The week ahead: 22nd-28th December 2014

It’s a fairly quiet week ahead as 2014 winds down, however there’s still plenty at stake in the Under-21 age group before the festive break…

Under-21 Premier League Cup

The last-16 of the Premier League Cup commences today (Monday) as Newcastle United host West Ham and the holders Reading travel to Bolton Wanderers. Both West Ham and Newcastle needed extra-time (the Hammers requiring a penalty shootout) to progress past Millwall and Crewe Alexandra respectively, while the Royals recorded the biggest win of the last round as they comfortably beat QPR 3-0.

20-year-old striker Dominic Samuel netted the Reading opener in that win and goes into the New Year joint-second in the Under-21 Premier League top goalscorer stakes after seven goals in eight starts. He will be looking to end the year on a high as Martin Kuhl’s side look to defend their crown.

The round-of-32 still has one tie remaining as Charlton meet Brighton, also tonight. The two sides are playing for a last-16 trip to Huddersfield Town, who recorded an impressive 2-0 win over Everton last week.

Under-21 Premier League International Cup

This inaugural Premier League competition has gone down with mixed reviews in its early days, with the late scheduling forcing clubs to squeeze group games in now rather than utilise the competitive action in September, October and November, when the Under-21 calendar was sparse. Combined with a host of the top English academies opting out and only eight of the 16 participating sides falling under the ‘international’ umbrella (that’s generously counting Celtic as well) and you have a competition that is fairly low down the priority list for most clubs involved.

The Spaniards Athletic Bilbao sealed their progress to the knockout round last week with a 2-1 win over Fulham, however the sole action in the tournament this week is an all-English affair as Norwich City travel to Chelsea. The Blues got their Group A campaign off to a solid start against Borussia Monchengladbach last week, drawing 1-1 with the Germans, and will be aiming for a similar result as when these two sides met in the league in August (a 3-1 Chelsea win).

England Under-17 striker Dominic Solanke netted that afternoon but hasn’t netted an Under-21 goal since, although his exploits in the Under-19 UEFA Youth League have made up for any shortfalls elsewhere (he is the tournament’s top goalscorer after the group stage with 7). Norwich have conceded 17 goals in nine league games to date and will need to keep close tabs on Solanke, and his numerous other attacking colleagues, if they are to take anything with them back to Norfolk.

Under-21 Professional Development League 2

The quiet week elsewhere gives us an opportunity to touch base with the Under-21 second tier, in which Huddersfield and Swansea City lead the North and South divisions respectively. Tonight’s action is firmly of the mid-table variety, although Crystal Palace will be looking to move into fourth place with a victory at Millwall.

Similarly, Leeds United can go fourth in the northern league if they get a point or more in their home encounter with Sheffield United. On Tuesday, in the final action of the year, Barnsley host Crewe Alexandra with the aim of rising from the bottom of the North division.

You can check out more from all the Under-21, Under-18 and European competitions, including every goalscorer and comprehensive club statistics, on our Wiki site.

The week in detail:

• Monday – Charlton v Brighton & Hove Albion, Newcastle v West Ham, Bolton v Reading (Under-21 Premier League Cup), Leeds v Sheffield United, Colchester United v Ipswich Town, Millwall v Crystal Palace (Under-21 Professional Development League 2)
• Tuesday – Chelsea v Norwich City (Premier League International Cup), Barnsley v Crewe Alexandra (Under-21 Professional Development League 2)

Youth Cup Third Round: A Review

With the Third Round of the Youth Cup coming to a conclusion last night, we take a look back at all the action and a glance ahead to the fixtures to look forward to…

The big story at the end of the third round 2014-15 is the exit of two recent finalists; Norwich City and Fulham were victims of ‘cupsets’ at the hands of Doncaster Rovers and Crewe Alexandra respectively. Both clubs were relegated from the Premier League last term and there could be a strong case argued that this has impacted on the strength of their younger age groups as young players have been drafted into first team duties on a more permanent basis.

