EFL Trophy Draw

[Gone_Shrimping]

At 10 am today

[marky No.1]

Arsenal, Spurs, Utd., City not in it. Chelsea done a U turn and are in.

We will get Blackburn, Stoke or Wolves

[marky No.1]

CoXE8yZWAAAKor2.jpg (134.46 KiB) Viewed 1364 times

[Teams like Morecambe]

How many are considering boycotting the Stoke match? I know the club will lose a bit of money if we boycott but it would make a huge statement.

[P/T Indie]

Sorry I haven't been following EFL debate but surely this mean we have extra fixtures to play and fit in to an already busy schedule with a small squad. Have they cut down the amount of rounds further on in the competition to make up for it.

[Shrimpy]

How many are considering boycotting the Stoke match? I know the club will lose a bit of money if we boycott but it would make a huge statement.

I'll be boycotting all games in the EFL, not just the Stoke match, as should everyone else.

[Christies Child]

No way will I EVER boycott a home game just to make a statement.

If you are suggesting that we boycott our home games then that affects our finances which are already at an all time low and is bloody mindless and stupid. Call yourself a fan....

[marky No.1]

Sorry I haven't been following EFL debate but surely this mean we have extra fixtures to play and fit in to an already busy schedule with a small squad. Have they cut down the amount of rounds further on in the competition to make up for it.

How can they cut down on rounds, when the same L1 and 2 teams are in it plus another 16 from above?

1st round is 16 groups of 4, with 2 from each going into Rd 2 knockout.
I like the idea of a draw in the group stage going to penalties.
Strange thing is that holders Barnsley can't compete as they got promoted to the Championship

[morecambegeek]

No way will I EVER boycott a home game just to make a statement.

If you are suggesting that we boycott our home games then that affects our finances which are already at an all time low and is bloody mindless and stupid. Call yourself a fan....

Have you got a seat for your high horse this year as well?

People on here need to stop with the emotional blackmail. Once the club puts persistent performances that are worth turning up for, people will return. The club is not a charity, and the product it has offered over the last three years has been poor. People have voted with their feet.

Most people don't feel the connection with the club many on here do. Many have lost their connection since the move. Some posters need to see things from other people's points of view some time. Posts like the above will only serve to alienate more and more people, so congratulations.

[Shrimpy]

No way will I EVER boycott a home game just to make a statement.

If you are suggesting that we boycott our home games then that affects our finances which are already at an all time low and is bloody mindless and stupid. Call yourself a fan....

You need to think big picture.

If you turn up for these games you are telling the Football League that you are happy with having B teams playing in that competition. If enough people turn up and pay money to watch these games then they will consider it a success.

The next step will then be the inclusion of B teams in the Football League.

If this happens then you've got no one but yourself to blame. EFL Trophy games need to be played in front of the least amount of people as possible.

Attending these fixtures out of blind faith to the football club isn't the way to go about things. If you decide to turn up and pay money to watch then I'd say you wouldn't be able to call yourself a true football fan.

If you want to make a stand against B teams but don't want the club to be hit financially then go and spend whatever you would have spent attending the game on merchandise in the club shop or just donate it to the club which is what myself and many other football fans across the country are planning to do.

[John L]

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

Northern Group C

Match Day 1 – w/c 29th August 2016
Bradford City v Stoke City
Bury v Morecambe

Match Day 2 – w/c 3rd October 2016
Morecambe v Stoke City
Bradford City v Bury

Match Day 3 – w/c 7th November 2016
Morecambe v Bradford City
Stoke City v Bury

[Phil Anderer]

No way will I EVER boycott a home game just to make a statement.

If you are suggesting that we boycott our home games then that affects our finances which are already at an all time low and is bloody mindless and stupid. Call yourself a fan....

You need to think big picture.

If you turn up for these games you are telling the Football League that you are happy with having B teams playing in that competition. If enough people turn up and pay money to watch these games then they will consider it a success.

The next step will then be the inclusion of B teams in the Football League.

If this happens then you've got no one but yourself to blame. EFL Trophy games need to be played in front of the least amount of people as possible.

