EFL Trophy ( formerly Johnston Paint)

[Tyga16]

Hi too all!!

Is Anyone aware why we was one of the 4 teams from the Prem to opt out of entering our Youth into this?

Seem's like a strange one to me, surely it would of been wise for are younger players to get 6-7 games against League 1 League 2 sides and get some valuable experiences of first team football.

Plus it would of been an extra handful of games through the week to watch City play without the risk of any first teamers burning out.

A good run in that competition and some great performances could of put some of the youngsters in great stead for the future and possibly put them on the brink of a few first team place.

Thoughts?

 

[the_invisible_man]

I read it was something to do with the fixtures being in international weeks so a lot of our youth wouldn't be available to play

 

[bulldogblue]

Apparently it's due to existing fixture lists,etc. They consider this competition would stretch us one sinew too far.

 

[Tyga16]

oh i see.. well sort of haha... so what there saying is its more important to not miss the odd U17, 18 in some circumstances the odd under 21 game then to play half a dozen competive first team games ?

Im a bit greedy and would just love them extra games watching are youngsters banging in a few goals.

 

[Deleted member 58678]

I hate the Americanised (or should that be Americanized?) rebranding of the long staidng name of The Football League, to the EFL.

Other than that I think we have enough games as it is at that level.

 

[TBooksbluearmy]

If I am right the fixtures are the same week as the junior version of the Champions League and that is why we're not entering a team this year. Maybe next year if they will alter the dates of the games to be played

 

[cptaidan88]

At the point when we turned down the invitation the EFL were only offering dates that clashed with International fixtures (and International U21s, U19s etc), and were insistent that we had to play in our main stadium. I've heard rumours that Chelsea have been allowed to rearrange the fixtures and I don't think West Ham have to play at the Olympic Park either. Whether these changes would have made a difference to our decision remains to be seen.

 

[Gareth Barry Conlon]

I also think it would be good, early days so lets see how it works out for the big clubs that are in it. I suspect that the interest level will be pretty high with some decent fan turn out and on that basis it will be good for all involved. If that is the case we should do it next year – ideal for our mini stadium!

 

[Tyga16]

I also think it would be good, early days so lets see how it works out for the big clubs that are in it. I suspect that the interest level will be pretty high with some decent fan turn out and on that basis it will be good for all involved. If that is the case we should do it next year – ideal for our mini stadium!

Yeah i suppose it is good to take a back seat view and see how it unravels this year .. Would be a cracking little tournement to be in to use the academy ground and get it hammered!!

 

[Bluemoon dan]

On one hand I can see the positives of this but on the other they do seem to have unnecessarily messed around with things. In the previous years the early rounds were split on regions so my 2nd team, Rochdale, would get someone like Bury or Oldham. In this group thing they have been lumped in with Sunderland, Hartlepool and Notts County!