Academy & U21s

[bluebruce]

1 hour ago, Waggy76 said:

Was he really good enough or just for academy minutes ?

He was very, very highly rated here. He was our youngest ever debutant and attracted Prem clubs, he wasn't playing just to put out some academy minutes but because we saw him as having a bright future with us.

[roversfan99]

That 1 minute at the end of a cup game was definitely primarily a play to get more money at tribunal.

[rigger]

2 hours ago, Waggy76 said:

Was he really good enough or just for academy minutes ?

How could anyone have seen if he had potential to be any good ?🤣

[JamieUK]

1 hour ago, rigger said:

How could anyone have seen if he had potential to be any good ?🤣

Alright Pasha... 😉

[MarkBRFC]

15 hours ago, bluebruce said:

He was in our senior squad at 16. He's moved backwards. The only 'right thing' about it is for his short term pay packet.

Doesn't matter.

There is no future here, as the senior players are showing.

He did the right thing getting away from here, bonus that he managed it before really playing a game.

[chaddyrovers]

 

 

 

[KentExile]

U18s play Newcastle today at 12:30.  Eze  starts, Joseph on the bench

lost 3-0

Edited Saturday at 13:29 by KentExile

[arbitro]

3 minutes ago, KentExile said:

U18s play Newcastle today at 12:30.  Eze  starts, Joseph on the bench

score/update

Harvey Higgins isn't involved.

[KentExile]

5 minutes ago, arbitro said:

Harvey Higgins isn't involved.

Nope, although I suppose its possible he may be with U21s on Monday?   Especially if rumours are true that Mafoumbi has now been released

Edited Saturday at 11:26 by KentExile

[arbitro]

5 minutes ago, KentExile said:

Nope, although I suppose its possible he may be with U21s on Monday?   Especially if rumours are true that Mafoumbi has now been released

Hopefully he is.

[KentExile]

U21s are away at Everton this eve, 7pm kick off

Preview

score/update

 

 

New convoluted rules for PL2

Participating clubs are divided into six seeding pots of five teams, based on performances over the previous three seasons. Fixtures are then determined by a draw made according to clubs’ positions in the six seeded pots. 

Across the 20 matchweeks, teams play each club in their own seeding pot once, as well as three or four teams from all other pots, either home or away.

Results generate a combined table ranking the 29 teams, with the top 16 teams qualifying for the elimination play-offs, where teams are drawn against each other based on their final league positions.

In a change for 2025-26, the eight Premier League 2 teams finishing in positions from 17th to 24th will go into a new, cross-category play-off competition, along with the top eight teams from the Professional Development League (Category 2).

Edited 17 hours ago by KentExile

[chaddyrovers]

 

 

 

 

 

[chaddyrovers]

 

 

 

[KentExile]

Does whoever is updating the Rovers twitter account not know who our own players are?

 

[KentExile]

That sounds unfortunate, but typical for this week

 

Edited 14 hours ago by KentExile

[bluebruce]

13 hours ago, KentExile said:

 

New convoluted rules for PL2

Participating clubs are divided into six seeding pots of five teams, based on performances over the previous three seasons. Fixtures are then determined by a draw made according to clubs’ positions in the six seeded pots. 

Across the 20 matchweeks, teams play each club in their own seeding pot once, as well as three or four teams from all other pots, either home or away.

Results generate a combined table ranking the 29 teams, with the top 16 teams qualifying for the elimination play-offs, where teams are drawn against each other based on their final league positions.

In a change for 2025-26, the eight Premier League 2 teams finishing in positions from 17th to 24th will go into a new, cross-category play-off competition, along with the top eight teams from the Professional Development League (Category 2).

I can't even express how much I hate this, and how unnecessary it is. Total load of old bollocks.

[KentExile]

Match report from last night

https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2025/august/18/report--everton-under-21s-1-0-rovers-under-21s/

[arbitro]

A really good performance from the under 21's in what was a really enjoyable game although I, along with some other people almost didn't get in. A simple process of paying to watch a match was so difficult and frustrating.

The was no Batty in the squad which surprised me. 

We were the better team in the first half and although the game did ebb and flow we created three good chances and had a Leonard goal disallowed for offside. I spoke to a couple of old refereeing colleagues at half time and they were really impressed with Rovers.

The second half was more even with Everton probably shading it and Goddard making some smart saves. He was desperately unlucky with the goal which rebounded off his back/head after hitting the post.

