Really impressed with Craig tonight, and in previous cameos. He’s way ahead of Savage and needs to be in the team or bench at very least.

Vickers is a little star.Did more useful and entertaining stuff in 80 mins thanAzeez has managed all season. I’d start him.

Kelvin played well. My first look at Wareham, he looked a possible, put himself about, won a few headers. Mbengue lively but went off injured. Didn’t like Mukairu.

Very enjoyable game. Three pens, two missed, one red card, seven goals, loads of missed chances, a few heavy tackles. Holmes lucky to stay on, thought their guy unlucky to be sent off, nothing more than a stern challenge, Kinibbs was fine a couple of minutes later.

Looked busy going in, maybe 3,000 including walk-ups?

I believe I am Craig’s number one fan on HNA. Tbf, myself and Hound were the first to recognise his talent. I think IR said he’d be good, but not until the 26/27 season.

Pretty much a text book red. Especially for a ref that was blowing up and giving pens for minimal contact all night.

Lunging in on the stretch, possibly off the ground, went over the ball and into Knibbs shin. About the only thing in his favour was he didn't actively jump in two footed and he probably could have used more force.

Not sure what Holmes did to be lucky to stay on. For his body check there were covering defenders. Wasn't very bad imo.

Re the red, your view not the one shared by the guys round me, thirty yards away. Old guys, mind.

I agree

Yeah in the olden days that wouldn't have even been a yellow - unless he's bleeding and the bone is showing it is just a strong challenge

Yeah in the olden days that wouldn't have even been a yellow - unless he's bleeding and the bone is showing it is just a strong challenge

Looked red immediately watching on TV and the ref, being only 5 yards away took and second and then went straight for the back pocket - red all day.

Another frustrating performance which shows these players can perform - yes we have been playing weaker sides but to go from losing league games to winning 9-0, 5-0, 5-2 in this is crazy.

We've played 6 cup games this season winning 5 and losing the other on pens scoring 28 goals in the process - 28! On current form we won't score 28 in the league until we've played another 10 or 11 games.

Yeah in the olden days that wouldn't have even been a yellow - unless he's bleeding and the bone is showing it is just a strong challenge

Looked red immediately watching on TV and the ref, being only 5 yards away took and second and then went straight for the back pocket - red all day.
Yeah, the 70s were 50 years ago chaps. You can't just kick lumps out of people anymore. You haven't been able to for 20 to 30 years.

Yeah in the olden days that wouldn't have even been a yellow - unless he's bleeding and the bone is showing it is just a strong challenge

Looked red immediately watching on TV and the ref, being only 5 yards away took and second and then went straight for the back pocket - red all day.

Another frustrating performance which shows these players can perform - yes we have been playing weaker sides but to go from losing league games to winning 9-0, 5-0, 5-2 in this is crazy.

We've played 6 cup games this season winning 5 and losing the other on pens scoring 28 goals in the process - 28! On current form we won't score 28 in the league until we've played another 10 or 11 games.

It’s another game where it’s a nice result but almost confuses things more regarding the team we should be playing in the league

It’s one of the things Selles just hasn’t dealt with. He might give the likes of Craig and Vickers a start vs Wycombe but he then quickly falls back to the likes of Azeez and Hutchinson when we lose a game

He made Holmes captain for this - does that mean he’s coming back in the first 11? Why has he been ignored for so long previously if so.

Genuinely think he has no idea what our best 11 is. And in truth I don’t think many of us do - but obvs that’s Selles job to work this out

There’s a squad of talented players that regularly underperform in the league, seem confused by tactics, bottle it every week. And look a totally different side in the u21 league and cup games

Vickers seems to play as a 2nd striker. Now 4222 is seemingly replaced by 433 in the league, how does he fit in? Could he take a wide berth? I get the criticism of Azeez, but he gives you work rate. I haven't seen enough of Vickers to know how good his tracking back is.

I've fancied Vickers wide right for a while now.

It's not his position long term, but it fits where he is now. Mercurial, enthusiastic, positive, but a bit lightweight.

He played RW most of last night and did well.

I've fancied Vickers wide right for a while now.

It's not his position long term, but it fits where he is now. Mercurial, enthusiastic, positive, but a bit lightweight.

He played RW most of last night and did well.

