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[Albion] Ridiculous new U21 tournament - Woking v Albion U21s, tonight, 7pm



AZ Gull

@SeagullsAcademy Threads: @bhafcacademy
Oct 14, 2003
12,888
Chandler, AZ
This is the Woking line-up, featuring Tom Leahy who was in the Albion academy for his U-13 and U-14 seasons (and is the younger brother of Jack who was a scholar with the Seagulls).

 




AZ Gull

@SeagullsAcademy Threads: @bhafcacademy
Oct 14, 2003
12,888
Chandler, AZ
Albion's line-up:-

AlbionU21.jpg
 






AZ Gull

@SeagullsAcademy Threads: @bhafcacademy
Oct 14, 2003
12,888
Chandler, AZ
I don't find these tournaments ridiculous at all. The kids have to take the next step in their developement, so a runout against blokes is a good thing
Why don't we just go the whole hog and kick out some of those lower league clubs to make room for the U-21 sides of Premier League clubs. I mean, the only reason for lower league football is to provide a development pathway for the youngsters of the rich clubs, right?

:nono: :facepalm:
 




AmexRuislip

Retired Spy 🕵️‍♂️
Feb 2, 2014
34,381
Ruislip
Why don't we just go the whole hog and kick out some of those lower league clubs to make room for the U-21 sides of Premier League clubs. I mean, the only reason for lower league football is to provide a development pathway for the youngsters of the rich clubs, right?

:nono: :facepalm:
Why don't we just enjoy watching the Albion while we all get the chance, as there's no PL :facepalm:
 












Coldeanseagull

Opinionated
Mar 13, 2013
8,254
Coldean
Why don't we just go the whole hog and kick out some of those lower league clubs to make room for the U-21 sides of Premier League clubs. I mean, the only reason for lower league football is to provide a development pathway for the youngsters of the rich clubs, right?

:nono: :facepalm:
They need to see the level they'll be playing at if they don't make it at a premier league club. We all differ with our opinions...especially with the developement of the youngsters. They should be capable of playing 40-50 competitive games over a season, regardless if it's an U21 league or a two bob cup
 




AZ Gull

@SeagullsAcademy Threads: @bhafcacademy
Oct 14, 2003
12,888
Chandler, AZ
They need to see the level they'll be playing at if they don't make it at a premier league club. We all differ with our opinions...especially with the developement of the youngsters. They should be capable of playing 40-50 competitive games over a season, regardless if it's an U21 league or a two bob cup
No Albion fan takes a keener interest in the development of our youngsters than me, as anyone on this board will testify.

However, I am also a football fan (in general) and I treasure the extraordinary football pyramid we have in this country. Albion have spent far more of their existence in the lower divisions than in the top 2 flights. Just because we struck gold with Tony Bloom being an Albion fan doesn't mean I'm willing to now consign all but 20 clubs to the dustbin.

The EFL Trophy (in its current guise with U-21 sides competing against 3rd and 4th tier teams) is an abomination of a tournament that no lower league fan wants. This competition is even more of a monstrosity, with the Premier League literally buying off the National League clubs to gain their support to abolish FA Cup replays.

The underlying issue here is that there is far too much at stake for PL clubs to "risk" playing their youngsters in league games and so they are on a constant search for the magic bullet that will develop their talent. They introduced #PL2; they made it an U-21 competition; they changed it to an U-23 competition; they forced their U-21 sides into the EFL Trophy; they changed PL2 back to an U-21 competition; and now, we have this Frankenstein's monster of a tournament.

It all stinks.
 


GT49er

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Feb 1, 2009
48,680
Gloucester
Doing well - 2-0 up now (Duffus and McConville). Hope the lads can go all the way and win this trophy - I like this competition, and the Paint Pot trophy too.
 
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GT49er

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Feb 1, 2009
48,680
Gloucester
No Albion fan takes a keener interest in the development of our youngsters than me, as anyone on this board will testify.

However, I am also a football fan (in general) and I treasure the extraordinary football pyramid we have in this country. Albion have spent far more of their existence in the lower divisions than in the top 2 flights. Just because we struck gold with Tony Bloom being an Albion fan doesn't mean I'm willing to now consign all but 20 clubs to the dustbin.

The EFL Trophy (in its current guise with U-21 sides competing against 3rd and 4th tier teams) is an abomination of a tournament that no lower league fan wants. This competition is even more of a monstrosity, with the Premier League literally buying off the National League clubs to gain their support to abolish FA Cup replays.

