Proposed competition with Premier League U23

[Edd1]

Terrible idea. Just another attempt to get top flight B teams into the league pyramid. PL wanting it all as usual. If they have so many players they aren't getting game time then maybe they have too many players and should off load.

Personally I won't touch it with a barge pole.

[EastBarnetFan]

Some great points made here. Grounds will be empty, staff will put out super weak squads, risk of injuries, worsening pitches and fixture congestion, and there's little to no financial incentive. Ultimately, what's the point?

[jerroll]

If it was to happen would make sense to play the group stages in pre-season as your final 3 warm up games!

[becbee]

If it was to happen would make sense to play the group stages in pre-season as your final 3 warm up games!

Good idea. Even those of us who are anti the tournament would attend if it were a way of watching PSFs.

But unlikely the PL clubs would agree, don't they take their most promising young players away with them on their club distant overseas tours in those weeks?

[jerroll]

If it was to happen would make sense to play the group stages in pre-season as your final 3 warm up games!

Good idea. Even those of us who are anti the tournament would attend if it were a way of watching PSFs.

But unlikely the PL clubs would agree, don't they take their most promising young players away with them on their club distant overseas tours in those weeks?

Might improve their carbon footprints by not flying off on overseas tours!!

[EastBarnetFan]

I've never quite understood why the big clubs fill their PSF with youngsters who never end up playing for the first team. Like what's the point of even doing the friendly then? If half the squad is missing and no fitness training is done.

[DerekRocholl]

If it gives NL clubs a decent amount of increased income which helps improve the sustainability and long terms competitiveness of the league, and is heavily marketed by PL teams to their supporters so that they go to games, enjoy visiting NL grounds and come back for other matches it is to be welcomed.

If it is badly funded and largely ignored by PL club supporters it is difficult to see what the positives are.

[letchbee94]

If it was to happen would make sense to play the group stages in pre-season as your final 3 warm up games!

Very good idea that John or maybe make it 1 or 2 of the games.

[Jimbokav1971]

I know very little about this competition, and although it's something which i have absolutely zero interest in, it's also something that might come in quite handy as we're carrying a bigger squad than we usually do, and seem to finally be getting our Academy/Youth system sorted out again.

I don't mind the extra games per se. I just mind who they are against.

[John Hunt]

Bin this nonsense.

Bring back good old fashioned reserve teams in their own leagues.

Local leagues. All the London teams in one big local reserve league would be fun.

Play them midweek afternoons at the team's training ground.

Would give out of favour players and recovering players competitive matches. With so many substitutes these days some players don't get decent game time.

Would give scouts the chance to see players.

Allow spectators to watch for free.

In the good old days didn't Bazza have to use some supporters to fulfil these matches?

[thebeekeeper]

It’s insulting. Senior teams representing proud professional football clubs forced to be practice fodder for youth teams. National League clubs exist in the same football pyramid as the Premier League clubs but that principle of being part of the same system is undermined by having us served up for training exercises for their kids.

Completely agree with this, it's a terrible idea that I don't think has any real support among National League fans.

However, the clubs are clearly going to be given a solid amount of money to take part, so I can see what the NL board / club owners will be keen to support it.

I think a lot will come down to whether we're obliged to play a certain number of first team players. If not, then it's essentially a glorified reserves cup competition, and I don't have too much of a problem. But it'll be very frustrating if we have to play first team regulars and put them at risk of injury.

[rudebwoyben]

There is a minimum number of first-team players (i.e players who played in the previous league match) that have to be part of the starting line-up for this wretched abomination of a competition.

[Jimbokav1971]

There is a minimum number of first-team players (i.e players who played in the previous league match) that have to be part of the starting line-up for this wretched abomination of a competition.

Wow. Is there? That's shocking! Where did you see that?

[blitzkrieg bee]

Im sure i read somewhere it was 4 1st team players from previous league match must start each match as a minimum.
Not sure how many subs allowed in this odious competition but if its 5 then teams could potentially sub off their 4 1st teamers after say 5 mins,however if all NL clubs took this stance it is likely the PL would take legal action against it as they wouldnt be getting what they wanted. Hopefully the competition will not go ahead but the PL have been clever here as the 8 non qualifying NL clubs plus the NLN & NLS clubs will all undoubtedly vote for it as they will receive monies for nothing with no risk so voting would be likely 56 for 16 against

[thebeekeeper]

There is a minimum number of first-team players (i.e players who played in the previous league match) that have to be part of the starting line-up for this wretched abomination of a competition.

That's the case for the EFL Trophy, but I haven't seen anything to suggest it's definitely going to be part of this competition, unless I've missed that news?