Author Topic: Under 23's / Academy Thread  (Read 640071 times)

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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #50 on: October 09, 2012, 01:00:03 PM »
interestingly if the punctuation is to be believed the set up is the same (4-2-3-1) as the first team,absolutely excellent in my eyes as imo it shows SC has been putting his stamp and beliefs on the whole club and we dont as has happened in the past have every team doing its own thing,making it easier for somebody to come in and do the job with minimum alteration.
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #51 on: October 09, 2012, 01:12:24 PM »
interestingly if the punctuation is to be believed the set up is the same (4-2-3-1) as the first team,absolutely excellent in my eyes as imo it shows SC has been putting his stamp and beliefs on the whole club and we dont as has happened in the past have every team doing its own thing,making it easier for somebody to come in and do the job with minimum alteration.

I was reading one of the matchdays programmes last season and Michael Appleton said something similar. He said there was no direction until Tony Mowbray came and asked them to play a specific way. I'm sure Appleton was the academy coach at that time. He wanted the emphasis on pass and move, quick flowing football. The same went for Di Matteo but by that time Appleton has been promoted to first team coach. He then said when Hodgson had assessed the youngsters he wanted them to develop there organisation skills so the objective came from pass and move football to retaining shape, similar to our first team. It appears that we're also looking to follow the footsteps of what Steve Clarke wants to do which is pleasing. Also enables players from the academy which join the first team to know exactly what to expect when they step up.
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #52 on: October 09, 2012, 01:17:17 PM »
Hopefully help youngsters develop getting more games and also for the national team too.
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #53 on: October 23, 2012, 10:36:08 AM »
http://www.wba.co.uk//news/article/blackburn-u21s-2-albion-u21s-0-440466.aspx?

Downing left ruing Baggies' lack of creativity
 TWO second-half goals put paid to the visitors’ hopes of securing a third successive win in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League at Leigh Sports Village.

 After a tight first-half, Blackburn hit Albion on the counter-attack in the 50th minute and Osayamen Osawe broke the deadlock after being released by Hugo Fernandez.

 A second goal from Curtis Haley in the final minute ended the Baggies’ hopes of nicking a point.

 Joint-assistant head coach Keith Downing was left ruing Albion’s lack of creativity.

 “It was a tight game with few chances at both ends,” he said.

 “In the first half, we looked pretty solid defensively.

 “Blackburn were very good at pressing the ball and there was little room in midfield. We couldn’t find the quality to unlock them.

 “We actually started the second half quite brightly but got caught out with a counter-attack goal.

 “The game then became very open. It was end to end and no-one really had control.

 “Then, towards the end, when we a little bit more offensive in trying to grab an equaliser, we left ourselves a bit more exposed and they got a second, which was a little bit harsh on us.

 “On reflection, I don’t think we did enough with the ball in the final third to win it. We didn’t really have a threat.”

 Liam O’Neil was taken off as a precaution early in the second half after suffering a bang to the head towards the end of the first 45.

 ALBION (from): Lewis; O’Neil (Atkinson), D Daniels, Gayle, Garmston; I Brown (Birch), Mantom, Thorne, O’Sullivan (A Jones); Sawyers, A Nabi. Subs not used: Pace, Palmer.

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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #54 on: October 23, 2012, 10:54:13 AM »
Interesting that you mention the formation, I went to watch my friends younger brother play for the under 14s on sunday against Manchester United at the training ground

They set up with the one lad up top and 2 supporting players with him.

Kind of like how the albion first teamers set up.

Very good footballing side, won 4-2.
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #55 on: October 23, 2012, 06:13:17 PM »
No El G ? Thought he would have got some game time - any reason he didn't play ?
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #56 on: November 08, 2012, 11:20:41 PM »
http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/albion-u21-3-reading-u21-3-455041.aspx
http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/everton-u21-2-albion-u21-1-469567.aspx


Drawed 3-3 Against Reading (Nabi, Sawyers and Roofe) followed by a 2-1 loss to Everton (El Ghanassy).

