Reading FC not invited to the... erm... party?

[genome]

[Hendo]

I do hope that some of these fans who are boycotting games still boycott if they get to the final. How many will, I'm not sure.

[TFF]

They've got a point though.

It's just a small step away from Man City B being given league status.

I'm disappointed we accepted the invite and won't be overly upset if we get dicked in every game.

[Ian Royal]

They've got a point though.

It's just a small step away from Man City B being given league status.

I'm disappointed we accepted the invite and won't be overly upset if we get dicked in every game.

I get that. Think it's quite a huge step though

[genome]

Let's face it if the shoe was on the other foot many on here would feel the same as they do.

[winchester_royal]

Was talking to a Pompey fan m8 about this earlier and he freely admitted that they just play the youngsters anyway so he doesn't really give a shit.

It's a trophy that the clubs never really took seriously before all this so I don't get all the bluster. I suppose it's just another excuse for people to have a little moan.

[Sutekh]

Was talking to a Pompey fan m8 about this earlier and he freely admitted that they just play the youngsters anyway so he doesn't really give a shit.

It's a trophy that the clubs never really took seriously before all this so I don't get all the bluster. I suppose it's just another excuse for people to have a little moan.

They're probably moaning as they expect all PL and Academy 18 year olds to be good enough to stuff their first teams and therefore close off the best route for a day out at Wembley for a lower league team.

[Z175]

I think people can only complain if they regularly attend all JPT games. No one really cares until the later stages surely.
Sensible compromise instead of the appalling League 3 idea.

a 4th substitute on the other hand

[paultheroyal]

Statement from Oxford...

"There has been a significant amount of debate amongst supporters about the revamped format of the EFL Trophy. If nothing else, it is a reminder that football is a game of passion, friendly argument and opinion and, ultimately belongs to the supporters!

"Having been a lifelong football supporter and now the privileged owner of this great football club, I would like to cut through some of the more extreme views surrounding the new format, and, in particular, any suggestion that this is the precursor to ‘B’ teams joining the Football League.

Here are my views :

1. This is a one year experiment – period. The club will not vote for a continuation of this format and the inclusion of ‘B’ teams going forward.

Given this position, I would like to think that we will support the experiment and get behind the team, as the prize is still a day out at Wembley.

To be clear, it is this experiment that the Board voted for and nothing else. A boycott is, of course, the fans prerogative but the reality is it harms the club more than the competition.

2. It is not the ‘thin end of the wedge’ and this club will never support the introduction of ‘B’ teams into the league structure. Moreover, every Chairman I have spoken to about this issue is in full agreement that this will never happen.

Moreover, to reiterate the rules, even if it went to a vote, it would require over 90% of clubs to vote in favour. This, in my view, simply will not happen.

I commend supporters for their passionate desire to protect and defend our game – and long may this continue – but we need to retain perspective and ensure we fight the battles that need fighting, rather than those which haven’t arisen, and in my view, won’t arise.

To conclude :

1. We will support the experiment and I encourage all fans to support the team – even if you do not support the competition.

2. The club will never vote, under my stewardship for the inclusion of ‘B’ teams in the League structure. Your Board is in full agreement with this."

[Hendo]

Using moreover twice in consecutive sentences, get out.

[One8Seven1*]

All this talk of boycotting, yet if their club wins the trophy they get something like £2m which can transform a League 1 or 2 club's fortunes. Just back your team no matter what!

[Maneki Neko]

any league 1 or 2 side should comfortably beat most academy sides anyway

[Sutekh]

SOS Pompey have reformed – and issued a call to arms against the instigators of the EFL Trophy.

The supporter group played an integral part in the successful defeat of Portpin as Pompey came under community ownership in April 2013.

Now they are back, determined to scrap with football authorities over the controversial revamp of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Member Bob Beech insists a public meeting is already on the agenda as they plot their line of attack. And he has pledged SOS Pompey will once again bare their teeth in this latest fight.

He said: ‘We have been taking a sabbatical and had no reason to be stroppy, but now we’re back.

This is the job of SOS Pompey, this is what we are good at, leave it to us. We are just a gang of vagabonds. ‘We have a duty to get involved against this ridiculous competition.

