Vertu Trophy Qualifiers

[POD]

With Rovers safely through to the next round as group winners, I have just looked at the 16 league tables.

Only one of the sixteen Premier League U21 teams (West Ham) have qualified for the next phase, which either means they have not taken it seriously or the young teams are no match, even for under strength L1 & L2 teams.  Most of them finished bottom of their respective groups.   

I think that it might be time to end Premier League participation in our competition.   

[sedwardsdrfc]

All the best players from those teams are probably out on loan at league clubs.

Really don’t get the reason for the U21s been included it doesn’t help develop players against senior teams the good ones always got that!

[les@donr]

Bring in National League teams instead, they would take the competition seriously.

[Padge_DRFC]

I'm told the money involved is practically from allowing the prem teams in it.

[Padge_DRFC]

Also last night secured a home tie next round

[3b4eight]

When is the draw?

[Reg of the Rovers]

When is the draw?

It's tomorrow 3B48 (are you a Star Wars droid by any chance?):

The Vertu Round of 32 draw will take place live on Sky Sports News on Thursday, 13 November at 2.30pm. Sky Sports' Will Perry will host the draw alongside former Ipswich Town captain, Luke Chambers and former Jamaican international, Jobi McAnuff.

[Usher wide.]

When is the draw?

It's tomorrow 3B48 (are you a Star Wars droid by any chance?):

The Vertu Round of 32 draw will take place live on Sky Sports News on Thursday, 13 November at 2.30pm. Sky Sports' Will Perry will host the draw alongside former Ipswich Town captain, Luke Chambers and former Jamaican international, Jobi McAnuff.

They’re bringing out the ‘big guns’ then for the draw!

[donnyguy]

Ricky Charlesworth on x says
Rovers will be at home to either Chesterfield Huddersfield Rotherham or Fleetwood

[Reg of the Rovers]

Ricky Charlesworth on x says
Rovers will be at home to either Chesterfield Huddersfield Rotherham or Fleetwood

Two bogey teams, and two tough local rivals - not the kindest draw. But down at our place, and hopefully get a few more through the gate to watch - should be a decent game, and play anything like the second half we've a good chance. Play anything like the first half and we're in trouble!!!

[3b4eight]

Jamaican international? At what, bob-sleigh

[drfchound]

I'm told the money involved is practically from allowing the prem teams in it.

The PL teams put in a significant amount of dosh.
It has been discussed on here a few times.

[DearneValleyRover]

I'm told the money involved is practically from allowing the prem teams in it.

The PL teams put in a significant amount of dosh.
It has been discussed on here a few times.

Hound, its money we should be getting without being held to ransom

[drfchound]

I'm told the money involved is practically from allowing the prem teams in it.

The PL teams put in a significant amount of dosh.
It has been discussed on here a few times.

Hound, its money we should be getting without being held to ransom

I totally agree, but I was simply stating a fact to Padge.

[adamtherover]

Ricky Charlesworth on x says
Rovers will be at home to either Chesterfield Huddersfield Rotherham or Fleetwood

Two bogey teams, and two tough local rivals - not the kindest draw. But down at our place, and hopefully get a few more through the gate to watch - should be a decent game, and play anything like the second half we've a good chance. Play anything like the first half and we're in trouble!!!

if we had finished 2nd in the group, the prize was potentially an easier route to thr next round...  doh..

[Prez]

Knowing our luck despite finishing top we will still be drawn away.

[donnievic]

Ricky Charlesworth on x says
Rovers will be at home to either Chesterfield Huddersfield Rotherham or Fleetwood

Two bogey teams, and two tough local rivals - not the kindest draw. But down at our place, and hopefully get a few more through the gate to watch - should be a decent game, and play anything like the second half we've a good chance. Play anything like the first half and we're in trouble!!!

if we had finished 2nd in the group, the prize was potentially an easier route to thr next round...  doh..

really!!! Bolton port vale Crewe or Harrogate away,much rather be at home

[The Beast]

I'm told the money involved is practically from allowing the prem teams in it.

The PL teams put in a significant amount of dosh.
It has been discussed on here a few times.

Hound, its money we should be getting without being held to ransom

Totally agree but with trickle down economics you have to grab what you can get. Hopefully this new IFR will make things fairer, when it gets going but I won’t hold my breath.

[drfchound]

I'm told the money involved is practically from allowing the prem teams in it.

The PL teams put in a significant amount of dosh.
It has been discussed on here a few times.

Hound, its money we should be getting without being held to ransom

Totally agree but with trickle down economics you have to grab what you can get. Hopefully this new IFR will make things fairer, when it gets going but I won’t hold my breath.

I was told a couple of years ago that we got something like £600k from the PL in return for their U21 teams being allowed into the EFL Trophy thing.

[DMnumber4]

Not sure how the PL teams benefit when they either aren't taking it seriously and/or aren't competitive enough to make an impact - as has generally been the case since they were introduced in 2016 (hadn't realised it was that long!)

The whole format seems to have run it's course and gone stale. Quick fix would be to go back to a knock out format which would add some jeapordy.

Longer term it seems as though a merger with the League Cup is inevitable.