Has there ever been a more pointless tournament? The attendances are shocking and the inclusion of premier league academy sides is perhaps one of the most pointless ideas going. Has the tournament got any future in this format?
After the first set of matches, I heard someone on Radio 5 talking up the value of the Checkatrade. They claimed that there would be a huge % increase in the number of people watching the first round games. Fortunately, the interviewer pointed out that each club was playing 3 games and more teams were taking part, so there would be about 4 times the number of games and that an increase was a certainty. His reply: "But, this is a significant increase that any competition in the world would welcome". Eh?
Maybe piggyback the FA cup in some way that those clubs that get knocked out in the round before the big clubs join in, go forward into this cup. Could offer a realistic chance for non league clubs to go on and win something/earn a decent amount and also for the rest to be quite close to a visit to Wembley.
Just listening to Talksport, with Durham lambasting the whole concept. Prem teams using the format to get injured Prem players some match time, how is this helping to develop emerging young British talent? Many lower league teams playing their reserves, because they seem to understand how pointless this format is. Won't last. What would the crowd be at Wembley for Middlesbro' U23's vs Stoke U23's be? Joke! Under the old format 40000 to 60000 people used to turn up to Wembley. A chance for Lower league teams to get to Wembley has been taken away. Poor decision by the chairmen.
In amongst all the nonsense on the trump thread, this is probably the lowest of the low in terms of what I have read on here today. If anything we should be pushing the EFL to de-regionalise it next year. @hoof_it_up_to_benty should be banned for this.
In our group the last 2 fixtures were played on different days. It's almost like they knew potential match fixing wouldn't be an issue as club's wouldn't give a shit about qualifying.
Swap the B teams for Conference teams and keep the format (i.e. Group Stages to begin with).
Rather than a bonus point for hanging on to a draw and so getting to pens, create bonus points for the most attacking teams... Bloody learn to create rules that encourage attacking football rather than defend / defend
In our group the last 2 fixtures were played on different days. It's almost like they knew potential match fixing wouldn't be an issue as club's wouldn't give a shit about qualifying.
Group stages are dull in the Champions League, so heaven knows why they think it's a good idea in the Football League Trophy.
Chuck out the U23 teams, invite some Conference teams to take their place, make it a single-match knock-out contest and regionalise the early rounds so you get some derbies. Even if it does mean Charlton being away at Bromley, Maidstone or Woking.
Comments
The changes that I would implement;
Kick out B teams.
Make it optional until the semi final as to where you play your home matches. I.e, Charlton playing home matches at Welling.
Allow teams to opt out in return for paying a fine.
Maybe piggyback the FA cup in some way that those clubs that get knocked out in the round before the big clubs join in, go forward into this cup. Could offer a realistic chance for non league clubs to go on and win something/earn a decent amount and also for the rest to be quite close to a visit to Wembley.
Rather than a bonus point for hanging on to a draw and so getting to pens, create bonus points for the most attacking teams... Bloody learn to create rules that encourage attacking football rather than defend / defend
Chuck out the U23 teams, invite some Conference teams to take their place, make it a single-match knock-out contest and regionalise the early rounds so you get some derbies. Even if it does mean Charlton being away at Bromley, Maidstone or Woking.
Several of the U21 teams have been drawn against each other! I wonder how many Swansea fans will travel to see their U21s play Norwich U21s...
The headline is almost beyond parody!