me and I might be wrong over, did Tom play a lot of U23 football once he had started playing for the first team at a very early age, I can't remember him playing much for any of teams outside the first team and it seems he has always trained with the first team since he broke into the team.Maybe one of the avid followers could put me straight on this or Michael Kendrick, who keeps a good record of the teams outside the first eleven, that is if he hasn't already got enough to do. Jason Li 98 Posted 10/02/2021 at 14:15:45 As Jay wrote above, for every Zidane and Del Piero there is a Deschamps.Adding to this, check out the Busquets assist for Messi vs Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the semi-final of the Champions League. Any defensive midfielder assists as good as these would be fantastic one day:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UscczWoT7yY Tony Abrahams 99 Posted 10/02/2021 at 14:21:50 I'd say it's because he's now getting taught to play in a certain way David, instead of just getting thrown out on the pitch with the likes of Schniederlin, and playing mostly in a struggling side.I think Ancellotti, just says it better than Mike G, and what he said reminds me of what Darren H, said a couple of years ago on these pages, about Tom Davies, and helps confirm that there is a hell of a lot of knowledge on the pages of ToffeeWeb! Dave Abrahams 100 Posted 10/02/2021 at 14:43:13 Tony (99), yes remember Darren saying something like “ Let's see what he is like once he gets played in a settled position in a settled team, instead of being played all over the place†talking about Tom Davies, maybe that's what is starting to happen now, plus the maturity that Mike Gaynes mentions. Tony Abrahams 101 Posted 10/02/2021 at 14:49:10 He said he might not become a great player, but he might become the perfect foil, for a better midfield partner/partners Dave.That's why ToffeeWeb is much better than anything else when it comes to Everton, simply because it's written by and contributed by, people who watch every Everton game! Michael Kenrick 102 Posted 10/02/2021 at 14:52:58 Hello, Dave (#97), There's a few stats in here for young Tom through his 'development' years.Perhaps worth comparing his numbers with Ross Barkley and Wayne Rooney perhaps? Just two I that popped into my head. There may be other players, your opinion may vary. Thomas Richards 103 Posted 10/02/2021 at 15:06:38 Fitst thing that jumped out Michael was Toms height.5'11".I hadnt realised he was that tall.Interesting reading Alan J Thompson 104 Posted 10/02/2021 at 15:13:58 I sometimes smile when the question; "Would he get into a Top 4 side?" is asked. Have any of our players been in a Premier League Top 4 side as I assume it means Premier League and the last one we had that I could think of was Schneiderlin and the only others being Lukaku, Zouma, Barkley, Stones, may be Rooney second time around and possibly Neville and Howard, world beaters all? Oh, and Delph. Brian Harrison 105 Posted 10/02/2021 at 15:38:57 Michael 102I know you are sometimes a little upset when some posters misspell a players name, so how come you are letting Dave Abrahams misspell your name in post 97. Surely this should carry at least a weeks suspension. Brent Stephens 106 Posted 10/02/2021 at 15:51:49 Brian, make that 2 weeks. Graham Mockford 107 Posted 10/02/2021 at 16:01:14 Alan #104You are sort of making the point. Schniederlin, Neville, Rooney second time round, Zouma and Delph ended up playing for us precisely because they were not deemed good enough to play for a top 4 side.Stones, Lukaku, Rooney and Barkley all left us because they were considered good enough to play for a top 4 side.There have been plenty of poor players who have turned out for Top 4 sides. Guess what they don't tend to hang around long. Brent Stephens 108 Posted 10/02/2021 at 16:01:43 Hard to believe how old Tom now is. But it looks as if he might just be battling for a more or less permanent starting position. That pass the other day for one of our goals - sublime! Will Mabon 109 Posted 10/02/2021 at 16:26:49 Michael, 102;FYI Barkley's d.o.b. is wrong on that profile. Steve Brown 110 Posted 10/02/2021 at 16:39:05 Davies is also profiting from having better players around him. He has certainly learned from Allan according to his interview ealier in the seaon.Link Graham Mockford 111 Posted 10/02/2021 at 17:25:03 Btw if you want a water carrier and posters are right, it doesn't need to be a derogatory term mentioning Tom alongside Deschamps or Busquets is stretching it somewhat.Better to compare him to players in the top sides who fulfill that role. Kante, Rodri, McTominay, Fabhino, Xhaka, Ndidi, Hojberg. Now he's younger than those players but you'd have to be confident he can reach that level. Maybe he can, as I say I'm not convinced. We have also bought Allan to play that role. Michael Kenrick 112 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:06:05 Opps, thanks for the correction, Will @109.Brian, yea, standards are obviously slipping. I reckon Dave's done it deliberately to annoy me because he knows he can get absolution from his priest. Dave Abrahams 113 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:06:28 Brian (105), yes you're right there, to be honest I've done that previously, the reason is I went to school with a lad named Michael Kendrick, and that just comes automatically to me, but you're correct I should make sure before posting, a weeks suspension? I should be horse whipped. Cheers Brian, apologies Michael. How's that for a bit of creeping!!! Brent Stephens 114 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:10:27 Dave, I've done worse! A while back I inadvertently referred to our revered Editor as Michael Kenwright!Oh, the embarrassment - for both of us! He was very magnanimous about it. Thomas Richards 115 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:12:25 Will put Lyndon on standby Dave.Your Tony reckons you went to school with Harold Lloyd. 