Academy & U21s

[bluebruce]

On 13/05/2023 at 20:50, Hannoverover said:

Just seen the final U21s table! Very close in the end with 3 teams tied on 28 points. Spurs went down on goal difference with their fancy academy. Bet Ash Phillips is relieved he stayed! Leicester also had a disaster with their modern multi-million pound academy too

Probably both clubs sent too many good youngsters out on loan.

[rigger]

52 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

Probably both clubs sent too many good youngsters out on loan.

Apart from Man City, there is very little between all the other teams in that division.

[Upside Down]

3 hours ago, rigger said:

Apart from Man City, there is very little between all the other teams in that division.

Exactly like the mens competition then.

[Guest]

A large intake of scholars this year, usually an indication of a promising group. 3x former Liverpool players in there, 'the Travis route' continues.

[wilsdenrover]

10 minutes ago, JoeH said:

A large intake of scholars this year, usually an indication of a promising group. 3x former Liverpool players in there, 'the Travis route' continues.

What is the process for becoming a scholar?

[Guest]

Premier League now proposing making the PL2 a 28 team league with no promotion or relegation. Obviously due to teams like Leicester and Spurs being relegated. 

Not only is that proposal just plain dumb, but Rovers will get no say. The only voting clubs will be teams in the Premier League, so despite Rovers status as a Cat One / PL2 Div 1 academy, the decision will be taken without our input.

Ridiculous.

[wilsdenrover]

8 minutes ago, JoeH said:

Premier League now proposing making the PL2 a 28 team league with no promotion or relegation. Obviously due to teams like Leicester and Spurs being relegated. 

Not only is that proposal just plain dumb, but Rovers will get no say. The only voting clubs will be teams in the Premier League, so despite Rovers status as a Cat One / PL2 Div 1 academy, the decision will be taken without our input.

Ridiculous.

Are they suggesting a 54 game season or that clubs only play each other once?

[Upside Down]

With no relegation or promotion the league is a Mickley mouse league. 

[Mattyblue]

It’s a development league, so why should there be relegation?

Just make two divisions of 14 and let the winners of each have a ‘grand final’ or whatever. As long as clubs get some gems for the first team each year that’s all that matters.

 

[Guest]

9 hours ago, wilsdenrover said:

Are they suggesting a 54 game season or that clubs only play each other once?

I assume the latter

1 hour ago, Mattyblue said:

It’s a development league, so why should there be relegation?

I think it's very important for the PL2 to have some risk and reward. Competitiveness and the lack thereof at U21's level is a serious problem. Yes we're preparing footballers technically and physically, but also mentally. If it means nothing, then you make it nothing. 

[Guest]

It would make some sense if they North/South the PL2. Some of the long distance trips for young players are a bit silly and the costs are very high for some clubs who don't have PL money.

Pretty sure some of the cups are N/S until the latter stages at this level also.

[wilsdenrover]

5 minutes ago, JoeH said:

I assume the latter

I think it's very important for the PL2 to have some risk and reward. Competitiveness and the lack thereof at U21's level is a serious problem. Yes we're preparing footballers technically and physically, but also mentally. If it means nothing, then you make it nothing. 

Exactly, how can it be preparing them for the ‘trials and tribulations’ of a promotion push/relegation battle, if no such thing exists at the ‘development level’

[Mattyblue]

If you say so, it doesn’t look particularly competitive anyway from what I see in games. 

[Guest]

28 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

If you say so, it doesn’t look particularly competitive anyway from what I see in games. 

Exactly. The answer to a lack of competitiveness isn't to remove all competitiveness.

[Mattyblue]

It is what it is, it will never be ‘competitive’, it’s glorified training matches.

A first teamer getting back to fitness will always go through the motions, the cream of the crop like Phillips and Wharton will still make the first team - you want competition, win one of the cups.

Edited May 17, 2023 by Mattyblue

[rigger]

2 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

It is what it is, it will never be ‘competitive’, it’s glorified training matches.

A first teamer getting back to fitness will always go through the motions, the cream of the crop like Phillips and Wharton will still make the first team - you want competition, win one of the cups.

 

2 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

It is what it is, it will never be ‘competitive’, it’s glorified training matches.

A first teamer getting back to fitness will always go through the motions, the cream of the crop like Phillips and Wharton will still make the first team - you want competition, win one of the cups.

Not for the young lads whose footballing futures are on the line.

[Mattyblue]

The games aren’t *competitive*, doesn’t mean that individual young lads aren’t committed.

[Guest]

5 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

The games aren’t *competitive*, doesn’t mean that individual young lads aren’t committed.

With promotion, relegation, a league table and cups - the games are competitive. It's not friendlies. But if you remove two of the key elements there then you do make it friendlies.

[Mattyblue]

So we wouldn’t be seeing the likes of Adam Wharton and Phillips without relegation at U21 level? (Despite not having it at U18s?)

Edited May 17, 2023 by Mattyblue

[Guest]

Just now, Mattyblue said:

So we wouldn’t be seeing the likes of Adam Wharton and Phillips without relegation at U21 level? (Despite not having it at U18s?)

I don't think anybody said that. What was said, in reality, was that the PL2 lacks competitiveness and removing even more competitiveness isn't a good thing for mental development.

Yes we'd be seeing the likes of Wharton and Phillips, but would they be better or worse off mentally, even if tangible I'd say worse.

[Mattyblue]

I would wager it won’t make one iota of difference to the quality of player we would see getting into the first team here - which is the entire point of being Cat 1.

So keep it, remove it, makes no odds.

[wilsdenrover]

32 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

I would wager it won’t make one iota of difference to the quality of player we would see getting into the first team here - which is the entire point of being Cat 1.

So keep it, remove it, makes no odds.

It might not make a difference to them getting into the first team, but do you not think it would make a difference to how they ‘coped’ with a promotion push/relegation battle whilst in the first team?

[Guest]

55 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

I would wager it won’t make one iota of difference to the quality of player we would see getting into the first team here - which is the entire point of being Cat 1.

So keep it, remove it, makes no odds.

I disagree 👍

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

22 minutes ago, wilsdenrover said:

It might not make a difference to them getting into the first team, but do you not think it would make a difference to how they ‘coped’ with a promotion push/relegation battle whilst in the first team?

Or chucked in against the likes of Luton away.

[Mattyblue]

43 minutes ago, wilsdenrover said:

It might not make a difference to them getting into the first team, but do you not think it would make a difference to how they ‘coped’ with a promotion push/relegation battle whilst in the first team?

No