Albion’s PL2 team begin their 2024/25 campaign with a trip to Norwich City on Friday night (ko 7pm).
Richard Beale’s side rounded off their pre-season schedule against fellow Premier League 2 counterparts Leicester City last week, while several of the club’s young pros have experienced the rigours of Carlos Corberán’s first-team sessions this time around.
A strong presence of academy hopefuls produced a spirited display during Albion’s narrow friendly defeat to Sky Bet League One side Cambridge United a fortnight ago, and if those standards are replicated on Friday, Beale’s men will be confident of a positive start.
Last season
The young Baggies ended their first season in the newly-reformed PL2 division in 21st place.
Format
A total of 26 Category One academy sides all competed in the same league last time around, with added incentives for success incorporated into the format.
At the end of the campaign, the top 16 teams will continue to qualify for a single play-off elimination game - facing opponents at opposite ends of the standings (1st v 16th, 2nd v 15th, etc).
And those clubs who obtain the top 12 spots in the Premier League 2 table will be invited to compete in the following term’s Premier League International Cup competition.
Venue
The Baggies’ U21s take on the Canaries at their Lotus Training Centre.
Pre-match thoughts
Ahead of their opening game in East Anglia, Professional Development Phase Manager Richard Beale was keen to stress what he demands from his squad this year.
He said: “We’ve had a really good pre-season, the boys have worked really hard, we had a fantastic trip to Slovenia, and a number of lads have been in and around the first team.
"The game against Cambridge gave a lot of our lads a taste of football against a league team, and they did themselves no harm with the levels they showed.
“We played Leicester in our last friendly - now we start in the league on Friday and I’m excited by it.
“I’m like a broken record, but it’s about replicating high standards and keeping stamina in your motivation. That’s the message we’re giving the lads - keep your good habits, keep doing the right things, and eventually good things will happen as we’ve seen enough times.”
How to follow
Supporters can keep up-to-date with Friday’s PL2 match across the club’s social media channels, with half-time, full-time, and goal updates as they go in.