Nevertheless, that fact takes nothing away from the achievements of Doncaster and Crewe, who have now booked fourth round ties against Swansea and Portsmouth respectively.

Holders Chelsea, the other recent finalists in this competition, avoided a shock but had to battle hard as they won 2-0 at Elland Road. Leeds provided a stern test for the Blues, who were reduced to 10 men early in the second half, but goals from Izzy Brown and Dominic Solanke secured them a Round Four home tie against Huddersfield Town.

The biggest score of the round came at the Hawthorns as West Brom brushed aside the challenge of non-league Torquay United with an 8-1 victory, spearheaded by four goals from Samir Nabi on his 18th birthday. His older brother Adil, also at West Brom, is among the top Under-21 Premier League goalscorers and, keen not to be outdone by his sibling, Samir notched his quadruple in 40 minutes to send the Baggies on to a comprehensive win.

Among the strong contenders deemed capable of going all the way in the competition are Middlesbrough, who battled resolutely to secure a 4-3 win at Southend courtesy of two goals in stoppage time. They will now face a humdinger of a fourth round tie at home to north-east rivals Newcastle United, who brushed aside the challenge of Millwall in their third round clash to win 3-1 away. That is one of just two all-Premier League ties in the fourth round, along with Everton versus Southampton.

Manchester City are also highly-regarded and they avoided a potential banana skin against Oxford United, winning 2-0. The red side of Manchester also prospered against lower-league opponents, beating Bury 1-0 at Old Trafford. Meanwhile, Arsenal squeezed past Reading by a goal to nil but were reliant on a last-minute penalty miss from the Royals, who squandered a golden opportunity to take the tie into extra-time. The young Gunners will now be involved in one of the standout ties of Round Four as they host Southern League side Royston Town.

Returning to the individual stakes, there were Third Round hat-tricks for Hull City’s Will Annan, Tottenham’s Ismail Azzaoui and Doncaster Rovers’ Jack McKay they all progressed. Hull’s reward is a trip to Manchester United.

Fourth Round:

Middlesbrough v Newcastle, Chelsea v Huddersfield, West Brom v Nottingham Forest, Tottenham v Wolves, Burnley v Cardiff City, Crewe Alexandra v Portsmouth, Liverpool v Derby County, Leicester City v Chesterfield, Blackpool v Birmingham City, Manchester City v Coventry City, Sunderland v Ipswich Town, Everton v Southampton, Manchester United v Hull City, Arsenal v Royston Town, Swansea City v Doncaster Rovers, Mansfield Town v Stoke City

The week ahead: 15th-21st December 2014

A busy week looms as the youth programme prepares for a festive period pause in the calendar. Here, we look ahead to the next seven days.

FA Youth Cup

The remaining 19 Third Round ties are scheduled to be played this week, with the 2011 winners Manchester United beginning their campaign with a home game against Bury at Old Trafford on Tuesday. Liverpool host Bradford City this evening (Monday), while the 2013 champions Norwich City travel to Doncaster Rovers on Thursday. Two of last season’s semi-finalists bring the curtain down on Round 3 on Friday as Arsenal meet Reading, with the winners facing non-league opposition in the form of either Oxford City or Royston Town, who clash tonight.

The Fourth Round draw was made last week, pitting holders Chelsea against Huddersfield Town as well as throwing up a huge north-east derby between Middlesbrough and Newcastle United. Another all-Premier League encounter pits Everton against Southampton, two sides who have been tipped to do well in the competition this term.

The draw in full can be viewed on our Wiki.

Under-21s

A disrupted Under-21 league programme has another fortnight’s break on the horizon, however there are five games on the agenda before then, starting this evening as Southampton have a chance to go top of Division One for Christmas. They travel to 11th-placed Leicester City looking to maintain a four-match unbeaten run and in the knowledge that victory would take them two points clear of Chelsea and Tottenham at the league’s summit.

