Everton U23s play out a goalless draw at Leeds Utd

I thought we increasingly got on top as the half progressed.

Kouyate has looked impressive since coming on. And as I write that he gives the ball away to give Leeds a chance.

Draw probably a fair result with both keepers making decent saves.

Katia Kouyate was interesting when he came on, that’s the most I’ve seen him involved in a game, playing in a deeper midfield position.

Did Everton have a plan apart from defending in-depth and booting the ball, up to Cannon who had a thankless task all night playing up front on his own. I only watched the last 10 minutes of the first half and the whole of the second half, when it came on.

Don't know how anyone could enjoy playing in that game, took a lot of patience to watch it, the ball seemed to off the field as much as it was on it.

I don't think any of them stood out over the 90 minutes but Ryan Astley looked solid and Warrington had some nice touches with Harry Tyrer making a few decent saves.

Secondly, British clubs overcome this inability to use the ball properly in an attacking sense by signing foreigners who have been brought up better - or the very few British players with genuine technical ability. We could do with recruiting academy players with quality in wide / forward areas. We're behind quite a few clubs on this - who have academies stocked with dutch, belgian, french etc players and others pinched from other UK academies. Over time we should be able to produce our own (as Chelsea and City are now doing) but even then we'll need to buy-in too. Not loads, because then they just stagnate instead of develop, but a few with genuine talent would be good.

Dave Abrahams, defending deep and booting the ball to an isolated striker with a forlorn hope. That has a familiar ring to it. Maybe we are installing as system throughout the club!! Just maybe one we would prefer not to have.

Robert. you rightfully preach to the converted.

Players coached to be comfortable, technical and ambitious with the ball, not scared of it. I salute your comments Sir.

You make a point I've been making for years, it's not necessarily that UK teams have overlooked local talent, it just hasn't been there so they've gone elsewhere to find it. Maybe and hopefully that is changing. And Everton should be trying to encourage that change by promoting and supporting grass roots football.

Kouyate came up to provide the help then let the ball run under his foot to go out for a throw-in, Kouyate played for the U18s last week v Fulham, did a few good things but lost the ball far too easily and was taken off at half-time, might have been due to lack of playing time after his injury.

Simms was the same at Chelsea, he has hardly played any football this season so it was a big ask to expect him to shine in this game, so I'll use prudence before I judge him on that game.