Everton Under-21s head coach Paul Tait believes this week’s joint pre-season training camp with his squad and Leighton Baines’ Under-18s group can inspire unity between the teams and smooth the pathway for emerging talents into his side.
Everton Under-21s and Under-18s are currently ramping up their preparations for the new campaign at Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate’s state-of-the-art sports facility in York.
Tait – who was appointed into his new role last month having previously led the Blues’ Under-18 team – says he has been greatly encouraged by how both squads have integrated.
And he revealed the key reason the training camp can pay dividends as the campaign progresses.
Speaking to evertontv, he said: “The main exercise of the week is fitness, obviously, because it’s pre-season.
“We also want to get some cohesion within the Under-21 and Under-18 teams, but also align both age groups. So, later on in the season, the transition for Under-18 players into the Under-21s will be a lot easier.
“I think that’s worked really well this week.
“The Under-18s and Under-21s staff have been working together. It's been really refreshing. The main focus is on [integrating] the players, though.
“We have got lads on different journeys. We have got boys who have just become professionals and then we’ve got the players at the top end of the Under-21s, who have been in and around the First Team.
“They are in different places [in their careers], but they have all got real respect for each other and that’s shown on and off the pitch.”
Tait saluted the eagerness and intensity the Under-21 and Under-18 players have shown during a series of demanding training sessions this week.
His Under-21 side will take a further important step in their pre-season programme on Saturday when they contest their first friendly match of the summer against Northern Premier League side Guiseley (3pm).
“The work the boys put in this week and the enthusiasm and application they’ve shown every day…we’re more than happy with them,” Tait said. “It’s been absolutely 10 out of 10.
“We’ve got a game on Saturday and that will help with fitness.
“The odd boy might play a full game, some will play 60 minutes and some will play 30 minutes.
“The whole of the squad will get game time and the challenge of playing against a senior team in Guiseley.
“They will be tough opposition. They will be fitter and stronger than us because they are further ahead than us in their pre-season, as their league starts earlier that ours. It’s an ideal match for us.”