In Division Two, there is also a fight to be top ahead of the festive break. Arsenal host Bolton tonight knowing a win would give them that small honour, while Middlesbrough could join rivals Newcastle United on 22 points with a Monday night victory at 9th-placed Aston Villa.

In the cup competitions, Huddersfield Town host Everton in the penultimate Round of 32 Premier League Cup clash on Tuesday, with the winners set to host Brighton or Charlton in the last-16. Meanwhile, International Cup action continues this week as Chelsea start their campaign with a home game against the Germans Borussia Monchengladbach on Friday. After a 0-0 draw with Villarreal in their opener, Sunderland will be hoping for all three points when they host Celtic at the Stadium of Light on Thursday in Group D.

Under-19s

After the group phase came to a conclusion last week, the 16 qualified sides will be awaiting their fate in the knockout rounds as the draw takes place in Nyon this afternoon. The last-16 ties are one-legged affairs, with the group winners awarded home advantage and, like the senior UEFA competition, sides from the same country or same group cannot meet. All four English sides are in the hat, alongside holders Barcelona, fellow Spaniards Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid, Benfica, Anderlecht, Ajax, Shakhtar Donetsk, Olympiacos, Zenit Saint Petersburg, Roma, Schalke and Porto.

 

• The week in detail:
• Monday – Brighton v Derby, Liverpool v Bradford City, Chesterfield v Aston Villa, Oxford City v Royston Town (FA Youth Cup), Leicester v Southampton, Aston Villa v Middlesbrough, Arsenal v Bolton (Under-21 Premier League)
• Tuesday – Nottingham Forest v MK Dons, Rotherham v Wolves, Sunderland v Fleetwood Town, Birmingham v QPR, Manchester United v Bury, Swansea v Watford, Sheffield Wednesday v Stoke, West Brom v Torquay United, Charlton v Cardiff, Portsmouth v Bolton (FA Youth Cup), Huddersfield Town v Everton (Under-21 Premier League Cup)
• Wednesday – Leicester v Wigan (FA Youth Cup), Norwich v Liverpool, Blackburn v Derby (Under-21 Premier League)
• Thursday – Colchester v Ipswich, Doncaster Rovers v Norwich, Manchester City v Oxford United (FA Youth Cup), Sunderland v Celtic (Premier League International Cup)
• Friday – Arsenal v Reading (FA Youth Cup), Chelsea v Borussia Monchengladbach (Premier League International Cup)
• Saturday – (Under-18 Premier League programme, TBC)

The week ahead: 8th-14th December 2014

The YouthHawk blog has arrived and we bring the curtain up by introducing you to a weekly look at the seven days ahead in the youth calendar.

FA Youth Cup

After a teasing taste of the Third Round action last week, with two ties that saw holders Chelsea and Coventry City progress to the fourth round at the expense of Leeds United and AFC Bournemouth respectively, the FA Youth Cup gets into full swing over the coming seven days. Tottenham get the action underway this evening (Monday) as they host Blackburn Rovers at Dagenham & Redbridge FC in an all Category One academy encounter.

Spurs, currently sat in third place in the South section of the Under-18 Premier League just three points back on leaders Chelsea, juggled their league engagements to ensure a free weekend just gone and will be hoping that fresh legs and minds give them an advantage against the north section’s bottom side, who also had last weekend without league action.

It is the first of 11 Youth Cup ties scheduled this week although one of only two all-top tier clashes, the other being Southampton versus West Ham, with the Hammers looking to avenge last year’s shock Third Round exit at Accrington Stanley.

Among those looking to cause an upset will be Stevenage as they host Everton on Tuesday and Southend United, who face the Under-18 Premier League south section leaders Middlesbrough. The Teesiders are currently on a league run of six consecutive victories and will be looking to carry that impressive form into a competition they exited at this stage last campaign at the hands of Tottenham. Junior Mondal, the striker, has 11 goals to his name this term and will be of particular concern to the young Shrimpers rearguard.

