[Hunnington Baggie]

I believe that there are two "seasons" last season was the groups and the highest two of each group go to the Elite group and the rest into a regular group, I think it's later this year around Feb/March to the end of the actual season.

But then I'm guessing!

[Slimbo]

I believe that there are two "seasons" last season was the groups and the highest two of each group go to the Elite group and the rest into a regular group, I think it's later this year around Feb/March to the end of the actual season.

But then I'm guessing!

This is the future of grassroots football, to have two "seasons" in one season, one pre Christmas and the other post Christmas

[lippybaggie]

Im planning on going down to London colney to watch the 21s tomorrow - first day in London from Sydney and what a start to the trip! Any info on how to get tickets or location of ground or who's in team?

[leeiswba]

This match is a behind closed doors match so unfortunatley mate it is not open to the public.

[LiamTheBaggie]

Dates set for Albion's Elite Group games
ALBION will kick off the Elite Group stage of their Barclays U21 Premier League campaign at Arsenal on Wednesday, January 9 (ko 1pm).

The Baggies will face Tottenham, Manchester United, Wolves, West Ham, Liverpool and Southampton, in addition to the Gunners.

David Oldfield’s outfit qualified for the Elite Group after finishing third in National Group 1 prior to the Christmas break.

Albion's first game at The Hawthorns is against Wolves on Monday, February 4 (ko 7pm).

To view their fixtures - Click Here

[OldburyWBA]

Under 21's drew 1-1 at Arsenal today, only players of note for us Scott Allan, Sam Mantom and Luke Daniels whilst Arsenal had 7 members of their first-team squad including Diaby and Oxlade-Chamberlain in their side.

http://arsenalyouth.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/diaby-returns-but-frimpong-sent-off-as-u21s-draw-with-west-brom/

Arsenal U21s began their Elite Group campaign with a hard-fought draw against West Bromwich Albion at London Colney this afternoon. West Brom took the lead early on, but Andre Santos levelled for a largely experienced Arsenal outfit, for whom Emmanuel Frimpong was sent off late on.

Coach Terry Burton called upon an extremely strong side, with seven members of the first-team squad making the starting line-up. Abou Diaby and Santos made their first appearances following spells on the sidelines, whilst Frimpong, Vito Mannone, Carl Jenkinson, Francis Coquelin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were also called upon. Conor Henderson, meanwhile, marked his return from a frustrating loan spell at Coventry City by making the bench.

Mannone

Jenkinson-Angha-Hajrovic-Santos

Coquelin-Frimpong

Eisfeld-Diaby-Chamberlain

Akpom

subs: C-Cook, Monteiro, Bihmoutine, Henderson (for Diaby, 67), Ansah (for Chamerlain, 70).

West Brom, in contrast, named a rather inexperienced side, with midfielder Scott Allan their most prominent player, and it was no surprise that Arsenal started the brightest of the two sides, with Jenkinson seeing a shot pushed away by Luke Daniels.

Coquelin then tried his luck from distance, before Chuba Akpom, one of the few players in the side without first-team experience, was flagged for offside having been played through by Jenkinson.

Despite the Arsenal pressure, however, it was the visitors who struck the first notable blow, with Mannone left stranded when the alert Adil Nabi headed home a well-delivered free-kick.

Frimpong hit a deflected effort on goal as some means of retaliation, but Mannone had to react quickly at the other end to prevent Romaine Sawyers from doubling West Brom’s advantage, with the Italian making an impressive stop at the feet of the striker.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was a lively presence throughout the first-half, then stung the palms of Daniels with a typically ferocious shot from the edge of the area, before Akpom and Frimpong both came close to restoring parity.

The equaliser finally came on the stroke of half-time as Diaby, impressive on his return, threaded the ball through to Santos, after it was allowed to run by Frimpong, and the Brazilian slotted past Daniels to make it 1-1.

Arsenal, buoyed by their goal, began the second period in the ascendancy, with Akpom seeing a header saved following a precise delivery from Oxlade-Chamberlain. Shortly afterwards, Martin Angha saw a shot cleared off the line by the alert Sawyers.

Santos then struck a free-kick wide from distance, before Henderson entered the fray in place of Diaby. Henderson nearly made an instant impact, but Daniels just about managed to hold his swerving effort.