We are 6th in National group 1 with not that many games left before the league splits. If we want to get into one of the better leagues for the second half of the season, we could do with getting a few wins under our belt and soon.
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #57 on: November 08, 2012, 11:46:51 PM »
We all want the Academy lads to do well, but I think this new league system has really highlighted how far they still have to go to match the real heavyweights with prestigious, long-established youth systems (Arsenal, Liverpool, West Ham, etc).  When the leagues split around Christmas, I wonder if our boys might actually be better off confidence-wise if they go into the "middling" group and are one of the better teams among that set, than scraping their way into the "elite" group and potentially ending up as whipping boys.

Given a few more seasons hopefully we'll see our U-21s really competing with the Arsenals and West Hams, but for the time being I think it's best to have some patience with them and not pile too much expectation on their shoulders.
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #58 on: November 09, 2012, 07:32:57 PM »
What I find strange is that at under 16 level, we always seem to do very well and produce a number of players who make it for England school level, and yet once we get to under 21 level all of these players have faded while average youth set ups beat us. Is there a problem emerging in our coaching from 16-21?

I think it is too soon to say at the moment, but if we haven't produced a premier league player i the next couple of years from the numerous exciting schoolboy sides we have then we might need to have a look.
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #59 on: November 09, 2012, 07:37:37 PM »
What I find strange is that at under 16 level, we always seem to do very well and produce a number of players who make it for England school level, and yet once we get to under 21 level all of these players have faded while average youth set ups beat us. Is there a problem emerging in our coaching from 16-21?

I think it is too soon to say at the moment, but if we haven't produced a premier league player i the next couple of years from the numerous exciting schoolboy sides we have then we might need to have a look.

A very good point Baggies. Im not sure why that is either but it does appear to be a bit of a trend. We can only hope that one of the current crop breakthrough to the first eleven. Maybe thats a part of the problem in itself that the youth players dont have a role model to look up to so they can say "look he's done it why cant I"

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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #60 on: November 09, 2012, 07:51:05 PM »
Good point Ruby,i'm not taking into account the psychological effect of having never had a player break through in the premier league era and stay there, and in the development coaches defence, a number of our players have shown signs they can cope in the championship at least, but I would like top see players start to break through at the top level soon.

Villa, Everton, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Southampton all manage it, we really need to as well.
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #61 on: November 09, 2012, 07:58:12 PM »
Good point Ruby,i'm not taking into account the psychological effect of having never had a player break through in the premier league era and stay there, and in the development coaches defence, a number of our players have shown signs they can cope in the championship at least, but I would like top see players start to break through at the top level soon.

Villa, Everton, West Ham, Crystal Palace and Southampton all manage it, we really need to as well.

yes I dont know if that would be the case but we have to hope so. Taking your example of Everton. Since Rooney broke into the first team they seem to have at regular intervals been able to bring one through. Im thinking Rodwell Barkley Coleman. I do think it takes a brave coach as well to put trust in youngsters because at the end of the day its his job that is probably on the line. But it would be so nice to get Berahino for example back off loan and SC to take a punt and get him involved in the first team.

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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #62 on: November 11, 2012, 03:58:45 PM »
Beat Norwich's under 21s 4-0 today. Reid getting a run out too.

Nabi got a brace with Sawyers and Roofe getting the others.

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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #63 on: November 11, 2012, 04:33:56 PM »
Great win for the u21s today, really pleased to see Reid get a run out.
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #64 on: November 11, 2012, 06:11:57 PM »
Great win for the u21s today, really pleased to see Reid get a run out.

yes agreed he is obviously close to full fitness now. That is going to present SC with yet another selection headache because Billy was really excellent yesterday. Not a foregone conclusion that Reidy will walk back in now?