The underlying issue here is that there is far too much at stake for PL clubs to "risk" playing their youngsters in league games and so they are on a constant search for the magic bullet that will develop their talent. They introduced #PL2; they made it an U-21 competition; they changed it to an U-23 competition; they forced their U-21 sides into the EFL Trophy; they changed PL2 back to an U-21 competition; and now, we have this Frankenstein's monster of a tournament.

It all stinks.
I would agree with you whole-heartedly if we were trying to push our U21 sides into leagues lower down the pyramid (like they've done in Scotland). Horrible idea, and I agree, the pyramid must not be tampered with.
But cup competitions? Sorry - I love 'em!
 




Farehamseagull

Solly March Fan Club
Nov 22, 2007
14,865
Sarisbury Green, Southampton
No Albion fan takes a keener interest in the development of our youngsters than me, as anyone on this board will testify.

However, I am also a football fan (in general) and I treasure the extraordinary football pyramid we have in this country. Albion have spent far more of their existence in the lower divisions than in the top 2 flights. Just because we struck gold with Tony Bloom being an Albion fan doesn't mean I'm willing to now consign all but 20 clubs to the dustbin.

The EFL Trophy (in its current guise with U-21 sides competing against 3rd and 4th tier teams) is an abomination of a tournament that no lower league fan wants. This competition is even more of a monstrosity, with the Premier League literally buying off the National League clubs to gain their support to abolish FA Cup replays.

The underlying issue here is that there is far too much at stake for PL clubs to "risk" playing their youngsters in league games and so they are on a constant search for the magic bullet that will develop their talent. They introduced #PL2; they made it an U-21 competition; they changed it to an U-23 competition; they forced their U-21 sides into the EFL Trophy; they changed PL2 back to an U-21 competition; and now, we have this Frankenstein's monster of a tournament.

It all stinks.
Agree whole-heartedly. It is an abomination. Eastleigh sum it up brilliantly:

 


amexer

Well-known member
Aug 8, 2011
6,645
No Albion fan takes a keener interest in the development of our youngsters than me, as anyone on this board will testify.

However, I am also a football fan (in general) and I treasure the extraordinary football pyramid we have in this country. Albion have spent far more of their existence in the lower divisions than in the top 2 flights. Just because we struck gold with Tony Bloom being an Albion fan doesn't mean I'm willing to now consign all but 20 clubs to the dustbin.

The EFL Trophy (in its current guise with U-21 sides competing against 3rd and 4th tier teams) is an abomination of a tournament that no lower league fan wants. This competition is even more of a monstrosity, with the Premier League literally buying off the National League clubs to gain their support to abolish FA Cup replays.

The underlying issue here is that there is far too much at stake for PL clubs to "risk" playing their youngsters in league games and so they are on a constant search for the magic bullet that will develop their talent. They introduced #PL2; they made it an U-21 competition; they changed it to an U-23 competition; they forced their U-21 sides into the EFL Trophy; they changed PL2 back to an U-21 competition; and now, we have this Frankenstein's monster of a tournament.

It all stinks.
I bow to your better judgement but just dont understand why this stinks. From an Albion view it is another chance for our young players to experience mens football. I dont know how serious opposition are taking it but additional gate receipts for them which i trust PL club do not get a share
 


Bozza

You can change this
Helpful Moderator
Jul 4, 2003
56,754
Back in Sussex
No Albion fan takes a keener interest in the development of our youngsters than me, as anyone on this board will testify.

However, I am also a football fan (in general) and I treasure the extraordinary football pyramid we have in this country. Albion have spent far more of their existence in the lower divisions than in the top 2 flights. Just because we struck gold with Tony Bloom being an Albion fan doesn't mean I'm willing to now consign all but 20 clubs to the dustbin.

The EFL Trophy (in its current guise with U-21 sides competing against 3rd and 4th tier teams) is an abomination of a tournament that no lower league fan wants. This competition is even more of a monstrosity, with the Premier League literally buying off the National League clubs to gain their support to abolish FA Cup replays.

The underlying issue here is that there is far too much at stake for PL clubs to "risk" playing their youngsters in league games and so they are on a constant search for the magic bullet that will develop their talent. They introduced #PL2; they made it an U-21 competition; they changed it to an U-23 competition; they forced their U-21 sides into the EFL Trophy; they changed PL2 back to an U-21 competition; and now, we have this Frankenstein's monster of a tournament.

It all stinks.
I'll put you on the "undecided" list for now.
 










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