Football League Trophy

[Mawsley]

Was going to link to the news that the "EFL" have announced Premier teams will be fielding their U21 sides...but the page appears to have been pulled.

Many people seem angry about it, personally I think it's a good move.

 

[M17TT C]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36503204

 

[pork pie fox]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36503204

There's quite a lot to digest, in there.

 

[Cate Fox]

There's quite a lot to digest, in there.

I cant be arsed to read it - precis?

 

[fox58]

Another trip to Wembley

 

[Mawsley]

I cant be arsed to read it - precis?

16 of the 21 category one academies will take part

 

[Cate Fox]

16 of the 21 category one academies will take part

Lovely - thanks.

 

[homer]

I cant be arsed to read it - precis?

The FA take a competition designed for the lower leagues to compete, make a bit of cash and have the opportunity to play at Wembley

And give it to the Premier League rich boys to piss around with and play their kids in, and thus put yet another nail in the coffin of real football

 

[pork pie fox]

I cant be arsed to read it - precis?

And they're looking at the Rooney Rule

And they're looking at increasing the number of football league teams/divisions.

Some fairly major changes.

 

[Cate Fox]

And they're looking at the Rooney Rule

And they're looking at increasing the number of football league teams/divisions.

Some fairly major changes.

Make up what you like, I still cant be arsed to read it

 

[pork pie fox]

Make up what you like, I still cant be arsed to read it

Tosser

 

[TornadoShaunUK]

I don't see the problem. Surely this is a valuable opportunity for younger players to gain experience against professionals rather than other academy teams? I'd expect this could have a good knock on effect as far as England are concerned as well...

Seems like a lot of the top clubs are rejecting the idea however.

 

[Cate Fox]

I don't see the problem. Surely this is a valuable opportunity for younger players to gain experience against professionals rather than other academy teams? I'd expect this could have a good knock on effect as far as England are concerned as well...

Seems like a lot of the top clubs are rejecting the idea however.

Of course they are.. and unfortuntely that's the whole problem.

 

[Motown Fox]

Looks like City weren't the only ones with a low crowd last night.
As Fox58 mentioned on the City thread a number of teams had their lowest attendance and must seal the death of this competition.
Checkatrade needs to checkout

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37916091

 

[bocadillo]

Looks like City weren't the only ones with a low crowd last night.

839, including 231 in the away end.

 

[FryattFox]

Looks like City weren't the only ones with a low crowd last night.
As Fox58 mentioned on the City thread a number of teams had their lowest attendance and must seal the death of this competition.
Checkatrade needs to checkout

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37916091

"And there were just 284 people watching West Brom's academy side play at home to Gillingham - a number, according to the Gills' Twitter account, that included scouts and press, as well as "approximately" nine away fans."

 

[Motown Fox]

Swansea City Under-21s face a 626-mile round trip to face Norwich City U21s in the last 32 of the Checkatrade Trophy.

They play one of three all under-21 ties along with Wolves v Sunderland and Southampton v Reading, with eight under-21 sides left in the competition.

Last year's runners-up Oxford travel to Southend, while two-time winners Carlisle host Mansfield Town.

Cambridge United have a 320-mile round trip to Bradford City in the Northern Section of the competition.

Full last 32 draw
Northern Section Draw A

Wolverhampton Wanderers U21 v Sunderland U21

Bradford v Cambridge

Cheltenham v Leicester City U21

Carlisle v Mansfield

Northern Section Draw B

Rochdale v Chesterfield

Scunthorpe v Morecambe

Walsall v Oldham

Doncaster v Blackpool

Southern Section Draw A

Yeovil v MK Dons

AFC Wimbledon v Brighton U21

Coventry v Crawley

Swindon v Luton

Southern Section Draw B

Southampton U21 v Reading U21

Norwich U21 v Swansea U21

Southend v Oxford

Millwall v Wycombe

 

[fox58]

How did Cheltenham get in the northern section? And Cov in the southern