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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #65 on: November 11, 2012, 07:02:30 PM »
Its a good win. Glad to see Nabi scoring a few now as I was starting to think he had failed to develop into the player who we thought he would 2 or 3 years ago. Hopefully now we will have a strong finish to this first half of the season.
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #66 on: November 26, 2012, 12:30:08 AM »
2 away games on the trot have seen us lose 1-0 to West Ham and then beat Arsenal 2-1 with goals from Roofe and O'Neil.

We are now in third place going into the final game of the National Group Stage and if we can beat bottom placed Bolton at home and if results go our way we should go straight into the Elite Group, which gives you a more straightforward path to winning the over all title.

Tables:
http://www.myfootballfacts.com/U-21_Premier_League_2012-13.html

Away from the under 21 league, West Brom travel to Stourbridge on Tuesday defending the Birmingham Senior Cup we won last season. Pat Frost put a call out on twitter asking fans to get down to Stourbridge to support the team in the match, so if you are at a loose end on Tuesday, I suppose it could be a good game.
« Last Edit: November 26, 2012, 01:20:11 AM by Baggies »
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #67 on: November 26, 2012, 12:31:50 AM »
For those who want more information, see below link on the tournament set up. It is better for us to finish third and go into the Elite Groups as we will be facing better opposition and have a better chance of getting to the final.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/the-worlds-toughest-playground-new-under21-premier-league-kicks-off-8073635.html

U21 Premier League: How it works

The teams

There are 22 teams involved in the Under-21 Premier League, the 17 Premier League and five Championship clubs who applied for Category One academy status. Watford did apply but have withdrawn. The teams have been randomly drawn into three groups, in which they will play each other home and away.

National Group 1

Arsenal

Blackburn Rovers

Bolton Wanderers

Everton

Norwich City

Reading

West Bromwich Albion

West Ham United

National Group 2

Aston Villa

Manchester United

Newcastle United

Southampton

Stoke City

Sunderland

Tottenham Hotspur

National Group 3

Chelsea

Crystal Palace

Fulham

Liverpool

Manchester City

Middlesbrough

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Elite Group Stage

The top three teams from National Group 1, the top two teams from Groups 2 and 3 and the best third-placed team from Groups 2 and 3 will go into the eight-team Elite Group Stage, in which every team plays each other home and away.

Qualification Group Tiers 1 and 2

The remaining third-placed team, and the fourth, fifth and sixth-placed teams from all three National Groups will go into the 10-team Qualification Group Tier 1. The three seventh-placed teams and Group 1's eighth-placed team will go into Tier 2.

Knockout stage

The second and third teams from the Elite Group Stage will play a semi-final, while the first-placed team will face the winner of a play-off between the two winners of Qualification Group Tiers 1 and 2. The two winning semi-finalists will then meet in the final.
« Last Edit: November 26, 2012, 01:20:42 AM by Baggies »
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #68 on: December 12, 2012, 06:48:44 PM »
Our last outing saw us beat Bolton 2-1 before we head into the Christmas break. This was last monday.

Baggies secure place in Elite Group
ADIL Nabi’s 26th-minute wonder strike helped the Baggies earn a 2-1 victory over Bolton in the Barclays Under 21 Premier League.

The visitors went ahead through Adam Blakeman on 16 minutes before Ben Hampson’s own goal levelled the scores.

Nabi earned the Baggies a deserved lead ten minutes later when he curled the ball into the top-right hand corner from 25 yards.

The win sees David Oldfield’s side seal a spot in the Premier League's Elite Group following the Christmas break courtesy of their third-place finish.

Albion suffered an early scare with five minutes on the clock as Shane Lewis’ clearance struck Marvin Sordell on the back and landed wide of the Baggies goal.

The Wanderers were ahead after 16 minutes when Joe McKee’s cross-cum-shot was not gathered by Lewis and Blakeman was on hand to fire home from six yards.

David Oldfield’s outfit levelled inside ten minutes through a spectacular Nabi strike.

The 18-year-old turned McQuade from Kemar Roofe’s pass before stroking his 25-yard effort into the top right-hand corner.