Across the country this seems to be that straw. ‘I find it hilarious Pompey could be fined £5,000 for putting out the same standard of side that Reading could play against us. ‘It also makes a mockery of it that clubs like Reading, with all respect to them, are making up the numbers. ‘This situation is entirely the fault of the Premier League, who have allowed these clubs to hoover the seabed for every young player they can find and now they are not playing.

Somehow that is our fault and we have to sort it out. ‘Mark Catlin is right, the club have got to act professionally and have a duty to the Football League, we understand that, but at the same time fans across the country have to say “Do you know what, we have had enough of this, can we have our football back, mister”.

‘We’ve had no need to get involved in anything in recent times, the club has never been in safer hands. ‘But, judging from messages I have received and social media, there seems to be a mandate against this Mickey Mouse cup. ‘It’s like getting the band back together – and we have only just started.’ Meanwhile, Pompey fan Matt Smith is attempting to raise £15,000 should the club be fined for fielding weakened sides in the tournament.

Read more at: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/footb ... -1-7499298

Apparently a walkout of their support during their game v Reading is on the cards (hope the one with that b****y bell is first out)....

http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/201 ... efl-trophy

[sandman]

SOS Pompey have reformed – and issued a call to arms against the instigators of the EFL Trophy.

The supporter group played an integral part in the successful defeat of Portpin as Pompey came under community ownership in April 2013.

Now they are back, determined to scrap with football authorities over the controversial revamp of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Member Bob Beech insists a public meeting is already on the agenda as they plot their line of attack. And he has pledged SOS Pompey will once again bare their teeth in this latest fight.

He said: ‘We have been taking a sabbatical and had no reason to be stroppy, but now we’re back.

This is the job of SOS Pompey, this is what we are good at, leave it to us. We are just a gang of vagabonds. ‘We have a duty to get involved against this ridiculous competition.

Across the country this seems to be that straw. ‘I find it hilarious Pompey could be fined £5,000 for putting out the same standard of side that Reading could play against us. ‘It also makes a mockery of it that clubs like Reading, with all respect to them, are making up the numbers. ‘This situation is entirely the fault of the Premier League, who have allowed these clubs to hoover the seabed for every young player they can find and now they are not playing.

Somehow that is our fault and we have to sort it out. ‘Mark Catlin is right, the club have got to act professionally and have a duty to the Football League, we understand that, but at the same time fans across the country have to say “Do you know what, we have had enough of this, can we have our football back, mister”.

‘We’ve had no need to get involved in anything in recent times, the club has never been in safer hands. ‘But, judging from messages I have received and social media, there seems to be a mandate against this Mickey Mouse cup. ‘It’s like getting the band back together – and we have only just started.’ Meanwhile, Pompey fan Matt Smith is attempting to raise £15,000 should the club be fined for fielding weakened sides in the tournament.

Read more at: http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/footb ... -1-7499298

Apparently a walkout of their support during their game v Reading is on the cards (hope the one with that b****y bell is first out)....

http://thetilehurstend.sbnation.com/201 ... efl-trophy

So "a club like Reading" should be left out for investing in their academy and therefore the youth development of players in this country?

If Portsmouth had invested in their youth rather than spunking millions they didn't have on the likes of Benjani then they wouldn't be in the mess they're currently in.

Cheeky Barstewards.

[Maneki Neko]

we had an academy yet still spunked millions on the likes of pog, very nearly putting us into administration

[Top Flight]

No one's perfect.

[maffff]

Indeed, 7th (or whatever it was) in the Academy top tier last season, surely we should be in on merit over many of the Prem Cat1 that were invited based on their first team's finishing position.

[Sutekh]

Indeed, 7th (or whatever it was) in the Academy top tier last season, surely we should be in on merit over many of the Prem Cat1 that were invited based on their first team's finishing position.

please bear in mind that you are talking common sense, while the FL and PL are involved in the actual decision making

[maffff]

please bear in mind that you are talking common sense, while the FL and PL are involved in the actual decision making

Ah, please forgive me.

[Ian Royal]

we had an academy yet still spunked millions on the likes of pog, very nearly putting us into administration

Still paid our bills though, rather than defaulting on them and then defaulting on the tiny amount that didn't get written off the first time.