Checkatrade Trophy

[The Red Baron]

There will be sighs of relief at EFL Towers tonight. Only one U-21 side in the last eight - Swansea - who beat Wolves U-21.

An U-21 side reaching the final would have been a nightmare.

[RedJ]

Who's to say they won't make it there?

[hoolahoop]

The principal is the same - they simply don't belong in this competition.

[The Red Baron]

I hope it will be a one off experiment, but I fear not.

As for the chances of Swansea B getting to the final, I noticed that the League sides were fielding stronger sides last night. Coventry were practically at full strength and made mincemeat of Brighton B. Ditto Yeovil over Reading.

[Colemans Left Hook]

I hope it will be a one off experiment, but I fear not.

As for the chances of Swansea B getting to the final, I noticed that the League sides were fielding stronger sides last night. Coventry were practically at full strength and made mincemeat of Brighton B. Ditto Yeovil over Reading.

AS we all know Poor Brighton U 23's had to travel up to Newcastle for a midday start on Saturday and hadn't time to recuperate    some rumour about Newcastle and "Brown" doing the rounds ??


Newcastle U23 - Brighton & Hove Albion U23

http://www.sofascore.com/newcastle-u23-brighton-hove-albion-u23/lvrsaIrb

[Mike_F]

Coventry were practically at full strength and made mincemeat of Brighton B. Ditto Yeovil over Reading.

More proof (as if it was needed!) that the FL got this very wrong.

The official line on having B teams in there was so that young English players at the top clubs could get competitive first-team experience and aid their development. "Lesser" clubs were fined for not putting out strong enough sides but what good can it possibly do those aspiring young lads in the B teams to get hammered by full-strength experienced pros?

[IDM]

In other words Mike_F, it was b*llocks...

[Mike_F]

Correct.

If they want to tinker with it for the benefit of young players they should keep it to Leagues One and Two but take the opposite approach to their punitive measures of this season. Some of our youngsters have benefitted form playing in it this season so why not set a "minimum of six players aged 21 or under" rule for next season's competition?

[The Red Baron]

Apparently Luton might be facing another fine because they made seven changes from the weekend. Even though they won their tie 4-0...

[DonnyOsmond]

Apparently Luton might be facing another fine because they made seven changes from the weekend. Even though they won their tie 4-0...

Thought they're OK because they had some of their highest appearance makers playing.