Attending these fixtures out of blind faith to the football club isn't the way to go about things. If you decide to turn up and pay money to watch then I'd say you wouldn't be able to call yourself a true football fan.

If you want to make a stand against B teams but don't want the club to be hit financially then go and spend whatever you would have spent attending the game on merchandise in the club shop or just donate it to the club which is what myself and many other football fans across the country are planning to do.

I agree. I think I'm right that the club voted against this, so they shouldn't be unhappy if we express a similar dissatisfaction with the idea. Playing to empty stands should send a clear message to the FL.

[Christies Child]

No way will I EVER boycott a home game just to make a statement.

If you are suggesting that we boycott our home games then that affects our finances which are already at an all time low and is bloody mindless and stupid. Call yourself a fan....

You need to think big picture.

If you turn up for these games you are telling the Football League that you are happy with having B teams playing in that competition. If enough people turn up and pay money to watch these games then they will consider it a success.

The next step will then be the inclusion of B teams in the Football League.

If this happens then you've got no one but yourself to blame. EFL Trophy games need to be played in front of the least amount of people as possible.

Attending these fixtures out of blind faith to the football club isn't the way to go about things. If you decide to turn up and pay money to watch then I'd say you wouldn't be able to call yourself a true football fan.

If you want to make a stand against B teams but don't want the club to be hit financially then go and spend whatever you would have spent attending the game on merchandise in the club shop or just donate it to the club which is what myself and many other football fans across the country are planning to do.

If you and others decide not to go BUT are prepared to donate the cost of admission in one way or another...fantastic. BUT do you really believe that a club with our gates will have any sway with the powers that be when it comes to deciding if the competition is regarded as a success or not? I genuinely doubt they would take any notice of whatever gate the game at The Globe is played in front of.

It's only the likes of Pompey and the bigger clubs in League1 who will have any influence on the future of the competition.

I'm not in favour of the format under any circumstances but I prefer to watch the game knowing that my money goes to my club whilst seeing how my club fares against Stoke and others albeit they are development squads.

[Christies Child]

No way will I EVER boycott a home game just to make a statement.

If you are suggesting that we boycott our home games then that affects our finances which are already at an all time low and is bloody mindless and stupid. Call yourself a fan....

Have you got a seat for your high horse this year as well?

People on here need to stop with the emotional blackmail. Once the club puts persistent performances that are worth turning up for, people will return. The club is not a charity, and the product it has offered over the last three years has been poor. People have voted with their feet.

Most people don't feel the connection with the club many on here do. Many have lost their connection since the move. Some posters need to see things from other people's points of view some time. Posts like the above will only serve to alienate more and more people, so congratulations.

I trust you include yourself in that statement.

[Shrimpy]

If you and others decide not to go BUT are prepared to donate the cost of admission in one way or another...fantastic. BUT do you really believe that a club with our gates will have any sway with the powers that be when it comes to deciding if the competition is regarded as a success or not? I genuinely doubt they would take any notice of whatever gate the game at The Globe is played in front of.

A wonderful attitude to have.

I take it you don't bother voting in any elections as your vote is meaningless and lost in a sea of the millions of other votes?

If gates are significantly down across all games then the Football League will certainly take notice.

[morecambegeek]

No way will I EVER boycott a home game just to make a statement.

If you are suggesting that we boycott our home games then that affects our finances which are already at an all time low and is bloody mindless and stupid. Call yourself a fan....

Have you got a seat for your high horse this year as well?

People on here need to stop with the emotional blackmail. Once the club puts persistent performances that are worth turning up for, people will return. The club is not a charity, and the product it has offered over the last three years has been poor. People have voted with their feet.

Most people don't feel the connection with the club many on here do. Many have lost their connection since the move. Some posters need to see things from other people's points of view some time. Posts like the above will only serve to alienate more and more people, so congratulations.

I trust you include yourself in that statement.

Yes. But as I don't go around telling people who have different views they're not proper fans, Id drop the sanctimonious attitude.

[sandgrown]

No way will I EVER boycott a home game just to make a statement.