😠Thomas Richards 116 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:13:33 What was Bills reaction Brent? Brent Stephens 117 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:14:30 A tear came to his eye, Thomas! Thomas Richards 118 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:15:48 Be the onion up the sleeve Brent Brent Stephens 119 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:17:55 Your Tony reckons you went to school with Harold Lloyd. ðŸ˜Brother of somebody famous on ToffeeWeb? Dave Abrahams 120 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:18:45 Michael (102), just noticed this post, through Brian grassing me up (lol), it looks like Tom was highly regarded at a very young age, same as Ross Barkley and Wayne Rooney, Ross was kept back by injuries and then loan spells limited his appearances in the U 21's 23's, while Wayne was a once in a lifetime discovery, in fact he wasn't selected often enough, for the first team, by Moyes, too often as a sub. Thanks for the spade work in digging those facts and figures up, much appreciated, and that's not creeping that's genuine. Dave Abrahams 121 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:23:02 Brent ( 119), No Brent, it was with his older sister, Marie Lloyd. Being the genius you are Brent, I know you'll know who she is, but google her just in case. Tony Abrahams 122 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:23:31 Get with it Brent Thomas Richards 123 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:24:47 Thank goodness for that reply DaveI thought I may have offended you. Danny O’Neill 124 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:31:58 Harold Lloyd. Now there is a flashback to childhood. Not mine per say in terms of the originals, I just remember the old black and white re-runs on the tele and that catchy tune!!To summarise on Tom before "heading of to the match", a decent player with potential. He will and is benefiting from the improvements we made to the squad and can learn of those players. He is benefiting from being managed better and more stability in that area than of recent seasons.I used Leon Osman earlier in response to something slightly different. If Tom goes on to be a valuable squad member for Everton just as Leon did, he will have a fine career and the optimist in me says that will be in a better Everton.Dave Abrahams; that Leicester game was the height of my frustration with him too.We give our locally produced players more scrutiny and subsequently more criticism goes in hand with that. It's not because we expect more, it's because perversely, we want more. We want them to succeed. You always take frustration out more on family and those closest as they say.All together now "Hooray for Harold Lloyd . " get that one out of your head. Dave Abrahams 125 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:48:32 Thomas (123), It's hard to be offended on here Thomas, it's all banter and a bit of fun, mind you wait ‘til the Live Forum gets going in a few minutes, a few on there are only minutes away from the “ men in white coats “ to come and cart them away, if me mam was alive she wouldn't let go on there!! Thomas Richards 126 Posted 10/02/2021 at 19:52:57 👠Thanks Dave.I had a look on there last game. No thanks. One flew over the Cuckoos nest for a mad 5 minute period then it calmed down Graham Mockford 127 Posted 10/02/2021 at 22:13:42 Tonight is a microcosm of Tom as a player. He did alright, did nothing spectacular and should have closed down better for their 4th goal.If you think he is a top quality PL midfielder you are deluded Phill Thompson 128 Posted 10/02/2021 at 23:27:37 That's two good games on the run from Tom, great stuff. We all look at things differently, re their fourth goal for me it looked like Davies dipped his left shoulder to stop Son going inside believing that if he went outside he became Coleman's man and up to him to close down the cross. Should he have double teamed with Coleman to stop Son maybe, but their was a bigger danger of Son going inside and curving a shot into the opposite corner. Who knows eh. Martin Berry 129 Posted 11/02/2021 at 13:33:35 Martin 25#I bet your feeling rather smug today with your previous comments and after last nights performance by Tom ? David Graves 130 Posted 11/02/2021 at 13:59:23 Graham,I don't think Tom is a top-quality Prem midfielder but is he not a good one?He's been up against some of the latest 'great young things' recently in Winks, McTominay and Rice and has acquitted himself very well.Like any young player at Everton he is going to have good and not-so-good games. It's those that write him off before a ball has been kicked that frustrate the most. Chances are though they are the same pople who wrote off Godfrey and Calvert-Lewin and are now piling into Holgate. Darren Hind 131 Posted 11/02/2021 at 19:43:40 Tom is quite simply living the dream we have all had. The one I still cling onto even though I retire in two months.Get in son. No telling how long it will last. Make the most of it and score one against the shite for me. Brian Garside 132 Posted 13/02/2021 at 10:31:52 Well written. Tom is proving that patience and the right guidance is required when developing players. I have never doubted that he would mature into a very good player. I was worried that the boo boys would chase him away before we got to see it happen. Well done, Andy Boothroyd at England U21s. Keep at it, Tom. The large majority of us are behind you. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads Find out how to browse ad-free and support ToffeeWeb © ToffeeWeb