Starts in PL2: #EFC team (to play @OfficialBWFC): Hewelt, Robinson, Yates, Foulds, Yarney, Walsh (c), Bainbridge, Baningime, Henen, Dyson, Sambou.— Everton (@Everton) August 30, 2016
This was actually the first group stage match of the EFL Trophy, not a PL2 match. If you're as confused as I was, here's the gist. Of the 64 teams involved, this year of the competition is the first that includes Tier One "Academy and Reserve" squads in addition to the "senior" side of Football League teams (League One, Two and below) I say "senior" because a lot of these lower league teams are not taking it seriously after the inclusion of the Development Teams. Boycotts from fans and managers using very weak senior sides. Exeter City 43 y/o manager Paul Tisdale who has played just once since he was 27 put himself in the matchday squad in their match against Oxford. Also, they're referred to as "Academy and Reserves" because they aren't the same as the U23 sides as they are required to include at least 6 U21 players. And of course, not every Tier One academy wanted in as only a few high-caliber clubs accepted the invitation (Sunderland, Chelsea, West Ham, and Everton)
And don't forget the EFL Trophy is also known as the Checkatrade Trophy and formerly known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. There were a whole bunch of YA matches yesterday that didn't make sense at first glance. No wonder Americans can't figure out this sport. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jul/08/new-efl-trophy-premier-league-academy-teams-fans Format confirmed for Season 2016/17 @EFLTrophy. Full details >> https://t.co/9wrpCfw68Z#EFLTrophy pic.twitter.com/RDHNaTnS62— EFL (@EFL) July 6, 2016
Starts in PL2: #EFCU23 team (v @Arsenal): Hewelt, Jones, Robinson, Walsh, Connolly, Kenny, Dowell, Davies, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse, Henen.— Everton (@Everton) September 19, 2016
🎥 Knee injury, what knee injury? Antonee Robinson putting last year's woes and this year's defenders behind him with an assist vs. Arsenal. pic.twitter.com/NBjRdqoOth— Nats Abroad (@Nats_Abroad) September 22, 2016
On the bench for the U23s match against Reading: Boss David Unsworth has named a strong starting line-up for tonight's game, with seven of the starting line-up boasting first-team experience with the Blues. Everton Under-23s starting line-up: Hewelt, Kenny, Holgate, Connolly, Jones, Walsh, Davies, Dowell, Niasse, Charsley, Calvert-Lewin. Substitutes: Gray, C. Duffus, Dyson, Yarney, Robinson. http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2016/10/17/live-blog-under23s-v-reading
He's started 5 of their 6 matches thus far this season, and Everton are first in the PL 2 Div 1 at the moment.
Starts against Liverpool U23s: #EFCU23 v Liverpool: Hewelt, Kenny, Robinson, Holgate, Connolly, Davies, Walsh, Dowell, Charsley, Jones, Calvert-Lewin.— Everton (@Everton) October 23, 2016 Came off in the 61st, even though he was having his way with Liverpool in the 2nd half. The announcers said he should be in consideration for the 1st team.
Pretty amazing, in a sad way, to think that each of Antonee Robinson, Niko Hamalainen, and Edwin Lara might be (and probably is) better than any of our current U-20 left backs.
Yep, and Tab didn't attempt to call any of those 3 or Olusunde for the Four Nations tourney. He thinks Arellano and Borges are better options....that's comical.
I can get not contacting Hamalainen and Lara, because they're provisionally cap-tied to Finland/Mexico and would be skeptical to switch to the US as long as opportunities with their current countries haven't dried up. But one would think a Premier League 2 starter like Robinson deserves a shot vs. a converted center-back (Arellano) and a college kid (Borges).
Unless Robinson is holding out for an England callup (which is possible I suppose, but seems unlikely) it's baffling. But then again this is the same coach who started Javan Torre in a U-20 World Cup and who currently believes Victor Mansaray is more deserving of a callup than Haji Wright...
Starts for U23s: #EFCU23 team (to play @ChelseaFC): Hewelt, Kenny, Robinson, Connolly, Feeney, Walsh, Davies, Dowell, Calvert-Lewin, Charsley, Henen.— Everton (@Everton) October 31, 2016
📸 | Wondering about squad numbers? Here's tonight's official teamsheet. @CheckatradeTrpy @BlackpoolFC #EFC pic.twitter.com/PEfBuPtaos— Everton (@Everton) November 8, 2016
On the bench for the U23s: #EFCU23 subs: Renshaw, Henen, Duffus, Evans, Robinson.— Everton (@Everton) December 12, 2016