Just when it looked as if an Arsenal winner was somewhat inevitable, Nabi tested Mannone twice in quick succession, before Frimpong reduced Arsenal’s chances of a late winner by being sent off for a rash challenge having already picked up a yellow card.

That proved to be the last meaningful action of an entertaining game, and one which Arsene Wenger will no doubt be pleased with having seen several members of his squad, Diaby especially, come through unscathed.

Arsenal’s next game is away to Southampton later this month.

[Adder]

That sounds a good result against a far more experienced Arsenal team. Nabi seems to get on the scoresheet quite a bit, anyone seen him play ?

[Hunnington Baggie]

That sounds a good result against a far more experienced Arsenal team. Nabi seems to get on the scoresheet quite a bit, anyone seen him play ?

Can't say I have but i think he's about 17 and in that second wave of academy products with Donervon Daniels. Probably just overshadowed by Chris and Saido in the public eye.

[Baggies]

Nabi is 18 at the moment, 19 in February or March now. He was great at schoolboy level and started well at academy level but faded. He hasn't developed much physically and here might be question marks over his pace and power at the pro level but he seems to be scoring again now he has gone from under 18's to under 21's level.

When I have seen him, he has bee very lively and confident. He seems to play just behind the strikers and likes to go for goal.

[GrGr]

That was a very encouraging result. By the looks of it we weren't played off the park but held our own for large parts of the game and created several chances of our own.

http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/arsenal-u21-1-albion-u21-1-588525.aspx

Baggies earn valuable point in first Elite Group fixture


ALBION drew 1-1 at Arsenal in their opening Barclays U21 Premier League Elite Group fixture at London Colney earlier today.

Adil Nabi’s 22nd-minute header gave the Baggies the lead but Brazil international left-back Andre Santos pulled one back for the hosts moments before the half-time interval.

Terry Burton’s outfit also included Arsenal big guns Emmanuel Frimpong, Francis Coquelin, Abou Diaby and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

And development coach David Oldfield believes it was important to put in a solid performance in their first game following the Christmas break.

“The boys played well and worked very hard,” said Oldfield.

“They worked as a team which is what was needed today against a strong Arsenal team.

“It was a pleasing performance and a positive result.

“It’s not all about results but it’s good to come to Arsenal and get a draw.

“We played against one or two of their big boys and equipped ourselves well.

“The lads worked hard, passed the ball well, and were very much a part of the game.

“We talked before the game about the talented young players Arsenal have and it’s always a good challenge to play against proven professionals.”

ARSENAL: Mannone; Jenkinson, Hajrovic, Angha, Santos; Oxlade-Chamberlain (Ansah 70), Diaby (Henderson 65), Coquelin, Frimpong; Akpom, Eisfeld. Subs not used: Charles-Cook, Monteiro, Bihmoutine.

ALBION: L Daniels; Atkinson, Gayle, C Jones, Garmston; O’Neil, Birch; A Nabi, Mantom (Pace 70), Allan; Sawyers. Subs not used: Lewis (gk); Ambalu, Francis, Wedderburn.

GOALS: Albion – Nabi (22) Arsenal – Santos (45)

SENDING-OFF: Arsenal – Frimpong (second bookable offence 90+1)

REFEREE: Keith Hill

[GrGr]

As an aside. Is Terry Burton back with us again? Haven't heard anything about that one, thought he left to coach for Dave Jones at Sheffield Wednesday.

[AlbionDaz]

He aint very loyal if he is with us,he was managing the Arsenal kids ;p

[GrGr]

Aha that explains it! 

[LiamTheBaggie]

We take on the dingles tonight.

Teams are:

Albion U21 team v Wolves: Daniels; Hurst, Atkinson, O’Neil, Smart; Birch, Allan; S Nabi, A Nabi, Roofe; Sawyers. Subs: Palmer (gk); Pace, Wedderburn, Francis, I Brown.

Wolves U21 team v Albion: De Vries, Cranston, Tank, Ihiekwe, Reckord, Price, Evans, Whittall, Hunt, McAlinden, Winnall. Subs: Cotman, Jakobsson, Kellermann, Ismail, Parry.

[lewisant]

Are the Nabis bros/twins?! Hopefully better than our last set!

[LiamTheBaggie]

Half time.

Albion 0 Dingles 0

[LiamTheBaggie]

WBAFCofficial ?@WBAFCofficial

FT: Albion U21 1 (Roofe 74) Wolves U21 0

  

[hardtobeat]

well done the Baggy babbies!

