Is he playing with the U-18's because he hasn't even been on the bench for the U-21's in months? Maybe he's injured?
ironic i was just looking at this. seems to only have 2 appearances for u21. checked his twitter and nothing about injuries
Those two appearances also came at the very beginning of the season. Its strange because you wouldn't think he's been demoted to the U-18's, considering he was a starter for the U-21's and he was their academy player of the year last season. If its not that, is he injured? Wouldn't that news have been revealed though?
Everton don't tend to share news re: youth injuries, and I haven't heard anything. But I think it's a safe assumption that he's hurt. The kids who've played at LB for the U21s over the past few months are not LBs, strictly speaking. (For instance: Callum Connolly, who's played there the past few matches, is a serious prospect at CB and DM.) All of which speaks to how few LB options Everton have, in general. The path to the first team for Robinson is definitely clear (or, as clear as it is likely to get at a top PL club): Oviedo is a cert to leave, Garbutt's an enigma, Galloway's future may be at CB (especially if Stonesy leaves), and Baines is about to turn 31 and there are whispers that Roberto is trying to get him to "do a Lahm." If Robinson has a future at Everton, he'll head out on loan in the spring or next year. But he'll definitely get his chance.
I found an article from September 1 that stated that Robinson had a "knee problem". Vague, but perhaps it's something he's still dealing with? http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/spor...s/everton-defender-bryan-oviedo-pulls-9972457
Spoke with Antonee earlier today. Said he still expects it to be a couple more months until he's fully recovered
BREAKING:EFC & US LB Antonee Robinson has decided against living out a mortal life.Will instead be frozen until 2066 pic.twitter.com/Wh3qJ5v1rs— Nats Abroad (@Nats_Abroad) April 14, 2016
Hey Guys, I've just been Googling around whilst bored in work as you do and found this interesting discussion. I'm Antonee's older brother Sean so I thought I'd help clarify a few things, as I'm reasonably well placed to do so His favoured position is Left Back, although he is equally adept at playing Centre half when called upon. Personally when he was younger he started at Left Wing (which I have always thought he is most suited to). Maybe Koeman will perform a Gareth Bale-esque trick and release his attacking flair in years to come! Nationality wise, our father has dual citizenship as he grew up in White Plains NY....ergo, we all have American Citizenship also. By the way, he was an awesome player too and that's where Antonee inherited his raw ability . Antonee did make an appearance for the USA Youth team which by all accounts went well, although it's all gone quiet on that front since. He had a terrific season at U18 level and was recognised by his team-mates as "Players-Player", which meant a lot to him and our family. This was followed up by a call up to the first team's tour to Singapore, and many pre-season friendlies with the pros. Everything seemed to be lining up well (particularly with injuries to the likes of Baines, Galloway, Garbutt, Oviedo etc) but unfortunately he spent most of this season on the sidelines due to a knee cartilage injury. The injury seemed to be caused by impact and bad luck (not for mobility reasons). It all seems to be behind him now and he is gearing up for next season. Chances are he will be going out on loan as that seems to be the Everton policy at U21 level.....but you never know. He is a great kid, really enthusiastic, intelligent, bags of talent and determination. Plus he's a ridiculous athlete, which bodes well for the potential step up to the elite leagues. I'm very proud of him and it's cool seeing the interest shown in him by you guys. Back to the daily grind for me now though Sean
Thanks for the info!!! Hopefully the best is yet to come, and 2016 is a great year. The pool of left backs is very shallow for the US at the U20 level right now. [At every level actually.] Would love for Antonee to get a chance with that squad as the 2017 CONCACAF Championships in Costa Rica and 2017 U20 World Cup in South Korea (hopefully) approach. Centerback at that level is packed with prospects. Carter-Vickers (Spurs), Palmer-Brown (at Porto right now), Barbir (West Brom), Gruno (Leicester), Redding (Orlando), Glad (RSL), etc. etc. are all in the mix at that position. Olosunde of Man United, as well as others like Reggie Cannon of FC Dallas, have the right back spot in good shape. Left back is a problem....................
Left back is universally a problem for most teams at any level / standard of "football " in my experience. It's very difficult to find naturally gifted left footed players, and the ones you do rarely enjoy the art of defending. I'll be sure to keep you all posted on his progress this season. Oh and my father played played for Duke University and represented NC State under George Tarantini I believe. He then played for a few semi-professional teams in the UK before succumbing to an Achilles injury. But that was a long time ago so I guess if you need a reference you should seek out Tarantini . Sean
Signed a new contract that takes him to next summer. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/three-everton-players-sign-new-11619694
Just for reference here's a brief look at Everton's staggeringly long list of current LB candidates who it's safe to assume are currently ahead of him in the pecking order. (edit: Ok, so it didn't end being that brief. I stand by my good intentions anyway. Proceed at your own risk of boredom.) Baines, 31 - still has at least a year or two left in him. He's more than likely staying with them until they pull the plug. Says he gets homesick outside Merseyside (a joke, this is not). Oviedo, 26 - if healthy, he's the #2. Garbutt, 23 - had a good year on loan at Fulham where he held a spot in the XI essentially the whole season aside from injuries. El numero three. Galloway, 20 - started half dozen or so matches at LB early last season when Baines and Oviedo were both hurt. His future is probably at CB but nonetheless he's still in Antonee's way unless given a regular CB job in the near future. Browning, 22 - very much a RB, Browning did get a couple appearances at LB last year when Galloway was forced to play centrally. Unless Robinson's made significant strides by the time another first team crisis comes and/or players Browning could be called again. Connolly, 18 - Arguably the #5 ahead of Browning depending how you rate him. He's starting for England in the U19 Euro's this month and was already considered to be a step ahead of Antonee in 14/15 when both were bouncing between the U18s & 21s when both were still 17. He's very versatile and has been used at LM, CB and RM for the youth teams but is primarily a LB. Last year he made some big strides similar to those we were hoping Antonee to make after impressing with the first team in preseason. He was a automatic starter at LB for the 2s1 and in March went on a month's loan to Oxford in L1 where he started 3 matches, 2 at RB, 1 at LB. In April he made multiple matchday squad with the first team and got his debut when Oviedo and Coleman were the only FBs available and Coleman came off with a knock. Foulds, 18 - Robinson was definitely ahead of Foulds in 14/15 but he spent the first half of last season on loan at Bury in L1 where he made one appearance in the EFL Cup at CB and could come into this season with that experience of being in a first team environment to prove yet another contender just within the U21 squad let alone at the club in general. Foulds is however an old '98 (Feb) whereas Robinson and Connolly are both young '97s (Aug, Sept) meaning he could be bumped down to the 18s for another year. __________________________ Of course things can change as there's still 6 weeks until the window closes with loans permanent departures. What'll happen through out the season can always change things as well but as things stand Robinson's going to need a very impressive comeback season in order make his way back into the conversation for a long term LB option and that's represented in this one year extension. It's going to interesting to see how the U21s shape up the first few matches as he and Connolly are both too old for the 18s and will likely have to share time at LB unless Connolly rotates into his other positions.
Starts for the U23s: Tonight's #EFCU23 starting XI v Spurs: Hewelt, Jones (c), Robinson, Walsh, Feeney, Galloway, Henen, Davies, Evans, Ledson, Dowell.— Everton (@Everton) August 15, 2016
Here's this evening's teamsheet for #EFCU23 v @ReadingFC in the Premier League International Cup. 7pm kick-off. pic.twitter.com/g4iFYwbtGC— Everton (@Everton) August 18, 2016