We were unlucky to lose particularly in those circumstances. Defensively we were solid and although sometimes sloppy in possession by and large did well in the midfield area. Leonard worked extremely hard up front and looked strong although it was obvious his touch is lacking after his injuries.

I don't get the reasoning behind having Mullarkey-Matthews on the bench for the first team (in a similar way to Montgomery). He was arguably Rovers least impressive performer last night and has never really showed me enough to warrant such an elevation.

[TugaysMarlboro]

9 minutes ago, arbitro said:

A really good performance from the under 21's in what was a really enjoyable game although I, along with some other people almost didn't get in. A simple process of paying to watch a match was so difficult and frustrating.

The was no Batty in the squad which surprised me. 

We were the better team in the first half and although the game did ebb and flow we created three good chances and had a Leonard goal disallowed for offside. I spoke to a couple of old refereeing colleagues at half time and they were really impressed with Rovers.

The second half was more even with Everton probably shading it and Goddard making some smart saves. He was desperately unlucky with the goal which rebounded off his back/head after hitting the post.

We were unlucky to lose particularly in those circumstances. Defensively we were solid and although sometimes sloppy in possession by and large did well in the midfield area. Leonard worked extremely hard up front and looked strong although it was obvious his touch is lacking after his injuries.

I don't get the reasoning behind having Mullarkey-Matthews on the bench for the first team (in a similar way to Montgomery). He was arguably Rovers least impressive performer last night and has never really showed me enough to warrant such an elevation.

I've wondered similar at times. I cannot comment on their performances for the U21's, but I get the impression the academy players are all much of a muchness. Excluding the obvious Wharton's and Tyjons, the optics are that you get your opportunity if the manager at the time likes you and you take on board his tactics, if you don't, chance gone. 

[KentExile]

23 minutes ago, arbitro said:

I don't get the reasoning behind having Mullarkey-Matthews on the bench for the first team (in a similar way to Montgomery). He was arguably Rovers least impressive performer last night and has never really showed me enough to warrant such an elevation.

Only reason I can think of is a complete lack of competition out wide in the first team, and he is a bit of an athlete (which Ismael seems to like) which puts him ahead of Doherty, Wood etc in Ismael's thinking

Edited 3 hours ago by KentExile

[roversfan99]

30 minutes ago, arbitro said:

A really good performance from the under 21's in what was a really enjoyable game although I, along with some other people almost didn't get in. A simple process of paying to watch a match was so difficult and frustrating.

The was no Batty in the squad which surprised me. 

We were the better team in the first half and although the game did ebb and flow we created three good chances and had a Leonard goal disallowed for offside. I spoke to a couple of old refereeing colleagues at half time and they were really impressed with Rovers.

The second half was more even with Everton probably shading it and Goddard making some smart saves. He was desperately unlucky with the goal which rebounded off his back/head after hitting the post.

We were unlucky to lose particularly in those circumstances. Defensively we were solid and although sometimes sloppy in possession by and large did well in the midfield area. Leonard worked extremely hard up front and looked strong although it was obvious his touch is lacking after his injuries.

I don't get the reasoning behind having Mullarkey-Matthews on the bench for the first team (in a similar way to Montgomery). He was arguably Rovers least impressive performer last night and has never really showed me enough to warrant such an elevation.

Did Montgomery not stand out at under 21 level either?

Certainly doesnt look close to being at first team level.

[arbitro]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

Did Montgomery not stand out at under 21 level either?

Certainly doesnt look close to being at first team level.

He certainly didn't stand out for me.

[KentExile]

2 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Did Montgomery not stand out at under 21 level either?

Certainly doesnt look close to being at first team level.

He always looked a similar level (maybe slightly better than) to Adam Caddick (who we released this summer) to me

Neat & tidy, but nothing more

Edited 2 hours ago by KentExile

[arbitro]

19 minutes ago, TugaysMarlboro said:

I've wondered similar at times. I cannot comment on their performances for the U21's, but I get the impression the academy players are all much of a muchness. Excluding the obvious Wharton's and Tyjons, the optics are that you get your opportunity if the manager at the time likes you and you take on board his tactics, if you don't, chance gone. 

I was thinking the very same thing on the drive home. 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

2 minutes ago, arbitro said:

He certainly didn't stand out for me.

Modern footballer for me. He can run a bit, tackle a bit, head the ball a bit, pass the ball 20 yards. Has he got the “ X” factor ? Can he make play ? Not that I can see.