The 2013/2014 Spurs Under 21 Thread

Once again we will be competing in the Barclays Under 21 Premier League.

For this season there will be one national division comprising of 22 category 1 Academies.

The Academies involved are - Arsenal, Aston Villa, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Leicester City, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Newcastle United, Norwich City, Reading, Southampton, Stoke City, Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, West Bromwich Albion, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Having played each other once, either home or away, the top four teams in the table will progress to the semi final stage and final to determine the overall Barclays Under 21 PL winners.

This season each team is required to play at least 3 of heir home games at their home stadium. Our 3 nominated games to take place at WHL, are Norwich City on Monday 2 September, Manchester United on Friday 11 October and Arsenal on Friday 28 March, all with a 7pm kick off. All other games are expected to take place at Hotspur Way, usually with a 12 noon start.

We begin our campaign on Friday of this week (9th) at Aldershot against Chelsea with a 7pm kick off. The reason it is at Aldershot, is that clubs are permitted to play up to 3 games at a nominated other ground, in the same way we have used Leyton Orient's ground for NextGen games in the past.

Our first home game is on Monday 19 August at 12 noon against Manchester City.

Many of last years successful squad have moved on or are away on loan, and with very little playing time in pre season for a lot of the lads, it will be difficult to make the same early impact on the competition as we did last season. Players to keep an eye out for are the exciting Kenneth McEvoy who is the Gareth Bale lookalike and the highly regarded Milos Veljkovic.

 

do you know why aldershot rather than another team?
If i still lived there i would go see that game.

 

In the days when the reserve league existed, Chelsea played their home fixtures at Aldershot. I guess they still have close links.

 

Bigger test of the kids this season, just as the Nextgen was last season,
But this was always going to be the measure of the Academy (sufficient kids
coming thru the ranks in regularity, or dribs and drabs) .

 

They changed the format again?! I take it we can still have over age players and loaned out players if they haven't played on the weekend? Good to see there will be some more games at whl next season.

 

Think there were at least two games at WHL last season (Spurcat will remember) .

 

OS,

In your role at the club, do you watch the U21's home & away?

 

Spurcat ...my inbox is empty.

 

The Everton game and the Barca Nextgen one are the only ones that spring to mind.

 

Villa and Southampton during Autumn 2012.

 

Last season we were only obliged to play 2 games at WHL. The games were Aston Villa and Everton.

 

Forget that. RDBD is correct, Southampton at the Lane makes 3 for last season.

 

So he isn't just a lookalike, he's actually a talented young guy? how highly is he rated?

 

My source of home fixture locations was not from the OS. Make of that what you will.

 

Baby Bale IMHO is more Lennon-esque in his speed, than the
beastly rampaging you get from Bale.

His end delivery on crossing has been ok when I've watched him play.
But the coaches will now doubt work on getting that even better.

 

Trying to resist the urge to make a Swindon joke...

 

Anyone who is planning to attend our opening game at Aldershot on Friday evening will be pleased to hear that entry is free.

 

How is Aldershot earning out that Spurcat?

Not a factious comment, just idle curiosity.

 

Chelsea are paying them for use of the ground

 

Chelsea have strong links with Aldershot and have this week agreed to play over 20 games there this season and again next season. This is made up of under 19 and under 21 games.

I guess they will play all their under 19 games there and all other under 21 "home" games other tHan those they are obliged to play at the Bridge by under 21 league rules.

As I understand, it is only this Friday where admission will be free and there will be an admission price for all other games.