"Johnstones Paint Trophy, you'll never win that....."

Errrr actually...

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31702424

not a fan of the idea personally, robs some of the lesser teams in the league pyramid a chance of going to Wembley and lifting a trophy.

Better than ruining the current league structure for me.

Blimey. Why did they all vote for that crock of sh it?

Was galling enough when we were in L1 but being drawn against, say, Fulham reserves in the JPS cup would have been horrible.

Will there be some limit on the types of players that can play in the B teams though? Not sure I'm keen prefer to leave it to the teams in the lower leagues to have their shot at a wembley day out.

Surely this turns the JPT into a sh*tter version of the league cup when it's usually premier league reserve sides v lower league clubs.

Premier League Tinlids!............ It will be Lambs to the slaughter as proper league one and two players rumble over them and put a few up in the air!!

I think it should be open to teams in the Premier League who finish between 10th and 20th. This would definitely add a new dimension to finishing 17th and could result in a scramble towards the ednf the season for teams who look like they wont qualify for Europe losing as many games as possible to get in the 11th place slot.

I think this could suit us fine.

Errrr actually...

 

http://m.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/31702424

 

not a fan of the idea personally, robs some of the lesser teams in the league pyramid a chance of going to Wembley and lifting a trophy.

This^^^

Tthe whole point of the JPT is surely to give the league 1-2 teams a realistic chance of Silverware and a Wembley cup final putting in PL reserves in seems utterly pointless.

Are we talking about a new league that clubs from the first four leagues can have a go at each other? Sounds like fun.

A cup would be a farce though.

What the actual?

Would anyone really travel to see their reserve team play?

Ticking off grounds. Seeing the full spectrum of professional English football in action. A few surprises, nothing to fear.

Ticking off grounds. Seeing the full spectrum of professional English football in action. A few surprises, nothing to fear.

Didn't realise anyone was fearing anything. Just a pointless idea.

What the actual?

Would anyone really travel to see their reserve team play?

We would if we were drawn at, let's say Fratton Park

I wouldn't mind giving the skates a good tonking with our reserves

Didn't realise anyone was fearing anything. Just a pointless idea.

Neither did I which is why I said it ?

worthevenless cup.

Picking up where UEFA left off - ruining a decent cup competition

We would if we were drawn at, let's say Fratton Park

 

I wouldn't mind giving the skates a good tonking with our reserves

Isnt there a rule in the jpt that you have to use a certain percentage of the same players you used in the last round?

So in all likelihood our u21s - who have been poor this season don't forget - would get turned over by pompey to much embarrassment.

It's a ridiculous idea.

Are we the only PL team to have actually won it ?

Terrible idea would totally ruin what is actually quite a good competition for lower league teams and gives players who would otherwise have no chance the opportunity of a cup final day out. I really enjoyed it when we were down there and will admit to being disappointed when we were knocked out second season as I quite liked the idea of defending it.

As someone else said this would just turn it into a second rate league cup which is already contested by premier league reserve sides in front of tiny crowds. Hopefully the FA obsession with B teams will be replaced by something slightly less stupid and irritating soon.

Are we the only PL team to have actually won it ?

Stoke and Swansea have also won it previously.

Would be a laugh going to a few League one and two grounds again.

So much more fun than Premiership aways.

We might even score

The real problem is that Prem. clubs U21 teams - only play against other U21 sides, whereas at L1/L2 level you also have up and coming youngsters....

PLUS.....a whole parade of "over 30 aged former stars" playing out their careers. It's a chance to see younger lads playing against seasoned opponents - even if they maybe past their best (by Prem.standards), it's still another level of opposition that Academy-aged lads might not normally see...

AND...playing at SMS can still a big step-up for those only used to playing for a handful of fans at Staplewood..whereas a game against L2 opposition with a 4,000 crowd is a smaller step-up, and a somewhat calmer experience than making your debut at White Hart Lane or Anfield.

The big problem - is (that) Academy player really good enough to chance in a Prem. game. Example: Seen quite a bit of discussion on here about Ryan Seager.

We have Stephens and Turnbull out on loan with Swindon - and getting good reviews, so what harm is there in trying out a B side for a few "one-off games" ?

I think it's worth more investigation and a trial at least.

The real problem is that Prem. clubs U21 teams - only play against other U21 sides, whereas at L1/L2 level you also have up and coming youngsters....

PLUS.....a whole parade of "over 30 aged former stars" playing out their careers. It's a chance to see younger lads playing against seasoned opponents - even if they maybe past their best (by Prem.standards), it's still another level of opposition that Academy-aged lads might not normally see...

AND...playing at SMS can still a big step-up for those only used to playing for a handful of fans at Staplewood..whereas a game against L2 opposition with a 4,000 crowd is a smaller step-up, and a somewhat calmer experience than making your debut at White Hart Lane or Anfield.

 

The big problem - is (that) Academy player really good enough to chance in a Prem. game. Example: Seen quite a bit of discussion on here about Ryan Seager.

We have Stephens and Turnbull out on loan with Swindon - and getting good reviews, so what harm is there in trying out a B side for a few "one-off games" ?

 

I think it's worth more investigation and a trial at least.

Classic premier league attitude focussing on some vague notion that youngsters would somehow be improved by this idea and ignoring the impact on the lower league players and sides who would loose out massively as a result.

Classic premier league attitude focussing on some vague notion that youngsters would somehow be improved by this idea and ignoring the impact on the lower league players and sides who would loose out massively as a result.

Can't agree. Just look at the performances of teams like MK Dons, Bradford City, Preston and Sheff.Utd (ouch) in Cup competitions this season.

There's no guarantee that B teams would be better than L1/L2 sides all the time, but it gives another dimension to both sides.

Another playing experience for Prem. youngsters maybe, but also a few thousand more on the gate for a L2 club who get a Cup draw v. Man Utd or Chelsea's B side.