EFL Trophy

[northstandexile]

Only hope you have both got to get to Wembley is if Rotherham draw Wigan in the Semi Final

 

[Super_horns]

Only hope you have both got to get to Wembley is if Rotherham draw Wigan in the Semi Final

Tend to agree or they play weak teams to concentrate on their promotion push with lots of games to play .

 

[WilsdenBantam]

Don’t know the draw but good luck to Hartlepool and Sutton, as much as people deride this competition, myself included, it’s special to see your club at Wembley and potentially lift a trophy. Before the kid teams came into it I used to want us to do well why not. Nice little earner as well.

 

[Soup Ladle]

Would be our first trip to Wembley, the couple of times when we would have played there, Wembley wasn't available.

Proper cup team this one, 6 L1 and 1 Championship side beaten this year. I'll probably watch the semis even though I have to be at work for 4am and it'll finish around midnight my time. I just hope we don't get Sutton away, big bogey side.

Hopefully the swich we made tonight to a 433 sticks, I've long said we'd be better off using that shape. It brings the likes of Grey, Molyneux and Fela into the game more.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

Well I decided last minute to go last night & am glad i did,we were fantastic.
I hope Lee told them all after the game,they'd be playing Saturday,because none of them deserve to be dropped.
Fast attacking play,two absolute cracking goals,even Smith who has never impressed me was excellent.
Hendrie was again outstanding & should replace Liddle(but I know he won't)
Cracking atmosphere.
What a night.

 

[Chief Rocka]

The common theme from last night was how well they played, so what do you wanna bet we go back to 532 turgid shit against Exeter on Saturday.

I think Lee would get a lot more slack from people if his side were having a good go at matches like they did last night.

 

[Sestonpoolie]

He will & play safe for a draw, which is fair enough considering our dogshit away form.
But for the homes games,especially against teams like Stevenage,Oldham etc,he should go more attacking & get some wins on the board.

 

[MadJohn]

It's a weird one isn't it. I've always supported the Football League Trophy, and I don't remember ever missing a home game in the comp until youth teams were allowed to enter. I haven't been to a game since, the whole thing just leaves me cold. I was sat at home last night, a couple of miles from the ground, but I never even considered going

 

[Soup Ladle]

Luke Hendrie has been well under-used for me. Solid L2 defender. I will actually give Lee some credit for the defenders. Several seem to be pushing on under him, not least Odusina who has been outstanding lately.

Definitely should change it up but Lee, even if he hasn't brought any discernible style of play seems very safety first so he'll probs bring back Liddle and the 532 unfortunately.

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

Luke Hendrie has been well under-used for me. Solid L2 defender. I will actually give Lee some credit for the defenders. Several seem to be pushing on under him, not least Odusina who has been outstanding lately.

Definitely should change it up but Lee, even if he hasn't brought any discernible style of play seems very safety first so he'll probs bring back Liddle and the 532 unfortunately.

Timi was immense last night, ZFA was very good as well who in my opinion was one of our more consistent performers this season until Lee came in and he seemed to just drop out of the team.

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

It's a weird one isn't it. I've always supported the Football League Trophy, and I don't remember ever missing a home game in the comp until youth teams were allowed to enter. I haven't been to a game since, the whole thing just leaves me cold. I was sat at home last night, a couple of miles from the ground, but I never even considered going

Completely agree with the feeling about the trophy with the youth teams involved, out of curiosity if we did make it to Wembley would you go? That isn’t a dig I’m just curious either way.

 

[MadJohn]

Completely agree with the feeling about the trophy with the youth teams involved, out of curiosity if we did make it to Wembley would you go? That isn’t a dig I’m just curious either way.

I haven't given Wembley any thought to be honest. I think it's pretty unlikely that I'd want to go, I certainly wouldn't alter any existing plans.

 

[Agombar stool]

I haven't given Wembley any thought to be honest. I think it's pretty unlikely that I'd want to go, I certainly wouldn't alter any existing plans.

The Wembley experience is hugely underwhelming. I think you have the right idea.

 

[MadJohn]

The Wembley experience is hugely underwhelming. I think you have the right idea.

I think it would be a tougher dilemma if the old Wembley still stood. I don't have the same feelings about the current stadium.

 

[Optimistic Poolie]

I think it would be a tougher dilemma if the old Wembley still stood. I don't have the same feelings about the current stadium.

