Derby County U23

[Tumbleweed_MVF]

I think we should be trying to get this game abandoned or at least suspended/delayed and just generally cause a bit of a scene.

 

I don't think delaying the start or getting it abandoned is the right way as it will effect the club.

 

How about the many who are boycotting the game turn up and protest/remain outside. Get it filmed and posted on social media.

 

Or

 

Turn up and go in 30minutes after kick off, remain silent during game to have quiet atmosphere then leave 30 minutes before end.

 

The club still get money which is important, our players get a crowd (silent) but the message is spread to the power at be.

 

 

No real negative coverage for Port Vale but fans can do something positive.

[CambridgeDon]

Against League 3, a grass roots supporters' body campaigning against the football establishment's proposals to put in place radical changes to the pyramid structure of English football, has helpfully set out the reasons why games with U23 sides should be boycotted. Their reasons, well argued in my view, can be found here:

 

http://www.againstleague3.co.uk/eflbteams/

 

You may or may not agree with them but, if you're undecided, it's worth giving this a read before Tuesday.

 

AL3 have rightly seen this as another step in realigning the Football League to suit the demands of the ever greedy Premier League and its chairmen who care little or nothing for the football pyramid that has served English football so well for so long.

 

It may not help the Vale in the short term to have a reduced attendance but, in the long term, if the U23 model succeeds, it will only encourage the Football League in its desire to radically change the league pyramid.

 

The Football League is a dysfunctional organisation. It would better advised to spend its time influencing, persuading and negotiating with the Premier League to share their hugely inflated television income with the lower league clubs. Even a small percentage, given the massive amounts involved, would make a huge difference to cash-strapped clubs in the lower leagues. But no, they would rather spend their time tampering with one of the best, if not the best, football structure in the world.

 

The U23 proposals, the restructuring of the football league, the end of FA Cup replays and other damaging changes are all part of changes that will damage lower league clubs to the benefit of footballing's elite.

 

Please, have nothing to do with it!

[Biddlemon]

Having seen Burton v Derby on tv the other night I would fancy our team beating their first team at the moment. It's insulting what has happened to this competition.

[Jacko51]

The irony in all of this, of course, is that the Premier League don't want this either. Only 8 of the 16 teams invited are from the Prem. The rest turned it down.

[yoblet]

with it being international week and no game for 2 weeks it's fell nice for the prem clubs to play some of there first team or fringe players and will use OUR cup competition as part of there fitness programme.

[CambridgeDon]

The irony in all of this, of course, is that the Premier League don't want this either. Only 8 of the 16 teams invited are from the Prem. The rest turned it down.

 

I know some premier leagues clubs have declined to participate but here is the official Premier League view:

 

A Premier League spokesman said: "The overriding aim of the Elite Player Performance Plan across the Premier League and English Football League is to produce more and better home grown players capable of performing at first team and international levels.

 

"Participation for a selection of Premier League clubs' teams to take part in the EFL Trophy is an important part of a range developments that both we and the EFL believe will help young, talented players progress physically and mentally on top of the technical aspect of their game developed in the Academy system.

 

"It is a progressive move by both leagues; one that we welcome."

[PV1973]

You never know with it being against their u23s tomorrow night it could also be a big chance for some of our young lads too. They need some support from those in the ground rather than talk of those in the ground protesting etc.

[NellyTheValiant]

I'm sure that if they suddenly turned around and said right you're all playing in the 4th division at the expense of Luton Town, Portsmouth, Accrington etc they wouldn't turn it down. A couple of games here and there is a cobbled together cup isn't going to make them jump at the chance, not enough in it for them.

[Jacko51]

I know some premier leagues clubs have declined to participate but here is the official Premier League view:

 

A Premier League spokesman said: "The overriding aim of the Elite Player Performance Plan across the Premier League and English Football League is to produce more and better home grown players capable of performing at first team and international levels.

 

"Participation for a selection of Premier League clubs' teams to take part in the EFL Trophy is an important part of a range developments that both we and the EFL believe will help young, talented players progress physically and mentally on top of the technical aspect of their game developed in the Academy system.

 

"It is a progressive move by both leagues; one that we welcome."

 

That's the view of the Premier League, not the Premier League clubs.

 

Any changes to the Football League will depend on the agreement of 90% of the Football League chairmen. These are the guys who hold the future of the League in their hands. These are the guys that fans should be targetting. Our bloke has already expressed his disapproval of this move. The rest need persuading.

[Conrad]

When hardly any fans turn up and it costs the clubs to stage the games, the chairmen won't need much persuading.

[VantaaVale]

Those running the Premier League can't see the wood for the trees. Take a look at their "Solidarity" statement.

 

https://www.premierleague.com/about/solidarity

 

Just looking at some of the statements that don't highlight the financial aspects of this league (I had to start at paragraph 4...)

 

The global stars attracted to the Premier League help raise the playing standards of young English talent such as Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley, Dele Alli, John Stones and Luke Shaw. Our clubs are producing excellent players, who take their place alongside the international superstars on merit.

 

Is this the Ross Barkley who cannot now get into the England squad? The Raheem Sterling who was so out of his depth at Euro 2016? The John Stones who had a shockingly poor season last time around, being exposed time and time again by these "international superstars"? The Deli Alli that came from that well established Premier League club, MK Dons?

 

Central to the continued progress of the Premier League, and the wider English game, is the Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP), which was produced by the Premier League after consulting representatives of the Football League and the FA.

 

It will be this talent, developed through the EPPP, which will see some of the best prepared world-class players taking part in what will be most competitive and compelling league in football.

 

And yet tomorrow Vale will be playing against a B team from the second tier of English football, whose players I am sure are thinking that by playing at Port Vale they are taking a huge step towards being world class players.

 

The powerful Premier League clubs have made a very clear statement as to what they think about how this competition will develop their players.

 

The Premier League and its Clubs are committed to generating domestic talent, with more than 95% of young players in training being British.

 

How many of these players actually make it? How many end up plying their trade in the lower leagues because "win at all costs" managers will not put them into their first team when there are ready made players from overseas?

 

What's completely missing from this statement is directly stating that one objective is to make the national team competitive.

[TylerB]

You keep burying that head in the sand there.

 

This is much bigger than 'geling the squad a bit more.' It's about the integrity of English football as we know it.

 

I'm not saying it isn't. But it is what it is, and isn't going to change at this moment in time, so there's little point in sounding like you're about to slit your wrists over it.

[Rudge's Flat Cap]

It's not bizarre though is it? We're playing an Under 23 team in the Checkatrade cup. It's a complete insult. There is no comparison to not turning up for league games.

[ELDERBEZZA]

I know some premier leagues clubs have declined to participate but here is the official Premier League view:

 

A Premier League spokesman said: "The overriding aim of the Elite Player Performance Plan across the Premier League and English Football League is to produce more and better home grown players capable of performing at first team and international levels.

 

"Participation for a selection of Premier League clubs' teams to take part in the EFL Trophy is an important part of a range developments that both we and the EFL believe will help young, talented players progress physically and mentally on top of the technical aspect of their game developed in the Academy system.

 

"It is a progressive move by both leagues; one that we welcome."

Not our beloved Mr Bet 365,he agrees to it!!Anything to put the knife in Vale's back!!!!I certainly won't support this competition.

[Mario]

Not our beloved Mr Bet 365,he agrees to it!!Anything to put the knife in Vale's back!!!!I certainly won't support this competition.

 

Seconded ........