Drying out? More likely he went there for the challenge/money/experience.

No most Muslim countries do not have alcohol everywhere but in select stores, outside of tourist places at least. Azerbaijan is very liberal when it comes to alcohol, there's barely any difference to Christian countries.

Shame about all the human rights and freedom of speech.

You can take the discussion about Azerbaijan into the appropriate sub-forum, if you wish to do so.

Let's keep this thread about everything related to the youth team. Thank you.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36725310

Our academy side, not sure on the age group but I assume U21, is going to compete in the Football League Trophy next season (Johnston's Paint Trophy as it's been known for a while), against League 1 and League 2 sides and 15 other tier 1 academy teams.

There's going to be an initial group stage consisting of 16 groups of 4 teams, each group containing an academy side, with the top two of each group going through to a 32 team knockout competition.

Not sure how well it'll work or how it'll affect what we choose to do with some of our promising young players this season, but could be a step toward academy sides being allowed to join the Football League. At the very least it'll make for some good experience for the kids away at proper grounds with passionate fans and with something important at stake. Think there's a TV deal in place (and prize money) too so we should be able to keep an eye on it.

Brilliant. I want youth teams to have more at stake.

Great news, been wanting something like this for ages.

Is there any valid reason that youth teams can't play in the the Championship or League 1 like they can in other leagues?

Any idea why we turned it down? The article didn't clarify.

MistaT wrote:

Is there any valid reason that youth teams can't play in the the Championship or League 1 like they can in other leagues?

like most things wrong with the world: tradition.

Apparently Thierry will leave the club and no longer be the assistant manager of the U18s. It's suggested that the position was initially offered on the basis that he quits his TV punditry, a condition which he's rejected. Reports suggest that Tony Adams will take over the role instead.

www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/thierry-henry-leaves-arsenal-club-legend-no-longer-part-of-arsene-wenger-s-staff-after-refusing-to-a3293646.html%3famp?client=safari#

Toral has gone on loan to Granada. He has only a year left IIRC, so this is probably the end of his Arsenal career given that we didn't extend his contract before sending him out on loan. Shame.

Toral doesn't have enough for Arsenal in my view, good player though he is.

14 days later

Guillain Barre Syndrome – a rare disease which causes the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system.

Fuck. That sounds very bad.

Although the article says it's a 'mild case'. Hopefully it means it can be treated/contained? Speedy where you at?

est wrote:

Guillain Barre Syndrome – a rare disease which causes the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system.

Fuck. That sounds very bad.

It is. John Guidetti contracted the exact same thing after eating an undercooked chicken. It kept him out from all competitive football for two years and almost turned him into a cripple. Initially the doctors told him that he would have to retire because he needed several hours of exercise in a machine each day just to get out of a chair on his own. Apparently GBS causes the muscles to wither. His right leg was literally down to half its normal size.

I think Guidetti had a particularly bad variance of the disease though. It doesn't sound like Ebecilio will be that bad off.

It's one of the worst diseases out their, reasonable chance of death, he'll probably look like a bad stroke victim for the next 2 years.

I've never heard of a mild case of this disease. I'd be shocked if he's not in hospital for the next 6 months at least.

It was a string of bad news reading that article.

Hope Kyle recovers well. Unfortunate when these things happen, and even more so to a kid.