Determined Denny Eager To Seize Every Chance

Midfielder Alex on training intensity, ‘inspiring’ boss and learning from Ebbrell.

- Peter Lennox

Alex, there is a lot of competition for places in this Everton Under-23s squad. How much does that help to drive the players on?

A lot. The squad is very similar to last season’s, which won the Premier League 2 title, so that tells you how strong it is.

Everybody wants to get a place in the side and, in training every day, you have to be on it.

When you do get a chance, you know you have to give your best and take your opportunity.

How would you describe the culture manager David Unsworth has created within the group?

He is an inspiring manager.

Training is intense and there are no easy days. It’s always going to be like that working with a manager like Unsy and the rest of the coaching staff.

You’ve got to go out and give everything. If you don’t, you know someone else will be giving everything and they will overtake you.

If we play any small-sided games, there will be full-on tackles. It’s competitive and that helps us when we go into matches.

In games, the boss wants us to be combative, win our battles and to attack and score goals.