Everton Academy manager Neil Dewsnip praises a new influx of players to his squad

He said: "It is an interesting stage of the season for us, if I can backtrack to the first of those five games, a lot of players have moved out of the u-18 side and into the reserve team so we are now a much younger side.

The team is basically a mix of under-17, 16 and even a couple of under-15 boys.

"I think we have grown together, got better and better as we have gone along. That first game of the five was at Blackburn, they were the better side in the first half but it was 1-1 at the break. We went on to win 3-1 and from that moment on, results have gone with us more and more.

"The two under-15 lads that have come in, Ross Barkley and Jordan Barrow, do deserve a special mention.

"They have acquitted themselves very well so far. Everything will not be in a straight line for them but they need to overcome those challenges."

Dewsnip has guided his players to impressive wins at Newcastle United and Leeds United in the past five matches, a run that sees them sit above their city rivals.

However, the boss has refused to earmark a higher placed finish than the Reds as his aim for the rest of the season.

Instead Dewsnip just wants to see continued development from his squad that will hopefully see them move a step closer to contention for David Moyes' first team.

As well as Forest on Saturday, the Blues' Academy will play Boro Youth and Sheffield Wednesday Youth in the final games of the season.

Dewsnip added: "Do we want to finish above Liverpool?

"Not necessarily, we do not really look at it like that at youth level, we just want to develop the players as best as we can and to move them onto the next level, which a number of the boys have already done.

"It is a different kind of philosophy to that of the first team.

"Nottingham Forest is always a fantastically good game of football.

"They have built a good reputation over the years, they try and pass the ball."

*The Everton v Nottm Forest game is on, Saturday (12.00pm).

Rivals in fear of a drubbing

BRISTOL Academy are bracing themselves for the toughest game of the season on Sunday when they face Everton's title chasing Ladies team.

Champions Arsenal's shock 0-0 draw against Doncaster Belles last weekend has left the Merseysiders six points adrift of the Gunners with three games in hand.

Coach Gary Green admitted: "It could be a backs-to-the-wall job for us but we will go their aiming to frustrate Everton."