If you read correctly, it's the Under 19's who are struggling with injuries, not the 1st Team.

But why do we need any under 19s if we have a 20-something man first team squad?

Well its called development isn't it?

Whats up with Riley??

This is my concern too.
We have a 25 man squad who are all pretty much strangers in terms of "game time" and there's no way any amount of practice pitch drills that can prepare the team for actual competitive games....I would have hope that we would have played all 3 friendlies as full squad matches, with all 25 getting game time and the final one pretty much our first 17!
Also, the Trip to the south of France? Is it a bit of a luxury we could do without, in that preparing for a cold February in South Yorkshire isn't going to be helped by playing in temps some 8 degrees higher.

Maybe some team bonding, weekend away together??

Possibly, but given the guys have been together (mainly) since November, they should be as thick as thieves now anyway.

Catalan friendly, kick off now 5pm

Well we are playing in the delights of North London and then the edges of Clekhudersfax so am sure the boys will appreciate a couple of days in the sun down in Catalonia.

I don't think any reasonable Soul would begrudge them some R&R and French hospitality.

Can be freezing down there in Jan

But also will be warmer than London 95% of the time!