EFL Trophy format has really annoyed the South Coast morons

[Thunder Bolt]

Stevenage and Southend away will be good tests for them and I'll probably go to either or both of them as easily drivable from London..

The lower league teams all have to put out a certain number of first-team squad players - except Portsmouth, of course, who are trying to crowd-fund the fine they say they will be hit with when they defy the regulations in protest.

Some of our youngsters played Southend last year in the League Cup. It won't be anything new to them.

 

[Springal]

Why do you think the FL cannot get a sponsor for the Trophy or the League cup?

Because they haven't ?

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

The way this competition is organised, the U23 Category 1 Academy clubs are effectively funding it, especially in the absence of a sponsor.

Apart from another chance to knock out a higher-ranking club - which lower league clubs relish in the League Cup - League 1 and 2 teams will get the chance to run the rule over academy players they might want on a half season loan later.

Phil Brown moved for Glen Rea after his performance in the League Cup at Southend last season.

The main benefit for Brighton is that our Under-23 players get real games against proper teams.

If the players go out on half season loans, they can't be available for the bench or first team as there isn't an emergency loan option this year.

Sir Alec Ferguson has stated that players need 30 proper games in a season to be able to make the transition from reserve to first team football and the first Group stage of the EFL Trophy will give them an extra three plus hopefully at least a couple of rounds in the League Cup as well.

The Premier League 2 format got changed from U21 to U23 this season as the transition from reserve to first team football in the Premiership was happening at the higher age.

A couple of things

It wouldn't be knocking out a higher club, it would be knocking out an academy side.

Also this shouldn't be about what benefits the higher clubs, it's a Lg 1 2 cup.

 

[mxs_harrow]

A couple of things

It wouldn't be knocking out a higher club, it would be knocking out an academy side.

Also this shouldn't be about what benefits the higher clubs, it's a Lg 1 2 cup.

There is going to be a lot more discussion and debate as this competition winds its way towards Wembley.

I suspect very few academy sides will progress too far through the competition which will draw a lot of sting out of the argument.

After all, if a team like Bradford can spring a suprise in the FA Cup against the full Chelsea team away, then the top L1 teams should overcome the academy teams.

A majority of League 1 and League 2 sides voted for this season's arrangements.

As regards the Championship academy team replacements, they were invited in order of league position ( and hence merit) so Reading and Derby were ahead of some of the Premiership academy teams in any case.

The team selections are hybrid for the L1/2 teams ( 7 first team squad) and Category 1 academy teams ( 3 over-age - so the likes of Holla, Ince, Manu get game time as well, for example).

With that balance, it is likely that academy teams will not progress too far in the competition, but at least would have made up the numbers amd provided funding for the competition.

I'm guilty of wanting Brighton to benefit as much as possible for the experience, which is why they accepted the invitation.

Also very proud that our academy are in a position to be invited because of the long term investment and vision of Tony Bloom which puts us ahead of Premiership teams like Bournemouth, Crystal Palace and Watford in that respect.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

It's now being sponsored by Checkatrade. The Checkatrade Trophy.

 

[Deleted member 2719]

It's now being sponsored by Checkatrade. The Checkatrade Trophy.

Yes, a great Sussex company too.

You guys only had to be patient a little bit longer.

So the FL came good.

Checkatrade, Checkatrade.com

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Yes, a great Sussex company too.

You guys only had to be patient a little bit longer.

So the FL came good.

Checkatrade, Checkatrade.com

They just need to find a sponsor for the League Cup, now.

 

[Deleted member 2719]

They just need to find a sponsor for the League Cup, now.

Not sure anyone will want that one as the premier league teams screwed that over by not taking it seriously.

 

[Durlston]

It's now being sponsored by Checkatrade. The Checkatrade Trophy.

Almost as good a sponsor as the Mr Clutch Cup, which was won by Mike Bassett.