Match Thread Bradford City v Everton U21 EFL (Vertu) Trophy Tuesday 14 October 2025 7.30pm

Financially they make the competition viable for clubs with the money they put into the competition. For the u21 teams it's about development and learning rather than winning at all costs which is what all youth football is about. No club will thank an u18 manager for winning the FA Youth Cup if they don't produce players for the 1st team. The likes of McNeil play for minutes as they've not had many for the first team. Our record against u21s isn't amazing

• 24/25: 2-2 vs Newcastle and lost on penalties. Beat Villa 3-1 in the knock outs
• 23/24: 3-0 win vs Man City and 4-0 vs Liverpool in the knock outs
• 22/23: 2-2 vs Leicester and lost on penalties
• 21/22 lost 3-0 to Man Utd
• 20/21 drew 1-1 with Wolves and lost on penalties
• 19/20 lost 2-1 to Man City
• 18/19 1-1 draw with Everton and won on penalties
• 17/18 beat man City 2-1
• 16/17 beat Stoke 1-0

 

Is this legit/confirmed?

 

I would question this rumour. GA stated that he was sore after a match behind closed doors, so they are not taking any risks with him. He should be training today.

 

Thanks for this. I think this really is a showing of how we seriously we take the competition. In the last few years when we have taken it seriously and progressed to the semi finals we have blow the U21s away. When we can't be bothered with the competition the U21s have half a chance.

It kind of shows that when a seasoned team is put out the U21s just can't compete, yet they have a chance when a manager just can't be bothered with the competition. That was a strong side Bradford put out last night and 4-0 could have easily been 7 or 8 before half time. If we used that game to bring Cook to fitness which GA didn't feel like it was worth the risk, he'd have been taking 2 match balls home last night.

 

What I really like about our play is, first team or back up, is how quickly we move the ball forward, skilfully and entertaining plus lots of effort, everything you want from the team you support.

I still don’t know how T Wright gets played

 

He had an absolute stormer against Blackpool. Arguably should have got the MoM award.

 

The fourth goal case in point . I timed the kick out from Hilton to space to the ball hitting the onion bag to be 10.5 seconds . Sublime well planned goal .

 

I'm doubting starting Joe Wright because he still doesn't look like the player at the start of the season. I think my 3 (when fit) would be Pennington, Baldwin and McIntyre, with Wright on the bench. On Saturday I'd go for McIntyre with Touray left and Pennington right.

 

What's Tilt done to not be in that 3?

 

Forgot about Tilt to be honest, but I think McIntyre looks more comfortable on the ball. Tight call though.

 

I think T.Wright gets into some great positions, but his decision-making is frustrating. Overall, he is quite reliable, versatile and does work hard, so I can see why GA kept him around

 

We certainly could have done with him when the big fella came on at Rovrum.

 

We both said the same last night.
It’s not his ability that’s being questioned.
It’s just his decision making and ability to forward think.
He’s has pace (which is always a massive factor)
and he’s at his best when taking on defenders and surging towards the box.
The frustration comes when his first thought is to stop or play the simple pass backwards to Touray or Pointon.
Whilst this obviously retains the ball it also loses momentum and means the opposition recover position.

I know it’s league 1 and I get the “if he could do it every match he would be playing higher” argument.
He definitely has a big part to play this season and GA definitely likes him.
I just think if he was a bit more positive he could improve his own game and ultimately become a better footballer.

Which would also improve us as a team.

 

T. Wright is such a frustrating player. Richards was obviously not match fit and a bit off the pace, but still tried to take his man on at every opportunity. Wright should be capable of so much more just seems so lacking in confidence.

 

I just think this is something that PL academies ingrain in their youngsters at an early age - don't take a risk, recycle possession (garbage overused phrase), keep the ball etc etc

It's so hard to get that out of them. I think at times he just stops thinking and turns around and passes backwards. I also wish he wouldn't though! Neufville is exactly the opposite - one man, two men, he'll still have a go!

It was actually quite good to see a couple of the Everton youngsters giving it a go, aside from the stupid stepovers, but much better than the "pass to death" of others.

 

I'd like to see the Touray LCB, Richards LWB combo at some point if Richards can get himself fit. That could be a great combination with their abilities and experience of those positions.

 

He reminds me a lot of Gillead in the sense that he gets in some great positions but often is reluctant to either take the shot or forward looking option and as a result he doesn't really affect the game as much as he probably should for a player with a decent amount of ability.

He constantly looks like he just needs a confidence boost and to believe in himself more but as we saw with Gillead, it just didn't arrive because actually, he just didn't have it in him to be that player.

 

Compare him to Neuville who has 3 goals and plenty of assists. Chalk and cheese, night and day. Wright shouldn't be on the same pitch.