Mark Kennedy has warned his Lincoln City side that they will face an Everton under-21s team who are capable of mixing up their game tomorrow night.
The Imps welcome Paul Tait’s side to the LNER Stadium in the Papa John's Trophy with a place in the last-eight up for grabs. The young Blues head into the cup encounter high on confidence after a thrilling 7-2 victory over Colchester United under-21s last week.
Tait’s side booked their place in the last-16 after they scored twice in stoppage time to beat Mansfield Town 2-1 at Goodison Park last month. Lincoln, meanwhile, overcame Morecambe on penalties after the tie finished 1-1.
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“When I look at Everton I think they are a very good footballing side,” Kennedy said when asked for his thoughts on the young Blues.
“But I was talking about it this morning, I was coaching at Wolves playing against Derby County at Loughborough, and I remember thinking after 20 minutes this is fantastic. The football was amazing, but then by half-time I thought this is ridiculous, this is just not real football.
"The reason I am saying that is because Everton have a lovely balance of what good football looks like, but real football. I think it will be a really tough game and we are preparing for a really tough game.”
Before he added: “I think they have got a lovely balance. If you allow them to play, they will show you how good they are. They have got pacy technical players, which all academies will want, certainly cat one academies anyway.
“But they have got a nice balance of football looks like in their transitions. They are a team that plays the game the way it should be played.”
Kennedy also warned the young Blues that they can expect to face the strong team at his disposal tomorrow night.
He said: “We want to pick the strongest team we can pick. I think in the earlier rounds, the group stage, with having three games sometimes it can be about giving people minutes.
“But I do understand that the further you go on in the group you may change things around. But I will never ever pick a team that I don’t believe can’t win a game of football.
“I never have picked a team to give people time in this situation. I will 100% pick a team that we feel can win the game.”
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