U21 International Tournament

[Canaryboy]

Norwich U21 are involved in a four group international tournament. In our group are Chelsea, Porto, and Borussia Monchengladbech.

Only clubs with a Category one status academy can enter it.

http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/news/news/2014-15/oct/premier-league-international-cup-launched.html

We are the only second tier club in the competition.

Good stuff, and hopefully more free or very cheap games for people to watch at Carrow Road. 

 

[KeiranShikari]

Pretty cool. Hope we take it somewhat seriously.

 

[Matt Hopkins]

Now we know why we have bought two more promising youngsters, one still at Swindon, McGrandles having the Colney indoctrination.

Add Redmond, the Murphy twins and the rest of the previous u 18 squad gives us a VERY good chance to make an impression.

 

[Din]

Good idea that.

 

[KeiranShikari]

FT: Dev Squad 3-5 Bilbao Athletic. #WHU21 #BPLIC

— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official)

October 15, 2014

Tournament opened with a cracker by the looks of it.

 

[Salopian]

Great feather in our cap, but we shall be up against some very good teams!

Some of the top teams burn money on buying youngsters with promise, and hope that one or two will make the grade, while others are discarded to teams like us.

 

[Bethnal Yellow and Green]

Norwich are in because other clubs didn't want to be a part of it, as it is deemed to be counter productive to the professional development of their players - Southampton being the most notable example.

Will be a nice experience for the younger players I'm sure.

 

[Canaryboy]

Norwich are in because other clubs didn't want to be a part of it, as it is deemed to be counter productive to the professional development of their players - Southampton being the most notable example.

Whilst it is true that we only got an invite because of teams who pulled out, it is not true that Southampton pulled out because they deemed it to be "counter productive".

The tournament was initially arranged but vetoed by UEFA, then the FA had to rearrange the tournament as entirely UK based to get around this. By the time they had rearranged (at very short notice) both Man Utd and Southampton had themselves arranged alternative fixtures for their development squads. They were both willing to participated before it was vetoed. 

So Southampton and Man Utd couldn't participate due to other commitments, which presumably they were contractually obliged to fulfill. The only team to opt out on other grounds were Liverpool, but can't find any reason given by them, but the fact that they are already participating in the UEFA Youth League (In a four team group with Real Madrid) may be part of the reason. 

 

[Bethnal Yellow and Green]

Whilst it is true that we only got an invite because of teams who pulled out, it is not true that Southampton pulled out because they deemed it to be "counter productive".

The tournament was initially arranged but vetoed by UEFA, then the FA had to rearrange the tournament as entirely UK based to get around this. By the time they had rearranged (at very short notice) both Man Utd and Southampton had themselves arranged alternative fixtures for their development squads. They were both willing to participated before it was vetoed. 

So Southampton and Man Utd couldn't participate due to other commitments, which presumably they were contractually obliged to fulfill. The only team to opt out on other grounds were Liverpool, but can't find any reason given by them, but the fact that they are already participating in the UEFA Youth League (In a four team group with Real Madrid) may be part of the reason. 

I spoke with someone at Southampton who works with the development squad and the academy, and he told me, directly, that they didn't want to be involved as it was 'counter productive' to their development plans.

I think there is some negativity from them towards the structure and organisation of this competition.

However, it should be a good experience for the Norwich players.

 

[Canaryboy]

I spoke with someone at Southampton who works with the development squad and the academy, and he told me, directly, that they didn't want to be involved as it was 'counter productive' to their development plans.

I think there is some negativity from them towards the structure and organisation of this competition.

However, it should be a good experience for the Norwich players.

Fair enough, insider information always welcome on here! 

I think its fantastic that we've been invited, really shows how the category one investment can pay dividends. 

Will be a tough test for us though, U21's have been struggling this season in our division. Somehow we've managed to get Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea, Spurs, Everton and Liverpool in our division.

Arsenal the only big club in the other division. Is that a good thing or a bad thing? 

 

[Dubai Mark]

Regardless of how we got in to this, its a great opportunity, and more fool those clubs that turned down the opportunity. What surprises me is that the local press didnt get on this first.......oh, we are talking Archant here arent we...so no surprise.