Other Third Round ties this week include Huddersfield Town v Crystal Palace, Millwall v Newcastle United, Hull City v Brentford, Crewe Alexandra v Fulham, Mansfield Town v Tranmere Rovers, Kidderminster Harriers v Blackpool and AFC Wimbledon v Burnley.

Under-21s

Under-21 league action resumes this week after a 10-day break and it’s first versus third in Division One as Manchester United travel to rivals City on Saturday. Both sides are tied at the top of the league, along with Southampton, all on 14 points, although Patrick Vieira’s side have played a game more than the other two. United will be looking for a first victory in four matches and will be relying on their top scorers William Keane and James Wilson to fire them to a derby win.

Also on Saturday, Fulham host Tottenham at Motspur Park, while Chelsea will be aiming to make ground on one or both of the Manchester sides above them as they host Sunderland on Sunday lunchtime.

In Division Two, it’s the battle of the league’s bottom sides as Brighton go to Stoke, while Reading can move into the top five with a win over Wolves. Both those games are on Friday.

The Under-21 Premier League Cup Round of 32 reaches a conclusion of sorts this week with three of the five remaining ties scheduled. Sheffield United host Stoke and Leeds travel to Leicester early in the week, before Bolton entertain Wigan on Friday.

Finally at the Under-21 age group, there are two encounters in the Premier League International Cup this week. West Ham conclude their Group B campaign against Fulham knowing a point is the very minimum they need to stand a chance of qualification to the next round, while Sunderland play host to Spaniards Villarreal at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday evening.

Under-19s

It’s the final matchday in the UEFA Youth League group stage and there’s still plenty of business to sort out. Atletico Madrid, Olympiacos, Benfica, Roma, Chelsea, Schalke, Anderlecht, Manchester City, Ajax and Shakhtar Donetsk are all assured of their last-16 places, the last four as group winners and thus guaranteed a home tie when the competition resumes in its knockout form in the New Year. However, there are still six spots in the next round up for grabs.

Liverpool need a winning margin of at least two goals over Basel on Tuesday to ensure their qualification from Group B, while Arsenal are through unless Galatasaray can inflict a defeat on them of five goals or more. Chelsea are in a direct battle with Schalke for top spot in Group G and face Sporting Lisbon in the knowledge that matching the Germans’ result against Maribor will do the job, given the Blues’ superior head-to-head record.

In the individual stakes, English sides have two of the competitions’ three leading goalscorers to date; Arsenal’s Dan Crowley and Liverpool’s Jerome Sinclair join Marc Brasnic, of Bayer Leverkusen, on five goals scored from five group games played. With all three sides needing to deliver the goods this week, they will be hoping their star marksmen can shine once more.

 

• The week in detail:
• Monday – Tottenham v Blackburn Rovers (FA Youth Cup), Sheffield United v Stoke City (Under-21 Premier League Cup), West Ham v Fulham (Premier League International Cup)
• Tuesday – Hull City v Brentford, Southampton v West Ham, Stevenage v Everton (FA Youth Cup), Leicester City v Leeds United (Under-21 Premier League Cup), Liverpool v Basel, Galatasaray v Arsenal (UEFA Youth League)
• Wednesday – Crewe Alexandra v Fulham, Mansfield Town v Tranmere Rovers, Kidderminster Harriers v Blackpool, Huddersfield Town v Crystal Palace (FA Youth Cup), Roma v Manchester City, Chelsea v Sporting Lisbon (UEFA Youth League), Sunderland v Villarreal (Premier League International Cup)
• Thursday – AFC Wimbledon v Burnley (FA Youth Cup)
• Friday – Southend United v Middlesbrough (FA Youth Cup), Stoke City v Brighton, Reading v Wolves (Under-21 Premier League), Bolton Wanderers v Wigan
• Saturday – Millwall v Newcastle United (FA Youth Cup), Manchester City v Manchester United, Fulham v Tottenham (Under-21 Premier League)
• Sunday – Chelsea v Sunderland (Under-21 Premier League)

 

For more detail on the youth game at every level, visit our Wiki site at http://www.youthhawk.co.uk.