Someone on here pointed out similarities with a young Grealish. I would agree with that from what I've seen.

I've fancied Vickers wide right for a while now.

It's not his position long term, but it fits where he is now. Mercurial, enthusiastic, positive, but a bit lightweight.

He played RW most of last night and did well.

Someone on here pointed out similarities with a young Grealish. I would agree with that from what I've seen.

He should be playing (instead of Mr "no end product") and perhaps given a free role right across the front.

Anyone else think the ref was shite? He looked about 20 stone, and couldn't get about the pitch much. Loads of soft decisions.

Anyone else think the ref was shite? He looked about 20 stone, and couldn't get about the pitch much.

Did you mean Dean?

Craig certainly seems more rounded than Savage atm. I think he should definitely be playing if we've got a midfield three. Perhaps having Craig and Hutch as DMs, with Wing being more advanced would be something to look at in the league.

Vickers out wide was interesting to see; he did well out there. His ball control always seemed to cause their full-back problems. He wouldn't be up against strong CBs out wide; his biggest weakness is literally his weakness. I think he'd need to bulk up a bit to be a central attacker, but that's less of an issue out wide. His decision making has certainly been better than Azeez's this season.

Ehib did well, as expected; was a shame he didn't score his penalty to get a hat-trick - good save from the keeper though. Wareham reminds me a bit of Simon Church - shows lots of energy, works well and shows the right attitude, but is a bit raw. If he keeps working on his game, he could be a player who'll break into the first team squad regularly within a year.

Mbengue did alright. It was certainly a good idea to give him a go at DM/CM. If Yiadom is going to be RB going forward, Mbengue will get more opportunities at DM this season. Hopefully it was only something minor like cramp that forced him off (as it appeared to be).

Mukairu seems quick, but doesn't appear to have much else about his game. He does seem like a player who could progress well with a side who plays attacking, direct football - which isn't what we're going for under Selles.

I'm not sure any of the penalties should've been given as penalties; thought the red card was the correct decision; can't remember the Holmes incident to comment. Ended up as 3,015 with 498 Arsenal fans.

Very comfortable night, which got more comfortable as first team players like Wing, Knibbs and Smith came off the bench. Can't say I was overly impressed by any of the Arsenal players - although Nelson's foot work for their second goal was good (although he's someone who's played a decent amount of Premier League football over the past few years) and their goalkeeper did well. They had a lot of possession, but didn't really look too threatening with the ball.

I think it showed the gap between U21 football and first team football well. Even with a large number of players who were playing U21 football recently (Ehib, Vickers, Craig, Carson, Wareham), we looked a level above that Arsenal U21 side despite us being bottom of League One (albeit a side that's competing in basically all our League One matches).

Anyone else think the ref was shite? He looked about 20 stone, and couldn't get about the pitch much. Loads of soft decisions.
Yes, he was shite.

Wycombe 1 Wimbledon 0 - so it’s Wimbledon we could be drawn against and not Wycombe.

Wycombe 1 Wimbledon 0 - so it’s Wimbledon we could be drawn against and not Wycombe.
Add Charlton and Oxford Utd and Colchester as possible after tonight’s results.

Presume the draw is today or tomorrow?

Reading will get a home tie (expected for Tue 5 December) against one of the following 7 teams -

Brighton U21
Charlton Athletic
Wimbledon
Colchester
Fulham U21
Oxford
Bristol Rovers

Other teams in the Southern section are:

MK Dons
West Ham U21
Arsenal U21
Wycombe
Crawley
Peterborough
Forest Green
Portsmouth

In the Northern Section the remaining 16 sides are:

Blackpool
Liverpool U21
Wrexham
Port Vale
Accrington
Forest U21
Wigan
Bolton
Fleetwood
Stockport
Bradford
Barnsley
Lincoln
Derby
Burton
Doncaster

Last year the draw was on the Friday following after the final group game. There's very little information however. I'd fancy us to beat any academy or League Two side at home; not so sure about League One sides - unless they're playing their kids.

Should be more than capable of beating anyone there really - not really much of a difference between our A and B sides unlike most sides there

I know it's a joke trophy, but if went all the way and won it, it would brighten up a miserable season. Would anyone in our current situation say no to a season which involves relegation, a takeover and winning the Bristol Pizza Delivery Vans trophy?