Roofe could have made it 3-1 on 34 minutes but his 25-yard shot passed the left-hand post following good work from Rees Wedderburn.

Nabi should have grabbed another 60 seconds later but miss-hit his right-foot strike wide of the right-hand post.

The Baggies continued to apply pressure and Aaron Birch could might have extended Albion’s lead on 38 minutes but was unable to get a shot away after Roofe played him in.

Wanderers would have been level two minutes later had Alex McQuade fired his left-foot volley under the crossbar from Kelly’s corner.

David Oldfield’s team started the second half brightly and Roofe’s 25-yard free-kick on 47 was well saved by Lonergan in the Bolton goal.

The Trotters continued to manufacture chances with left-back Andy Kellett repeatedly breaking forward down the left.

The full-back fired a left-foot effort just over the bar from 20 yards with 50 minutes played.

The ball was in the Bolton net on 63 but Nabi was adjudged to have fouled McQuade before netting what would have been his second goal of the afternoon.

Moments later, Donervorn Daniels went on a meandering run, resulting in a low right-foot effort sailing just wide of the left-hand post following a tidy exchange with Nabi.

Daniels had a golden opportunity to double Albion’s lead on 73 but clipped his header wide from Roofe’s corner.

Alex Jones replaced Wedderburn on 84 and quickly caused problems for the visitors. Less than 60 seconds after taking to the field he broke down the right and pulled back for Roofe who was denied by a superb
one-handed save from Lonergan.

Albion soaked up substantial Bolton pressure in the final moments to claim all three points.
 
ALBION: Lewis; C Jones, D Daniels, C Dawson, Garmston; O’Neil, Birch; Roofe; A Nabi, Wedderburn (A Jones 81); Sawyers. Subs not used: Palmer, Barrow, Pace, Smart.

BOLTON: Lonergan; Riley, Kellett, McQuade, Hampson, Blakeman, Lester, Kelly (Woodland 80), Sordell (Odelusi 90), McKee (Iliev 71), Sampson. Subs not used: Threlkeld, Fielding.

GOALS: ALBION – Nabi (26), Hampson OG (41); BOLTON – Blakeman (16)

BOOKINGS: None.

REFEREE: Neil Radford (Worcestershire)

ALBION STARMAN: Adil Nabi
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #69 on: December 13, 2012, 04:23:10 AM »
Well done to the lads. Great effort.

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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #70 on: December 13, 2012, 09:06:36 AM »
Glad to hear that the lads beat bolton, well done.
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #71 on: December 13, 2012, 10:47:17 AM »
Cant remember the last time a young player broke through to become a regular first teamer to be honest.The days of Statham and Robson are long since gone!

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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #72 on: December 15, 2012, 08:42:09 AM »
Cant remember the last time a young player broke through to become a regular first teamer to be honest.The days of Statham and Robson are long since gone!

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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #73 on: December 15, 2012, 06:01:42 PM »
If we had been in the championship then we would have a number of home grown players like Wood, Berahino, Hurst, Thorne, maybe Mantom and maybe Daniels all playing full or bit parts in the campaign.

Being in the premier league however means our players have to move even quicker and this is our problem. It isnt impossible because Villa produce lots of players at this level and although they are probably the best at it, lots of other teams also bring through home grown players like Southampton and Crystal Palace.

Hopefully the next few years of player will produce one or two premier league quality players. If not, questions need to be asked.
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Re: Under 23's / Academy Thread
« Reply #74 on: January 05, 2013, 01:42:14 PM »
I was thinking that there didn't seem to have been any under 21/reserve matches lately and, having checked, found that the "season" seemingly finished on Dec 3rd! This makes no sense to me at all, as younger players and peripheral first team squad players need competitive matches to keep their fitness levels up and find some form. I know some players can go out on loan, but we also need a players playing for us using our shape and tactics.

Does anyone know why there are now so few under 21/reserve matches?