EFL Trophy @EFLTrophy 2h2 hours ago In answer to some queries, regional split for groups done on a divisional basis, so eg @CTFCofficial in the 12 most northerly #League2 clubs
Hate to say it makes sense...
As the games aren't being played on a divisional basis, it actually makes no sense at all. Hence the numerous 200 mile round trip fixtures that no one is going to make.
EFL Trophy @EFLTrophy 2h2 hours ago In answer to some queries, regional split for groups done on a divisional basis, so eg @CTFCofficial in the 12 most northerly #League2 clubs
Hate to say it makes sense...
As the games aren't being played on a divisional basis, it actually makes no sense at all. Hence the numerous 200 mile round trip fixtures that no one is going to make.
Well it does... Because each Group has to have at least one team from each Division.
So if 23-teams (of the 64) of those teams in the North of England are all from League One, there would be a high chance of one Group being made up of League One teams.
If one team is from the South (We'll say Charlton) and there are 23-teams from League Two (out of the 64) who are most southerly you could have Charlton in a Group with three teams from League Two
How is that fair?
Agreed the whole idea of including U21 teams makes the competition sound terrible but Geographically it makes sense how they've done it... This time round Cambridge and Cheltenham are just plain unlucky that based on the Division they're in they're border line North / South
To be fair there are some good Derbies in there...
Millwall v Gillingham Southend v Leyton Orient Norwich v Peterborough Swindon v Oxford Swansea v Newport Bristol Rovers v Yeovil Middlesbrough v Scunthorpe Sunderland v Hartlepool Derby v Port Vale
etc.
If Crystal Palace consider Brighton a derby - a team that are further away from them than Stevenage then why not.
Millwall away cup midweek to Luton will bring back some memories
Luton away can be a pain in the arse for us. Little groups of hoodies roaming around looking for stray Millwall fans so they can take 'revenge' for a game that took place before they was even thought of!
Always good to be able to see it from someone else's perspective, even if it is just once in a while.
Once in a while? We get it more than you'd think. Games v Millwall usually draw out all the local meatheads and nutters who don't usually bother much these days or don't go to football at all, but are attracted because of our reputation. Some places you wouldn't imagine. Northampton was bad one year, they waited until the main lot had got the train back to London then attacked a small group who were drinking in the town. Similar happened at Shrewsbury.
U-23 competition. No need to go to these games, unless you go to Charlton XI fixtures in pre-season. If this was cricket, these matches would not be classed as first class fixtures.
Probably one of the best U21 sides we could have faced though...
How many of the Southampton Squad are getting into their First-Team at the moment, for a Premier League side its a damned good ratio
Charlton should play the Under 21s for this tournament. It would make a good addition to the Kent cup.
We're not allowed to as far as I know. The rules state you have to pick 5 players who played in the previous league game.
Think we'd have been better off withdrawing from this.
If this is the case it still means we can field 6 reserves as we have done in the past.
That was when we had 6 reserves available to pick
The other side of the coin means it puts pressure on 5 players to play twice a week, would we really want Solly playing twice a week in this mickey mouse cup with his injury record?
You need strength in depth which we don't have or it means burdening first team regulars which could potentially affect our league form. Either way it boils down to the issue of a lack of depth in the squad.
Struggling to think of a more pointless competition, it's become a farce. I'm actually hoping that a premier league team wins it because then they might decide to scrap the idea completely.
Struggling to think of a more pointless competition, it's become a farce. I'm actually hoping that a premier league team wins it because then they might decide to scrap the idea completely.
They have pretty much admitted that if two Academies reach the Final then it'll be re-thought for next season.
Basically if thats their thinking why are they in it in the first place?
At the time same time would be good to see the Academies fail dismally as would then show youngsters that maybe joining Chelsea etc. isnt the best idea for their careers
A Portsmouth supporters group says they plan to walk out of EFL Trophy matches shortly after kick-off in protest at the competition's new format.
Sixteen Category One Academies, including many from Premier League clubs, have been included this season.
Portsmouth's board voted against the EFL's proposal in the summer.
"Once the games kick off, we'll all walk out to show our contempt for this decision," Bob Beech from group SOS Pompey told BBC Radio Solent.
"We thought if fans boycotted the games completely, the club would suffer financially through no fault of their own.
"We voted through unanimously at our own meeting to walk out shortly after kick-off."
Traditionally a competition for just League One and League Two clubs and previously known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, the tournament has been expanded to 64 teams.
Portsmouth have been drawn in a group alongside Reading under-21s, Bristol Rovers and Yeovil.
SOS Pompey's opposition to the EFL Trophy has been echoed by other clubs since the new format was confirmed.
Cambridge United chief executive Jez George said the changes may not have gone ahead had EFL clubs known some Premier League sides would reject the invitation to play.
Six clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, declined the chance to enter under-21 sides.
Cambridge United chief executive Jez George said the changes may not have gone ahead had EFL clubs known some Premier League sides would reject the invitation to play.
Comments
to the Kent cup.
Think we'd have been better off withdrawing from this.
Hence the numerous 200 mile round trip fixtures that no one is going to make.
So if 23-teams (of the 64) of those teams in the North of England are all from League One, there would be a high chance of one Group being made up of League One teams.
If one team is from the South (We'll say Charlton) and there are 23-teams from League Two (out of the 64) who are most southerly you could have Charlton in a Group with three teams from League Two
How is that fair?
Agreed the whole idea of including U21 teams makes the competition sound terrible but Geographically it makes sense how they've done it... This time round Cambridge and Cheltenham are just plain unlucky that based on the Division they're in they're border line North / South
@MillwallFan Sorry mate, wasn't referring to your post. Was just talking about the competition generally. :-)
The other side of the coin means it puts pressure on 5 players to play twice a week, would we really want Solly playing twice a week in this mickey mouse cup with his injury record?
You need strength in depth which we don't have or it means burdening first team regulars which could potentially affect our league form. Either way it boils down to the issue of a lack of depth in the squad.
I'm actually hoping that a premier league team wins it because then they might decide to scrap the idea completely.
Basically if thats their thinking why are they in it in the first place?
Hmm. Should I go to Southampton kids at home....no
How about the glamour tie v Colchester away....errrrr, no.
What cup is this? Forgotten before it starts, what is the point of it.
Sixteen Category One Academies, including many from Premier League clubs, have been included this season.
Portsmouth's board voted against the EFL's proposal in the summer.
"Once the games kick off, we'll all walk out to show our contempt for this decision," Bob Beech from group SOS Pompey told BBC Radio Solent.
"We thought if fans boycotted the games completely, the club would suffer financially through no fault of their own.
"We voted through unanimously at our own meeting to walk out shortly after kick-off."
Traditionally a competition for just League One and League Two clubs and previously known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, the tournament has been expanded to 64 teams.
Portsmouth have been drawn in a group alongside Reading under-21s, Bristol Rovers and Yeovil.
SOS Pompey's opposition to the EFL Trophy has been echoed by other clubs since the new format was confirmed.
Cambridge United chief executive Jez George said the changes may not have gone ahead had EFL clubs known some Premier League sides would reject the invitation to play.
Six clubs, including Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, declined the chance to enter under-21 sides.