Baines On Key Balance To Consider As U18s Coach

Emphatic victories from Everton Under-18s including an impressive 7-0 FA Youth Cup win over Nottingham Forest have often caught the eye – but Head Coach Leighton Baines is less focused on results than you might think.

The Everton icon’s young side currently sit fourth in Under-18s Premier League (North) – a big improvement on last season, but for Baines, his primary concern is developing the Toffees’ fledgling talents.

It’s a balancing act for coaches at Finch Farm, who are keen to instil a winning mentality, while first and foremost, promoting players’ learning.

“I think when you're not inside of it, it'd be hard to understand, but it's not always about [the results],” he says. “So realistically on a matchday, we’re definitely looking to see things, first of all, that we've worked on; that the kids have worked on as a collective or their own individual bits they need to improve on.

“And then obviously, a matchday gives them the opportunity to do that in a competitive setting. Definitely, they need to understand the other side of things – what it takes to win and all the rest of it.

“We’ve managed to do that sometimes this season, but it isn't always as heavily weighted again towards the results as it might be in the first-team setting.”

Twelve first-year scholars were promoted into Baines’ roster ahead of the start of the campaign, while in September, the Club added promising teenager Justin Clarke from AFC Wimbledon.

Clarke and fellow forward Braiden Graham have often made headlines, with Clarke netting four goals in six league games – often from a wide position, while Northern Ireland Under-19s international Graham has struck seven in eight.

“I think that is what's pleasing; when you do see the individuals getting closer to being ready to take the next step and keep moving and progressing forward,” Baines remarks.

“Because, ultimately, that is what we're here for. It'd be obviously wrong for us to be desperate to get a win on a Saturday and compromise what might be someone's own development and opportunities to keep improving.

“So it is nice to see them do well and obviously it's important to support them when they're not. It's not always going to be linear – that journey for them.

“And then it’s important to understand that on those competitive days, they are better as a collective. They’re definitely better when they're all working together towards that end goal.”

Alongside a focus on improving individuals, promoting a winning culture remains important, acknowledges Baines, whose side have produced a handful of impressive comebacks victories this season.

Perhaps the most memorable of which – a 3-2 Merseyside derby win in November, coming from 2-1 down to net twice beyond the 90^th minute.

“It's still definitely important to want to win and feel that,” continues Baines with a considered approach. “There are definitely things you can do on a Monday to Friday to instil that competitive spirit.

“And then, like I say, within that, there's been moments where we've been behind in games and come back late, or we've been two or three goals behind and just fought our way back.

“As much as getting better on an individual and collective level is important, actually understanding how to win, how to show resilience, all those other good things are just as important when you're trying to have a career in the first team.”

The third round of the FA Youth Cup last season saw highly-rated pair Harrison Armstrong and Callum Bates both start in Baines’ midfield during a 4-1 victory at Goodison Park over Stockport County.

A year on and Armstrong is a regular among Sean Dyche’s Premier League squads, while Bates was named on the bench for Everton’s Senior Team against both West Ham United and Brentford in November.

Their progression through the Academy pathway is rewarding, explains Baines, who adds: “They're always nice moments for everyone in the building. For players like Harrison, there'll be people in the building who've been working with him since he was young.

“I think they are nice moments for the Academy and for people in this end of the building to see the work that everyone does and to see kids move up through the age groups.

“Everyone chips in with trying to help them with their development, so to see players arrive on a first-team pitch is a nice moment for everyone.”