Can Moyes look to the Under 21s in Everton’s time of need?

We all knew it was coming but after a bittersweet week for Evertonians, the harsh reality of coping with absences was laid bare in a heavy, error-strewn defeat we hope will be a one-off.

The main 23-man roster for Senegal will inevitably mean call-ups for Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye. Just as worrying is the yellow card tally for James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam on 4 and even Jack Grealish on 3. Thankfully, nobody else is close to the 5 trigger which would mean a one-match suspension.

Add to that the lengthy injuries to Jarrad Branthwaite, Merlin Rohl, Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson, not to mention some loss of form by individuals and the question has to be asked about the readiness of our Under 21s to step up?

Form at Under 21 level is just as important of course. The game against Newcastle United saw a bench selection of two goalkeepers again and the safer inclusion of two players with a small amount of playing senior football, centre backs Elijah Campbell and Reece Welch. In truth, aside from being mainly centre backs (Campbell can fill in at left back) neither player has torn up trees at U21 level. We also already know Adam Aznou is there for left back cover.

When the more obvious needs for cover are at right back, central (specifically defensive) midfield and centre forward, that bench selection on Saturday had a slightly damning look about it.

What of the loaned-out U21 players?

Central midfielder Harrison Armstrong (below) is clearly in everyone’s thoughts but currently has a slight groin injury. He was unable to recover to play on Saturday for Preston North End against Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship. As well as he has done there, Moyes has already hinted that there is a real reluctance to recall him from a spell which is undoubtedly helping him grow as a player in men’s football. If Gueye’s absence, suspensions to either Garner or Iroegbunam begin to hit then the choice may have to be made anyway. We have to look after Everton first and foremost.

Likelihood of return 5/10

Winger/ wing back Isaac Heath (below) has made a great impression at League Two Accrington Stanley managing to start and finish all 15 games. He is mainly a winger however, not a full back in a “back 4” sense and, great as it is to see him doing well, there is a gulf of 3 divisions between where he’s playing and the Premiership.

Likelihood of recall 1/10

Other U21 players out on loan include Tyler Onyango (Stockport) who has started a good number of the League One outfit’s games but nothing since November 1st. He has created a good impression, playing in an unfamiliar right midfield/ right wing back role. He certainly has the physicality but a) he may be injured currently and b) he has not played as a right back or even central midfield berth for the Blues.

Likelihood of recall 1/10

Others out on loan are forwards Martin Sherif (League One Rotherham) who has managed 90 minutes only once and Francis Okoronkwo (League One Lincoln City) who has completed 90 minutes twice.

Likelihood of recall 0/10

What of those still at the club

Looking at the key positions (right back, defensive midfield, centre forward)

Right back – Roman Dixon remains injured apparently so 18 year old George Finney (below) has been getting the nod at right back. Aside from a reckless challenge in the mini-Derby against Liverpool which resulted in a 3 match suspension, he has been a stand-out player for the U21s this season. He’s over 6 feet tall, has a powerful physique and a long stride that gets him into dangerous positions. As with all young defenders, he still has a bit to learn but he is a natural right back and in all honesty looks the nearest to being ready.

Central/ defensive midfield – the young players who have been occupying the midfield for Paul Tait’s team are Jack Patterson, Callum Bates and Francis Gomez.

Having seen a lot of all 3 this season the one who appears to have most of the characteristics to be part of a 2-man midfield axis is the Northern Irishman, 20 year old Patterson (pictured below). Put simply, he loves a tackle, is mobile, strong and also delivers a good corner-kick by the way. He’s about 5’10 so would not be overawed physically and he plays the ball simply and well. In my humble opinion he could share the recovery work burden with James Garner.

Callum Bates, 20, has really good ball control and an eye for a pass, pleasing on the ball but is less of a defensive midfielder. He’s a good prospect but not, in my opinion, a “Gana” type of player.

Francis Gomes, 19, is an interesting player. Already a full international for The Gambia, I really like his winning attitude, if he’s not happy about the way things are going or refereeing decisions you can see it. He’s a little less physical than Patterson, I’d actually liken him to Allan who used to play for the Toffees 5 years ago. He’s a top prospect but profile-wise right now is, in my opinion, less likely than Patterson to make the first team bench.

Centre forward – In terms of a big striker capable of leading the line and providing like-for-like cover or competition for Thierno Barry and Beto, I believe there is nobody on the horizon. The U21s have been using Omari Benjamin, George Morgan and Braiden Graham in striking positions but I have seen them have limited success when played up front against the physicality of League One and Two teams this season.

Is David Moyes reluctant to use youngsters?

Historically you’d have to say “no” with the obvious names of Wayne Rooney, Ross Barkley, James Vaughan, Victor Anichebe, and Jose Baxter being amongst the most obvious, all of those players being more attack-minded. Looking at defenders and defensive midfielders you’d have to say the chances were more limited, Tony Hibbert and Peter Clarke (still playing at 43 by the way) being some of the few exceptions. Even Leon Osman was 23 before he began to feature properly.

These days, and with the way the Premiership has developed in the last 20+ years since his first tenure, you can see more reliance by Moyes on age and/ or experience. Tyler Dibling and Adam Aznou struggle for game-time right now so immediate hopes for the above prospects are slim but we may find ourselves in a “needs must” situation. My own view based on watching week in week out are that Finney and Patterson are our best options.