Everton U23s let Chelsea draw with a late goal

Cannon, Onyango and Dobbin all start for the U23s, underlining comments by Benitez about his conservative approach to not playing da yoof.

U23s 1-0 up, Tom Cannon, assisted by Rhys Hughes …30 mins left.

Chelsea equalised in 90th minute, final score 1-1.

Dobbin played only 62 minutes, I see. Enough to keep him ticking over ready for the bench on Monday, I assume.

Michael (1),

I don't think Benitez is being conservative about not playing the youths, I think he is being realistic.

Maybe Dobbin has got something and he has already come on as a sub this season even though it was for a few seconds!!

Is Simms injured?

A good write-up of this game:

Everton Under-23s denied by late Chelsea leveller

Onyango played well but still needs games for fitness according to Unsworth and Lewis Warrington continues to catch the eye with regularity. Sounds like a few of them had decent games including Rhys Hughes, who seems to be proactive in making things happen.

Dave @5 - what's “realistic” about selecting Rondon and Iwobi ahead of them?

Jeff,

Not sure about Ellis Simms injury status, no information on it. He was recovering but just maybe had a setback. An insightful article a month ago about Simms and Rafa's thoughts on him. I'd love to see him get a chance ahead of Rondon, if he was fully fit and recovered.

Rafa Benitez opens up on private Ellis Simms conversation and hints at future option

Thanks, Tony @7. Nice to see Warrington getting consistent praise and plaudits. I've liked what I've seen of him so far. I'd agree though, and this isn't meant to be a negative, but I don't see anything ready to burst into the first team. Just yet.

Just one thought: What is Unsworth's role now? Is he Director of the Academy or U23s manager? I know I've mentioned it before, but I was under the impression he had been promoted. But he still seems to focus on being in the U23 dugout?

I agree, Danny, possibly Onyango but needs more games, and also Dobbin. Mainly because these boys have some of the core strength needed to survive at Premier League level coupled to ability. Even so, probably still not quite ready to be starting Premier League games. They'll get many chances with the U23s and will need to prove it on the pitch.

Ellis Simms is a different case, and Branthwaite. They are in no-man's land, like Nkounkou was, between the U23s and the first team. Both have the potential to make an impact and both need to be playing competitive matches.

I hope good decisions are being made for their progression. If fit, I would have liked to have seen Simms given a chance ahead of Rondon or even as an early substitution.

Branthwaite is so young for a centre-back, but a classy player, and I think the most likely outcome is another loan from January to get some meaningful game time.

Saying that, it is interesting to consider, even now, how he would compete in the central defence as an alternative to Godfrey or Holgate. Considering Godfrey's Covid issues and Holgate's inconsistencies.

I'm not sure of Unsworth's official role, Danny, I thought in that post-match interview he was almost selling himself as competent and the man to take the U23s forward. Maybe I'm over-thinking it!

He was made “Director of Academy” in September 2020.

Unsworth on Everton's desire to have the world's best Academy

I think he is being realistic in not starting them but, in the West Ham and Watford games, I think he should have replaced Rondon with Dobbin.

As for Iwobi, I was on to him not long after he joined us. I see no merit in a player who has no heart for a fight and I'm disappointed every time he is on the field for Everton. The only explanation is the squad is so short of good players that he gets a game. He is here until his contract runs out because I can't see a buyer for him.

Rondon will come good when Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin are fully fit. He will satisfy a lot more fans then than now, mostly has a sub or playing alongside one of them. That's just my opinion, of course, and you can tell me what to do with that at your leisure, Gary!!

I don't usually listen to too much gossip or rumour, but on Iwobi, you do get the impression of a good training ground player. Maybe one of those "tricksters" that make a living on YouTube these days. But stick them on a competitive field of play and they go missing.

I agree on Rondon, Dave. It will start tomorrow night. “The ex-West Brom striker scores against former Black Country rivals Wolves after a difficult start at Everton.” The script is written.

Dave #12,

"The only explanation is the squad is so short of good players he gets a game,"

Yes, sadly, it's a measure of the poor quality of the squad which the manager has to work with that Iwobi gets a game. I think it's probably the case at all levels of football that there are Fancy Dans who love to show their ball skills in training but chicken out on the pitch.

How on earth did we dive in for Iwobi on the last minute of the transfer window! What was it the club shelled out, £30 million? I have some real doubts about our Director of Football!

Anyway, it leaves the manager in desperate straits when he tries to change our team. Hopefully, he is giving Iwobi playing time to see if anyone is daft enough to buy him.

I'd love to see Dobbin come on as a sub and wonder what's happened to Ellis Simms, as I'd like to see him get a chance as well.

ps: Definitely as subs and not as starters. I wouldn't want them to suffer a full match and come off listening to the boos that rang round the ground last week.

Sound is crap; not sure if it's my TV or our usual mess.