I think it’s more the fact that the twice previous we could’ve gone, it’s ended up at Millennium Stadium then Ashton Gate. Feel like we have missed out on something, but I suppose I was too young for the old Wembley for comparison.

 

[Robshep]

The Wembley experience is hugely underwhelming. I think you have the right idea.

Rip off. £7 for a burger as fat as a beermat.

 

[Agombar stool]

Rip off. £7 for a burger as fat as a beermat.

It's a number of factors really. As you say the food and drink is over priced, (But there are loads of stalls so easy to get it) It always seems like the atmosphere is flat in the place, for such an impressive looking place from the outside it's just been underwhelming. That said, the 2 times I went we lost and I saw us promoted to the Premier League at the old Wembley so perhaps I am biased. (I also saw a tedious England friendly against Belgium which I have just recalled)

Of course for those fans of teams who have never played at Wembley, it's the pinnacle of English football so it's completely understandable that fans dream of playing there. It's not all bad, the pre-match bars are great craic and I think there are more bars actually around Wembley so that should improve the pre-match experience no end.

 

[Chief Rocka]

I think this competition is dog water but if we get to Wembley you can bet your mother I'll be there

 

[Robshep]

It's a number of factors really. As you say the food and drink is over priced, (But there are loads of stalls so easy to get it) It always seems like the atmosphere is flat in the place, for such an impressive looking place from the outside it's just been underwhelming. That said, the 2 times I went we lost and I saw us promoted to the Premier League at the old Wembley so perhaps I am biased. (I also saw a tedious England friendly against Belgium which I have just recalled)

Of course for those fans of teams who have never played at Wembley, it's the pinnacle of English football so it's completely understandable that fans dream of playing there. It's not all bad, the pre-match bars are great craic and I think there are more bars actually around Wembley so that should improve the pre-match experience no end.

It is nowhere near the old place. The former Wembley was without doubt a total dump but the first time i walked up them stairs and saw the pitch and stands it was a real experience of history. The new one is just the fat brother of the Emirates Stadium.

 

[RiftHouseLad]

Can,t understand people slagging this comp off.
At the very least it gets your fringe players mins on the pitch, Bizarre.

 

[MadJohn]

Can,t understand people slagging this comp off.
At the very least it gets your fringe players mins on the pitch, Bizarre.

Which is why I always used to be a supporter of the competition and rarely, if ever, missed a home game before 2016.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Can,t understand people slagging this comp off.
At the very least it gets your fringe players mins on the pitch, Bizarre.

Its a back door to B Teams.
It was much better when it was only league one and two sides, or even when they allowed Conference sides into it

 

[Agombar stool]

Its a back door to B Teams.
It was much better when it was only league one and two sides, or even when they allowed Conference sides into it

Very much this. When B Teams from the Premier League were allowed in it made a mockery of the competition.

 

[RiftHouseLad]

Very much this. When B Teams from the Premier League were allowed in it made a mockery of the competition.

Certainly hasn,t made a mockery of our bank balance.
And players getting match minutes for when they are needed.

we,ve just left the real "mockery of a competion" so B teams, are shiny.

 

[denzel ecfc]

Certainly hasn,t made a mockery of our bank balance.
And players getting match minutes for when they are needed.

we,ve just left the real "mockery of a competion" so B teams, are shiny.

Selling your soul for 10 grand. Says it all.

 

[Chief Rocka]

Selling your soul for 10 grand. Says it all.

It’s more like £150,000 at this stage but I get your point.

 

[RiftHouseLad]

It’s more like £150,000 at this stage but I get your point.

And players getting match fitness, And as you say £150,000.
Semi final on Sky, How much is that worth.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Lets face it all English cups are seen as less important each year.
Even the FA Cup isnt the same, if you draw one of the big boys they are likely to still play fringe players/kids, not like the 80's and 90s

 

[Chris FGR]

Its a back door to B Teams.
It was much better when it was only league one and two sides, or even when they allowed Conference sides into it

Yep. Makes the whole thing a joke. Probably be b teams in the EFL Cup next.

 

[Gatekeeper]

The EFL Trophy has been great for Sutton. Our first win this season was against the Palace youngsters and our form since then has been remarkable. Also the £1500000 has been a godsend for the club.