Few fans would have shed any tears about their team’s elimination from the Checkatrade Trophy this week.
Universally unpopular, the new format of the competition is unlikely to survive beyond this season.
Inviting Premier League academy teams to participate has flopped. Apart from Chelsea, the other major clubs declined the offer.
Attendances have been shocking, many games attracting no more than a few hundred fans. In one match, the away following was less than ten.
The group stages of tournaments are often tedious, and it was always likely that this competition would fail to spark the imagination.
Previously the Trophy was micro regionalised in the initial rounds. There were south east and south west groups for instance, to minimise travelling costs.
In the second phase this season, the eight regional group winners will face a runner-up from another group. Thereafter, the draw will be unrestricted, giving the potential for say a Plymouth v Carlisle tie.
Previously, the competition was regionalised all the way through, with the final at Wembley being contested by the northern and southern area winners.
When this season’s competition launched the EFL had not decided if the semi-finals would be contested over one or two legs.
Clearly a rethink is required for next season. A return to a straight knockout format on a regional basis is essential. To add interest, the inclusion of National League teams, rather than Premier League academy sides, might be more popular.
Russell Slade will have a depleted squad to pick from for Saturday’s televised game at Swindon.
Already horn of Jordan Botaka, Ademola Lookman and Josh Magennis due to international duties, Ricky Holmes is struggling with a foot injury.
Jason Pearce has also required treatment between games recently, and Lee Novak had a tight hamstring at Colchester.
Swindon are on a poor run, and it is a game that Slade would expect to win with a full squad at his disposal. The manager may have to be inventive in juggling his squad and game plan.
Charlton could look something like this:
Rudd; Solly, Bauer, Lennon, Fox; Foley, Crofts, Ulvestad, Jackson; Novak, Ajose.
Subs: Phillips, Konsa, Johnson, Chicksen, Charles-Cook, Aribo, Hanlan.
The referee will be Tim Robinson of West Sussex.
Despite the handicap of absent players, Slade will still be hopeful of picking up three points.
TAGS: Charlton Athletic