The EFL Trophy Thread

[dedwardp]

I am starting to wonder if this was a brilliant fl scheme to murder b teams off for good. Set the rules so it doesn't at all suit what the big clubs want....but 'invite them anyway.........they all decline and from now on we can say they knocked it back

I admire how wishful your thinking is on that one, Dave!

 

[Kenneth E End]

If it drops to Category Two can we enter it twice? Colchester United v Colchester United U21s would be a classic.

I think we're also planning to go to Cat 2 this season or next. This is a total, unmitigated cock up.

It needs to go back to the original format.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

I admire how wishful your thinking is on that one, Dave!

I have asked Curzon Ashton to put in an application.............going to be some spare places and they could do with a group along with Bury, rochdale and Oldham.

 

[BeesKnees]

If it drops to Category Two can we enter it twice? Colchester United v Colchester United U21s would be a classic.

I think we come first in the alphabet so you'll have to wait your turn

 

[dedwardp]

I think we come first in the alphabet so you'll have to wait your turn

You can play our U21s and we'll play yours!

 

[BeesKnees]

You can play our U21s and we'll play yours!

The crowd will be HUGE

 

[rudebwoyben]

The crowd will be HUGE

Definitely one where just the East Stand will be open for spectators!

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

The idea now is over before it begins. Apart from Everton the have lost all of the b teams which would bring in any armchair fans, the rest simply don't have that pull.

Add in boycotts and this is now turning into a major money loser for all clubs as it wont now get new fans in and a portion of the die hards have stopped.

Plus the imbalance now of the sweet sixteen is going to be ridiculous. You have lost nearly all of the north b teams.......are ww going to have a group with Carlisle, Fleetwood, port vale and derby or Leicester or even Ipswich etc etc.....a real good one for Tuesday.

Time to end this competition with some pride. Scrap it, have one last ever game between Bristol City as the best ever Southern side and Carlisle as the best ever Northern side and winner keeps trophy for good.

 

[JJ1532]

Sections released. So stupid. Draw coming up shortly.

 

[cufc17]

Cheltenham are in our northern section

 

[BeesKnees]

Sections released. So stupid. Draw coming up shortly.

Bizarre choices Newport, Exeter, Plymouth and Yeovil are in the pot with Chelsea and West Ham, while the lge 2 London clubs get Southampton and West Brom

Cambridge are in with Grimsby, Hartlepool Middlesbrough and Sunderland :$

 

[cufc17]

Blackburn's academy in our group, along with Fleetwood and Oldham. You have to give them credit, this is so much more exciting than usual..

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

The against league 3 coverage is the best bit of the farce.

A hidden draw to whisper the teams

Please have pompy play Chelsea and pompy treat it with their usual jpt respect (in easier words 11reserves and pay 5 grand)

 

[George Reilly's Hairpiece]

I want to congratulate Brighton on their promotion to the Premier League last season and well done Norwich in defying the odds and staying up. I can't remember that happening, but if must have, as we are introducing 16 Premier League academies into this Mickey Mouse competition.

 

[BeesKnees]

Shrewsbury, Middlesbrough and Cambridge in the same group. WTF!!!

 

[George Reilly's Hairpiece]

In our group is MK Dons, Peterborough and Norwich. Looking at that group, I think there is a very good chance that we might be the B team.

 

[Tom_CUFC]

I didn't think it were possible that I could want to boycott this competition any more than I already did, but this group has done it, fantastic.

I'm just delighted we didn't end up playing Peterborough, Norwich, Chelsea or West Ham, because we'd have sadly had some decent turnouts for those. No fucker will turn up for our games and that's just how it should be.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

That is my view also, got a group which is easy to boycott.

Mind way Blackburn are going it will be their u12 side.

Up to Exeter, oxford and Swindon to be as uninterested as poss

 

[BeesKnees]

In our group is MK Dons, Peterborough and Norwich. Looking at that group, I think there is a very good chance that we might be the B team.

Not sure I could feel less inspired by that line up.

 

[BigDaveCUFC]

From all accounts West Ham wont play at Olympic Stadium and Chelsea get dates more suited to them.

But we don't know because this brilliant draw day hasn't given us things like dates or venues.

 

[mowgli]

West Ham,Coventry and Northampton means we will be out early so i'm happy with that.

 

[dedwardp]

West Ham,Coventry and Northampton means we will be out early so i'm happy with that.

West Ham's U21s lost to Chelmsford the other week so you might not.

 

[BeesKnees]

fixture dates
http://www.efl.com//news/article/2016/efl-trophy-group-stage-fixtures-3209807.aspx

 

[hellogregory]

Cambridge's regional group

Sums up the farce of the whole thing. Imagine Cambridge going all the way to boro on a Tuesday night to play their B team. How fucking romantic!

I'm glad most of the "big boys" have declined. Makes it that bit easier to boycott as our lack of attendance won't be replaced with as many premier league fan boys.

 

[Laker]

Pretty much as Tom says, I'm delighted with our group. We've landed two home ties which is s bit of a bummer but the fact they're Shrewsbury and Middlesbrough B ensures they'll be suitably poorly attended. Scunthorpe away is magical too, it's a great draw.

Hoping for a 500- attendance for our two home games. Thank god we didn't get Chelsea, West Ham or Norwich. :-D

 

[Judge Dredd]

Luton vs Millwall might attract a decent turnout unfortunately (although the policing costs should ensure no money is made!). The other two should be easy to arrange a boycott for though (Gillingham and West Brom u21s).

 

[Hermann]

I believe that previously clubs in this competition were fined if their line-up did not include at least six players from their previous league fixture (or something along those lines). Does this still apply?

In a competition which is now being marketed as a way to better develop youth players in this country, it would be rather ironic if a League One or League Two team was penalised for choosing to give minutes to their own reserve/youth players.

 

[E10rifle]

Two traditional rivals in Brighton and the Mudmen. Shame, because a few will be pleased with a trip to the Amex as a new ground, and the idiot section at each club will invariably turn out for the A127 derby.

Still, at least we've got Stevenage to aim for a sub-1,000 gate with.

#boycott

 

[GTFCfish]

Unfortunately for the boycott we've been drawn with Sheffield Utd which means if its at Bramall Lane we'll take loads there, and if its here they'll fill our away end like they did on Saturday.
Although there's a good chance it will kick off again so that might put people off attending the other group games so swings and roundabouts eh!

 

[BeesKnees]

Unfortunately for the boycott we've been drawn with Sheffield Utd which means if its at Bramall Lane we'll take loads there, and if its here they'll fill our away end like they did on Saturday.
Although there's a good chance it will kick off again so that might put people off attending the other group games so swings and roundabouts eh!

You are home against Sheffield and Leicester
Walsall v Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town v Leicester City
Grimsby Town v Sheffield United