EFL Trophy - Monkey Hangers (H)

Team: Hartlepool United

Date: 31/08/16

Where: Meadow Lane

What line-up should John Sheridan opt for? What will be the key areas for the Magpies to get a victory? What do you think the final score will be?

Have your say below, join in with the Pride of Nottingham match discussion.

The main qestion is will the crowd reach three figures?

Agree with @weymouthPIE , the only thing of proper interest across the competition will be the numbers through the turnstiles , destined to be a huge flop .

I would normally have attended this game, but after reading opinions from many lower league fans I have decided to join the boycott.  My initial thoughts were to attend games against 'real' clubs but boycott any B team fixtures.  I've now decided to avoid this shameful experiment completely, even if it means missing out on a trip to Wembley.  I had a glance at the betting and all the B teams are favourites.  I really hope crowds across the board are minimal, and the later stages are dominated by B teams.  The initial concept of this competition was to give the lower leagues a chance of a day at Wembley, if that is denied it should be scrapped.

I would normally have attended this game, but after reading opinions from many lower league fans I have decided to join the boycott.  My initial thoughts were to attend games against 'real' clubs but boycott any B team fixtures.  I've now decided to avoid this shameful experiment completely, even if it means missing out on a trip to Wembley.  I had a glance at the betting and all the B teams are favourites.  I really hope crowds across the board are minimal, and the later stages are dominated by B teams.  The initial concept of this competition was to give the lower leagues a chance of a day at Wembley, if that is denied it should be scrapped.

Me too


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I'm not bothering either, just no interest at all in this.

I'm not saying we purposely lose, but maybe a directive of 'this is a training game, result not important, Haydn Hollis feel free to make as many mistakes as you can'

I'm not saying we purposely lose, but maybe a directive of 'this is a training game, result not important, Haydn Hollis feel free to make as many mistakes as you can'

Would be good to see a few fringe players given a chance.

My team would be:

-------Adam Campbell----------
-Aborah--Snijders-Burke-Oliver
-----------Rodman-------------
-Tootle-Dickinson-Duffy-Audel-Adam Collin-

We have to play first team players, that's a rule, but there is no rule specifying what position. 4-1-5 will almost be a guaranteed loser

Collin

Wildin Smith Dickinson Audel

Snijders Aborah  Richards

Burke Campbell

Oliver

A team like this might fit the bill, to avoid unnecessary fines and have a chance of winning...Prize money on offer maybe too good to avoid despite reservations over this competition

18 minutes ago, Piethagoram said:

Collin

Wildin Smith Dickinson Audel

Snijders Aborah  Richards

Burke Campbell

Oliver

A team like this might fit the bill, to avoid unnecessary fines and have a chance of winning...Prize money on offer maybe too good to avoid despite reservations over this competition

I forgot we have to play 3 games in this awful 'competition' anyway, so it might be better fielding a team such as yours to give the fringe/youngsters a run out, but also we need to ensure we don't progress further than necessary.

Each EFL Club must field a minimum of five first-team players in the starting 11. 
 

Rule for competition

How do you define a first team player? Surely any member of the first team squad is a potential part of the first 11.

I believe it may be defined as 5 players who have played in last Saturday's first team match ( so being starting 11 plus any subs that played)

I understand that both Luton and Wimbledon voted against the changes, and their fans have raised enough to cover the 5K fine that is imposed for not playing first teamers.  Both teams made 11 changes so will be fined.  Full respect to both of them, to our eternal shame NCFC voted in favour of the inclusion of B teams.  

@Elite_pie agree with you when you say respect to them , as for any clubs that voted in favour , fans do what's necessary and boycott .

There is another way to protest, by contacting the sponsor, the address is [email protected] and I've just sent the following:

I wish to object to your sponsorship of the EFL ‘Checkabetrayed’ Trophy. The disgraceful decision to include Premiership ‘B’ teams is despised by a huge majority of lower league fans, and I will be joining them in never using your company again. Please review your connection with this sham of a competition, as it will do your company nothing but harm.

If enough people let them know, it might just make them think again.

Lots of goals in it tonight , just had a look on red button wanted to see attendance's , hope they are on later , noticed Izale scored for yeovil also .

29 minutes ago, Who r ya?? You Pies!! said:

Lots of goals in it tonight , just had a look on red button wanted to see attendance's , hope they are on later , noticed Izale scored for yeovil also .

Sheff Utd got  3,632  tonight. They had 19,313 on Saturday. 

Hope that's reflected across the competition % wise of normal attendance , thanks for that @Super_Danny_Allsopp

Tonight's gates in full, seven games had less than 1000, join the boycott, this "experiment" cannot succeed!!!!

Tonight's gates in full, seven games had less than 1000, join the boycott, this "experiment" cannot succeed!!!!

Thanks for putting that on @BradtheMiller interesting numbers to say the least .

The majority of B sides lost last night. That's something at least. The standout B side was Norwich. Looks like they are taking the competition seriously, they beat Peterborough 6-1 away from home. 

I would be interested to know what last seasons first round attendance figures were, apart from a few games the figures generally look around about the average for round one.

I won't be going tonight, not because I'm boycotting this years tournament, but because I have boycotted it for the last 15 years as a complete distraction from serious football.