New U21 league - Middlesbrough's group announced

[Powlay]

The new structure really isnt advertised yet but i suspect in groups its like the academy where its a definate 1 home 1 away.

Middlesbrough u21's are in a group with Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City, Fulham, Wolves and Crystal Palace.

So thats 10 games. When Chelsea announced it they also mentioned derby games with arsenal and spurs, so there will be outta group games for sure.

More info when its known.

OOOOO TRIPS TO LONDON WOOO!

[richmfc]

some difficult games. im sure the coaches are glad theyve got some hard games

[Armster]

that sounds a bloody good if not hard league to complete in

[mcgannd]

Do we have any idea what we are to have next season as a reserves / development team. Are they to be in a league ?

Is the u21 league to be an addition or an alternative ?

[Powlay]

im led to believe the U21 team will replace the development/reserve side.

But then ive read things which say reserve sides are staying in reserve leagues and its to suppliment them.

In all honesty....i dont know.

[mcgannd]

Thanks Powlay but I thought you might have the definitive answer.

Logic says that if you are over 21 then you have no future in Boro football if you are not in the first team squad. I think that this is an unlikely result immediately. However it may be that this is the next step.

We are clearly seeing the overall reduction of professional players judging by the number of out of contract players. The speculation has to be therefore that our reserve players are to be on loan at Blue square prem clubs or in league one/two if the do not meet the age criteria for u 21.

The league the reserves played in last year is not of a sufficiently high standard to guarentee that the players are challenged often enough to make good progress. Nor did it play often enough to give a continuity of competitive fixtures.

All we can do is await the answer and see how it pans out

[Barticus]

How will it work if you have a player coming back from injury, the reserves were used as a way of trying them out and getting them match fit before returning to the 1st team, I remember Junihno playing in the reserves with a bumper Riverside crowd there to watch

[Powlay]

You are allowed 3 over age players in the U21s plus no age restrictions on the gk'er

[Barticus]

Cheers Powlay that makes more sense

[Powlay]

yeah sorry i should have given more details.

The U18 groups i dont know yet, thats stricklty U18s not U18s with 3 outfield over age players (3rd years) and an over age gk (3rd year)

So its moved around a little.