Winning the EFL Trophy, takeover with a promising owner (Ashley or similar) an away win and relegation.

Honestly, I'd probably take it.

Winning the EFL Trophy, takeover with a promising owner (Ashley or similar) an away win and relegation.

Honestly, I'd probably take it.
I may add in a heroic escape failure. If we're even further adrift when the takeover is completed (say 15 points) but end up keeping it to 3, it adds some excitement but more importantly will probably persuade players that an instant return is likely and this is a project worth sticking with.

Winning the EFL Trophy, takeover with a promising owner (Ashley or similar) an away win and relegation.

Honestly, I'd probably take it.
I may add in a heroic escape failure. If we're even further adrift when the takeover is completed (say 15 points) but end up keeping it to 3, it adds some excitement but more importantly will probably persuade players that an instant return is likely and this is a project worth sticking with.

Yeah, would go along with that as well.

Draw details: .

The Round of 32 draw will take place live on Sky Sports News at 6.30pm on Friday 24 November, in the lead-up to Sky Sports’ coverage of the Sky Bet Championship match between Rotherham United and Leeds United.

Sky Sports’ Michelle Owen will host the draw alongside former Jamaican international, Jermaine Beckford and former Republic of Ireland international, Clinton Morrison.

For the Round of 32 Draw, Clubs will remain regionalised with each Group winner being drawn at home to a second-placed Club from a different qualifying Group.

Bristol Street Motors Trophy Round of 32 ties are to take place week commencing December 4. We'll be ball 7 in the Southern Section.

1. In order to guarantee these conditions are met, each regional section – the Northern and Southern Sections – will be split into two separate draws: Draw A and Draw B.


2. Draw A will consist of the four winners from Northern Groups A, B, C and D and the four runners up from Groups E, F, G and H.


3. Numbers 1-4 are placed in the winners’ pot and numbers 13-16 are placed in the runner up pot. Balls will be drawn from the winners’ pot first and then on an alternate basis for the first four ties.


4. Draw B will consist of the four winners from Northern Groups E, F, G and H and the four runners up from Groups A, B, C and D.


5. Numbers 5-8 are placed in the winners’ pot and numbers 9-12 are placed in the runner up pot. Balls will be drawn from the winners’ pot first and then on an alternate basis for the first four ties.


6. The above process is repeated for the winners and runners up from Southern Groups A through to H.

Round of 32 Draw – Southern Section
Draw A
Seeded
1 - Forest Green Rovers
2 - Crawley Town
3 - Wycombe Wanderers
4 - Peterborough United

Unseeded
13 - Fulham U21
14 - Oxford United
15 - Arsenal U21
16 - Bristol Rovers

Draw B
Seeded
5 - Portsmouth
6 - Milton Keynes Dons
7 - Reading
8 - West Ham United U21

Unseeded
9 - Brighton & Hove Albion U21
10 - Charlton Athletic
11 - AFC Wimbledon
12 - Colchester United

Round of 32 Draw – Northern Section
Draw A
Seeded
1 - Blackpool
2 - Wrexham
3 - Accrington Stanley
4 - Wigan Athletic

Unseeded
13 - Stockport County
14 - Barnsley
15 - Lincoln City
16 - Burton Albion

Draw B
Seeded
5 - Bolton Wanderers
6 - Bradford City
7 - Derby County
8 - Doncaster Rovers

Unseeded
9 - Liverpool U21
10 - Port Vale
11 - Nottingham Forest U21
12 - Fleetwood Town

So we'll be at home to one of Brighton U21; Charlton; Wimbledon or Colchester.

Apparently our possible opponents have been slimed down to Brighton U21, Charlton, Wimbledon or Colchester.

Full draw on Friday evening.

So the only one to be particularly cautious of, is Charlton, in case they play a strong side, but its unlikely anyone will. The Dons and Colchester aren't going especially strong in L2. Nor is Chalton in L1, but being midtable they may fancy a deep run for some success. If we can take on Arsenal U21s, it feels like Brighton U21s shouldn't be a lot more challenging.

On the other hand a strong Colchester or Wimbledon vs our B side would give us a better idea of how we might fare in L2 next season.

Dave Benson-Phillips to host the evening.