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Post by rugbytoffee on Sept 18, 2017 15:37:19 GMT
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56730539/819777100.0.jpg) The most exciting group around Goodison Park right now would seem to be the Men’s U23 squad. They are the defending champions in Premier League 2, and have started the season brightly enough. Through four games, they sit third in the table with seven points, well behind Liverpool’s and Arsenal’s youth teams who have 12 points apiece. Everton’s U23s are littered with some well-known names to most Toffees. However, they could feature a very different side with the senior team’s Carabao Cup clash coming on Wednesday against Sunderland. Simply put, anyone who features today will not play midweek for the big boys. Some players to look for include Jonjoe Kenny, Ademola Lookman, Oumar Niasse and Luke Garbutt. The match against Sunderland is a good chance for Ronald Koeman to rest some of his most-used players, like Wayne Rooney and Leighton Baines. That may mean David Unsworth’s team is thin for this match. Match Details Date and start time: Monday, September 18 7 p.m. BST Stadium: Pride Park Stadium, Derby, England |
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Post by rugbytoffee on Sept 18, 2017 15:41:17 GMT
Everton Under-23s will be looking to making it three consecutive wins in the Premier League 2 when they travel to Pride Park to face Derby County on Monday evening.
The young Blues head into the clash full of confidence following a 3-0 away triumph over Chelsea and a 4-1 triumph against Tottenham Hotspur in their last two outings.
Coach David Unsworth says he has been impressed with the manner in which his new-look side has adapted to his way of training and playing and has challenged his youngsters to continue their momentum in Derbyshire.
“We got into every game with a plan and the mindset of trying to win,” he told evertonfc.com. “When we go over the previous game the next day with the players and staff, we quickly move on to our next opponents and decide how we’re going to set up, how we’re going to train in the build-up and how we look to win the game.
“We played Derby last year and we had two really tough games against them. We got a last-minute winner and a massive win against them at Pride Park at the end of last season. It was a really tough game, we were 2-0 down at half-time and had to change things around. We managed to turn it around and that’s what title winners do.
“They play a lot of games at Pride Park which I think is fantastic for their boys and great credit must go to the club for doing that. We’re really looking forward to the game.
“I know [Derby coach] Darren Wassall very well. He’s a good guy, a good coach and it’ll be a tough game for us, especially with them having one or two first-teamers playing. We’re very young tonight, so it’ll be a great experience for them.”
It was a busy summer for the Under-23s, with Boris Mathis, Josh Bowler, Anton Donkor, Dennis Adeniran, Nathangelo Markelo and Lewis Gibson all added to Unsworth’s squad, while eight players heading out on loan spells in the Championship.
“Jamie Hoyland, one of our scouts, watched one of our training sessions for the first time in around six weeks and he said he saw a massive improvement,” added Unsworth. “The new players who have come in are learning how we want to play and actually seeing and adapting to the tempo we train at, which is probably higher than their previous clubs. They’re getting used to it and it takes a little bit of time to get up to speed, but I’ve been delighted with the lads’ effort and application. As always, this group has been great.
“It’s also great to see eight [Everton Under-23s] players out on loan in the Championship. That’s a great next step for them in their development.
“From the start of the season to where we are now, we’re all delighted with what is happening.”
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