Boys v Men

[Albany]

All but one of the Premier U-21 teams have been eliminated from the EFL Vertu Trophy. No matter the level of talent youngsters playing against senior pro's are at a disadvantage. This scenario goes a long way to explain our inconsistency in League 1. Yes we have a bunch of very talented youngsters but players like Kpakio, Lawler, Fish, Mafico, Kellyman et al will get physically out muscled and outthought from time to time. This season is a development season for them, both in body strength and decision making.

[TheBirchgrovePub]

Re: Boys v Men

They play every game away which doesn’t help. But agree on the general point

[Rjk]

Re: Boys v Men

Yes it's always the case in this tournament - premier league academies rarely make it through the group stages against league one and two sides.

It is probably the case though that several of the players in each academy side won't end up as high as league one or two level.

I do remember seeing an article though a while back talking about the difference in age profiles that different positions tend to have - fullbacks and wingers were the youngest, with attacking midfielders not much behind.

The oldest were centre backs, central midfielders and centre forwards.

The article suggested that in some positions the natural physical attributes and talent are more important, but in others experience becomes more important.

[Loramski]

Re: Boys v Men

All but one of the Premier U-21 teams have been eliminated from the EFL Vertu Trophy. No matter the level of talent youngsters playing against senior pro's are at a disadvantage. This scenario goes a long way to explain our inconsistency in League 1. Yes we have a bunch of very talented youngsters but players like Kpakio, Lawler, Fish, Mafico, Kellyman et al will get physically out muscled and outthought from time to time. This season is a development season for them, both in body strength and decision making.

Good post this. As far as I know an u-21 team has only reached the semi-finals once, when a Chelsea side containing Reece James, Ampadu, Chalobah and Hudson-Odoi got beaten on penalties in 2018. TBP is right but, even so, there are some eye-opening results every season which back up the points you're making.

[tforturton]

Re: Boys v Men

Good post this. As far as I know an u-21 team has only reached the semi-finals once, when a Chelsea side containing Reece James, Ampadu, Chalobah and Hudson-Odoi got beaten on penalties in 2018.

And thank goodness for that. It seem unfair to me that a Trophy established to benefit clubs within the lower leagues could be won by a Premiership side, even if it is their U-21 team.

[Hilts]

Re: Boys v Men

Maybe our under 21s will win it.

[North Cardiff Blue]

Re: Boys v Men

All but one of the Premier U-21 teams have been eliminated from the EFL Vertu Trophy. No matter the level of talent youngsters playing against senior pro's are at a disadvantage. This scenario goes a long way to explain our inconsistency in League 1. Yes we have a bunch of very talented youngsters but players like Kpakio, Lawler, Fish, Mafico, Kellyman et al will get physically out muscled and outthought from time to time. This season is a development season for them, both in body strength and decision making.

Our under-eighteens/twenty ones battered them.

Something good is happening in the academy at Cardiff.

[goats]

Re: Boys v Men

All but one of the Premier U-21 teams have been eliminated from the EFL Vertu Trophy. No matter the level of talent youngsters playing against senior pro's are at a disadvantage. This scenario goes a long way to explain our inconsistency in League 1. Yes we have a bunch of very talented youngsters but players like Kpakio, Lawler, Fish, Mafico, Kellyman et al will get physically out muscled and outthought from time to time. This season is a development season for them, both in body strength and decision making.

We just need a few tough senior pros scattered amongst them…..

[North Cardiff Blue]

Re: Boys v Men

We just need a few tough senior pros scattered amongst them…..

A 25-year-old Gunnarsson, Morrison and Chopra would be good.

[goats]

Re: Boys v Men

A 25-year-old Gunnarsson, Morrison and Chopra would be good.

Who was the Scandinavian striker we had in 2012/13? Warrior like? We have some creative types in the middle, but we could so do with a tough 6:3 who can just break up play and distribute well…

[Dave Blue]

Re: Boys v Men

Who was the Scandinavian striker we had in 2012/13? Warrior like? We have some creative types in the middle, but we could so do with a tough 6:3 who can just break up play and distribute wellÂ…

Helguson 9 goals I believe.

[RichardM]

Re: Boys v Men

Who was the Scandinavian striker we had in 2012/13? Warrior like? We have some creative types in the middle, but we could so do with a tough 6:3 who can just break up play and distribute well…

Andreas Cornelius?

[ToTaL ITK]

Re: Boys v Men

I totally disagree with all view points both positive and negative on this issue