Changes to the JPT format confirmed today - our under 21s will have at least three games in the group stages; Round dates also confirmed: http://www.efl.com/news/article/2016/efl-trophy-format-confirmed-for-201617-3170687.aspx
I see that the sweetener for League clubs is that the invited clubs (including us) will donate money to the League 1 and 2 clubs.
It's only a portion of Gate receipts - I highly suspect most PL fans won't bother with it, though I have a sneaky feeling we might have a decent turn out given our history in the competition.
As you only share the money after costs, I think it would be a nice touch if we handed over all our money (if we make any).
I've just noticed that rounds 3 & 4 of the JPT\EFL Trophy are on the same dates as the Capital One Cup\EFL Cup semi-final legs - what happens if a League 1 or two club goes a long way in both, I wonder.
You'd think, but it's almost as bad if an U21 team goes along way asonly 6 of the starting 11 actually have to be under 21 and it's also the time of year the FA cup is just kicking off, too - January could be a very busy time of year & groundsmen will certainly be kept busy: he's all the potential matches we could play on my mega season predictor & results spreadsheet (it's in excel): https://www.dropbox.com/s/7gwqynvpmelzl0d/Fixtures_16-17.xlsx?dl=0 I had to do a lot of moving things about to get those dates to fit!
I don't know why the Skates are moaning so much, they'd have a much better chance of beating our U21's than our first team or are they just scared of the shame of losing to them... Plus they would have the chance of a big payday at SMS...
That's the rule for the under 21 league...which I believe has now been re-branded as premier league 2
I like that even group games will have penalty shootouts if drawn, with the winners getting 2 points and losers 1 point in the scenario. I wonder how 'regionalised' the regions will be. E.g. just North/South like before, or more localised?
Apropos of nothing: the only major North American sports league which has shootouts in the regular season is the NHL. They also have the dumbest points structure imaginable for such. Win in regulation, you get two points. Win in overtime or a shootout, you get two points...and the loser gets a point. A team that colluded with its opposition to draw 0-0 in every match through regulation and overtime, while winning half their shootouts, would finish the season with the most points by a mile.
Apparently the argument these teams are putting forward is that the programme is too crowded, but they could always play their younger players. The idea is to give Academy players competitive games...can't see the problem. One club also said their players could be abroad...on a fund raising tour no doubt.