If you are suggesting that we boycott our home games then that affects our finances which are already at an all time low and is bloody mindless and stupid. Call yourself a fan....

Have you got a seat for your high horse this year as well?

People on here need to stop with the emotional blackmail. Once the club puts persistent performances that are worth turning up for, people will return. The club is not a charity, and the product it has offered over the last three years has been poor. People have voted with their feet.

Most people don't feel the connection with the club many on here do. Many have lost their connection since the move. Some posters need to see things from other people's points of view some time. Posts like the above will only serve to alienate more and more people, so congratulations.

spot on !

[Zippy]

No Boycott from zippy, club needs money , players need support, club and players are blameless better a form of protest directed fully at the instigators of the format perhaps ?
Zippy

[Christies Child]

I'm more than willing to enter into a meaningful and non abusive conversation as to how the club can improve it's match day experience but as quite rightly stated until performances on the pitch improve people will stay away.

Efforts to improve the Globe Bar and the Club Shop are in the pipe line as are means to improve communication between the club and its fan base. However all the plans and ideas need Board approval but with the take over high on the Boards agenda the improvements to the match day experience may take a little longer than those of us on the Board / Fans discussion group would like.

However I'm personally confident that before the start of the season there will be good news on numerous fronts.

[Teams like Morecambe]

Cambridge and Peterborough have stated they would have voted against 'B' teams entering the competition had they known the larger clubs were opting out.

[outsider]

I'm more than willing to enter into a meaningful and non abusive conversation as to how the club can improve it's match day experience but as quite rightly stated until performances on the pitch improve people will stay away.

Efforts to improve the Globe Bar and the Club Shop are in the pipe line as are means to improve communication between the club and its fan base. However all the plans and ideas need Board approval but with the take over high on the Boards agenda the improvements to the match day experience may take a little longer than those of us on the Board / Fans discussion group would like.

However I'm personally confident that before the start of the season there will be good news on numerous fronts.

Working well that is.... ALL the football Shirts and pendants have gone from the bar and beer up by 20p a pint...... Great way to get fans back in and using it?

[Posh]

No way will I EVER boycott a home game just to make a statement.

If you are suggesting that we boycott our home games then that affects our finances which are already at an all time low and is bloody mindless and stupid. Call yourself a fan....

You need to think big picture.

If you turn up for these games you are telling the Football League that you are happy with having B teams playing in that competition. If enough people turn up and pay money to watch these games then they will consider it a success.

The next step will then be the inclusion of B teams in the Football League.

If this happens then you've got no one but yourself to blame. EFL Trophy games need to be played in front of the least amount of people as possible.

Attending these fixtures out of blind faith to the football club isn't the way to go about things. If you decide to turn up and pay money to watch then I'd say you wouldn't be able to call yourself a true football fan.

If you want to make a stand against B teams but don't want the club to be hit financially then go and spend whatever you would have spent attending the game on merchandise in the club shop or just donate it to the club which is what myself and many other football fans across the country are planning to do.

I'll be joining Shrimpy in the boycott. Plenty of clubs in League 2 and many Premiership teams voted out of this joke of a competition because of the damage it will cause. Yet we've got no choice but to be in it now whereas Man Utd, City, Liverpool, Arsenal etc. can just walk away.

A stance has to be taken by fans. If B teams ever entered the lower leagues it would be the end of lower league football, as it is in Spain, Germany and Italy. We could end up with Stoke Reserves v Swansea Reserves at Wembley with 1,500 people there instead of the 57,000 when Barnsley won in May.

This change completely devalues what has become a decent tournament, undermines lower league clubs, congests the calendar even more and makes the Football League look like even more of a utter shambles as it stumbles from one failure to the next.

[Seasider9601]

Agree entirely Posh.

Sad to say, but I too am out.

Stoke City Under 21 Development Squad?? Not today thanks.

[Christies Child]

Sounds like the match attendance will be......ONE....

[Westgate Wanderer]

Sounds like the match attendance will be......ONE....

2. Nice to see a home cup match as we don't get many. Two in the same competition is a wonder