[AlbionBest]

WBAFCofficial ?@WBAFCofficial

FT: Albion U21 1 (Roofe 74) Wolves U21 0

  

We Know What We Are !

[Adder]

Are the Nabis bros/twins?! Hopefully better than our last set!

Brothers and it sounds like there's a third on the books as well.

[LiamTheBaggie]

http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/wolves-h-u21-match-report-639066.aspx

Baggies battle to deserved victory at The Hawthorns
KEMAR Roofe’s unstoppable strike was enough to seal all three points for Albion in their Barclays U21 Premier League Elite Group clash with Wolves at The Hawthorns this evening.

The Baggies had the better of both possession and chances throughout the fixture but were unable to make either count until Roofe fired a rocket into the back of Dorus De Vries’ net on 74 minutes.

David Oldfield selected an inexperienced Baggies XI featuring Scott Allan, Luke Daniels, James Hurst, Romaine Sawyers and Kemar Roofe.

While the visitors had Stephen Hunt in their starting line-up as he continued his recuperation following hip surgery in October.   

And Albion’s Black Country neighbours were nearly ahead after ten minutes when Sam Whittall headed just over from Hunt’s in-swinging free-kick. 

The Baggies carved out a chance of their own on 21 but De Vries parried Sawyers’ low ten-yard strike from Adil Nabi’s throughball. 

Seven minutes later Adil’s younger brother Samir struck over after finding the space to turn and shoot inside the visitors’ penalty area. 

Allan made his first real impact on the game in the 33rd minute as his 25-yard pass split Wolves’ defence in two but Jamie Tank recovered to deny Roofe with a last-ditch tackle.

Oldfield’s young side continued to establish their superiority on the game as the half drew on and they were close to taking the lead on 36 minutes with Roofe’s powerful effort passing narrowly over De Vries’ bar from 18 yards. 

Albion squandered another good opportunity to take the lead on 39 and this time it was Adil Nabi who blasted wide from Sawyers’ throughball.

Jack Price was on hand to clear James Hurst’s low volley off the line from Roofe’s corner two minutes before the half-time whistle.

Hunt could have put Wanderers ahead in first-half stoppage time but his weakly-hit free-kick sailed well over Daniels’ goal from 20 yards out. 

And the Baggies went into the interval wondering how they were not ahead after dominating much of the first 45 minutes.

Oldfield’s outfit returned from the break unchanged while the visitors made one substitution with Stephen Hunt making way for Zeli Ismail.

Wolves started the second half somewhat rejuvenated and Daniels needed to be alert to block Price from Sam Winnall’s throughball seven minutes after the restart.

Adil Nabi was again the focal point of Albion’s attack 60 seconds later and should have at least placed his left-foot effort on target from inside ten yards but instead struck over.

Moments later Roofe ran down the left wing and provided an excellent cross for Adil Nabi but his weak header fell straight into the arms of De Vries. 

But Roofe took the derby by the scruff of the neck on 74 and blasted a right-foot thunderbolt into the top-right-hand corner from 25 yards.

The Baggies were good value for their lead and comfortably saw out the remaining 16 minutes of the fixture to collect all three points at The Hawthorns.

ALBION (4-2-3-1): Daniels; Hurst, Atkinson, O’Neil, Smart; Birch, Allan; Roofe (Wedderburn 85), A Nabi, S Nabi (I Brown 75); Sawyers. Subs not used: Palmer (gk); Pace, Francis.

WOLVES (4-4-2): De Vries; Cranston, Tank, Ihiekwe (c), Reckord; Price, Evans, Whittall, Hunt (Ismail HT); McAlinden (Parry 75), Winnall.  Subs not used: Cotman, Jakobsson, Kellermann.

GOALS: ALBION – Roofe (74)

BOOKINGS: None.

REFEREE: M Dexter (Leicestershire)

ATTENDANCE: 446

ALBION STARMAN: Kemar Roofe

[WBASPE77]

Great to see the good run against Wolves is still going.

[The Black Pearl]

Always nice to see a goal against the Dingles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5zg1IfXKA4&feature=youtu.be

[Adder]

couple of nice bits of play there - and a great goal

[GrGr]

Great shot, but very strange goal, one Albion player surrounded by eight Wolves, yet he scored.