The Trophy formerly known as the Pizza Cup 2023/24

[valefan16]

The obvious solution to somebody like Diallo is use your experience and boot them back better/harder but more subtly. Suspensions only count towards this competition after all so worth the risk if they are that bad.

Lowe actually pulled out of a tackle to avoid hurting one early doors, although Diallo went into Garrity and he squared up to him and he calmed down a bit after that!

It was a strange one, when we had mostly first teamers in we were cruising but wasteful (standard Vale) but was good to see our youth side's attack get minutes, Rhys Walters looks a real player, had man of the match in all the games he's played this season in the cup's, monster of a midfielder for 18 and the lad who debuted up front was lively.

First time we've dropped points against a B Team, good for Leutwiller to save three pens just like the Ripper!

 

[valefan16]

Yeah there is a big difference between physical and downright dirty. Surprised you risked Wilson though, as was I when we played Rossiter, as they both have long injury records.
I was impressed with West ham U21's , who played the right way and were a decent team (hope we make some enquiries for loans in the future), but all the others have just been shooting practice.

We had only a youth striker (who ended up playing an hour) available as Uche isn't ready, Loft is injured and Thomas is with Wales U21's.

 

[Laker]

Our game at Swindon next month might set a record for lowest ever crowd. Both teams out and likely to play kids

I’ve been fully impressed with Exeter’s commitment to throwing this competition’s reputation into chaos. It’s been a fantastic effort and I wish Bonner would do the same with us.

 

[Luke Imp]

Home to Notts County tomorrow. I think we've got to equal or better Wolves U21's at Derby, and that includes a winning score line because there's only a goal between the GD's.

Not sure what we'll do selection wise. We've been rolling out similar XI's for the last few weeks now and some are looking like they need a clear week.

 

[kieran_vale]

Wrexham away tomorrow, winner gets a home tie in the next round for what it’s worth. Under no circumstances with our ongoing injury crisis should we risk any first team squad member outside of maybe Conlon. Other than that name the youth team / kiosk staff / turnstile operators and be what may.

 

[Si Robin]

West Ham u21s for our final appearance in this season's tournament - honestly couldn't give less of a shit

 

[valefan16]

Wrexham away tomorrow, winner gets a home tie in the next round for what it’s worth. Under no circumstances with our ongoing injury crisis should we risk any first team squad member outside of maybe Conlon. Other than that name the youth team / kiosk staff / turnstile operators and be what may.

Could get a right battering but won’t make a difference being away in the next round is probably better for us at the minute!

Smith probably plays not sure who with mind, would be mental to risk Cass or Debrah with Saturday in mind. Issue is none of the kids coming through are centre halves are they? Shorrock can but think he’s suspended!

Possibly a debut for the American lad we signed last week, may as well, McDermott possibly comes in for this, Walters, can’t really risk Planty or Sang as need them as our only wing back cover.

They get around 8000 for these games so imagine a tough night for a very youthful Vale side.

Smudge, Conlon, Massey, Thomas, Loft probably the only regulars you’d play in this one, maybe Chislett as he’s not had much game time with the clicking of Devine.

Id probably go

Leutweiller

Massey
Smith
Youth centre half
Youth left back

Walters
Conlon
Gbadhian (spelling probably wrong)

Thomas
Loft
Chislett

Could throw Conlon at left back I guess and bring Buer or Brazier into the middle.

 

[thewwfc]

We have AFCW at home (although not till next week).

As we’re already through to the next round, it’s nailed on that we’ll throw in as many dev squad players as we can get away with.

If they still let you get away with playing your players who have gone off on loan elsewhere, we’ll probably do that too.

Could be a record low gate though.

 

[E10rifle]

Pompey have sold nearly 1,000 for their game at ours tomorrow. They’ll possibly outnumber us, but either way it’s going to be an absolute disgrace of an attendance.

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Pompey have sold nearly 1,000 for their game at ours tomorrow. They’ll possibly outnumber us, but either way it’s going to be an absolute disgrace of an attendance.

Poor from Pompey. Surely they have been in the bottom 2 divisions long enough to know better?

 

[Bartonyellow]

Pompey have sold nearly 1,000 for their game at ours tomorrow. They’ll possibly outnumber us, but either way it’s going to be an absolute disgrace of an attendance.

It’s not a disgrace. The completion is now a disgrace.
And the fact they are bringing 1000 is a disgrace. The whole thing needs boycotting.

 

[kieran_vale]

Could get a right battering but won’t make a difference being away in the next round is probably better for us at the minute!

Smith probably plays not sure who with mind, would be mental to risk Cass or Debrah with Saturday in mind. Issue is none of the kids coming through are centre halves are they? Shorrock can but think he’s suspended!

Possibly a debut for the American lad we signed last week, may as well, McDermott possibly comes in for this, Walters, can’t really risk Planty or Sang as need them as our only wing back cover.

They get around 8000 for these games so imagine a tough night for a very youthful Vale side.

Smudge, Conlon, Massey, Thomas, Loft probably the only regulars you’d play in this one, maybe Chislett as he’s not had much game time with the clicking of Devine.

Id probably go

Leutweiller

Massey
Smith
Youth centre half
Youth left back

Walters
Conlon
Gbadhian (spelling probably wrong)

Thomas
Loft
Chislett

Could throw Conlon at left back I guess and bring Buer or Brazier into the middle.

Move Conlon to left back and given Tommy McDermott seems to be doing very little on loan at Rochdale give him a go in the middle (and recall him properly at the same time as that loan for whatever reason isn’t doing what we were hoping). Don’t risk Chislett or Thomas and have Ben Lomax from the academy at RB with Massey pushed up top alongside DiPepa. The only reason I’d include Loft is his fitness level is absolutely awful so needs all the minutes he can get.

 

[Bar Carousel]

Poor from Pompey. Surely they have been in the bottom 2 divisions long enough to know better?

I'm seeing a lot of ours are going to either tick off a new ground (for those who have never managed to get a ticket for a league game), and those just keeping up loyalty points to secure future away tickets.

Of course there will naturally be those that just want their football fix, but depressing numbers regardless.

 

[coronakopite]

I’ve been fully impressed with Exeter’s commitment to throwing this competition’s reputation into chaos. It’s been a fantastic effort and I wish Bonner would do the same with us.

Wish fulfilled tonight.

My mate has to go as he's on the mic but I'd expect away "fans" to outnumber home for this one.

I might have been tempted to keep up with Barrow Reserves progress against Liverpool kids but the draw of Ely v Histon in the Cambs Cup is too great. A chance to visit their new ground and bar was too tempting.

 

[kieran_vale]

Glad to see Crosby agrees with my suggestion of playing young Ben Lomax from our academy. Not so pleased he’s risking Debrah and Chislett for this game so just hope they get through unscathed. If anything happens to them before Lincoln then I don’t want to hear anyone bemoaning luck with injuries as this would be completely self inflicted.

 

[kieran_vale]

Obviously it’s two reserve teams on show but Vale put on a clinic in that half. Rhys Walters is absolutely head and shoulders the best on the pitch.

 

[valefan16]

Obviously it’s two reserve teams on show but Vale put on a clinic in that half. Rhys Walters is absolutely head and shoulders the best on the pitch.

He’s going to be some player isn’t he. If it wasn’t for Arblaster, Ojo and Devine he’d have a case for starting games in the league based on what I’ve seen in the other cup games. Gets man of the match whenever he plays. Need to tie him down asap like Plant.

 

[YEO YEO YEO]

Surprisingly easy win against Notts County, assuming they weren't at full strength.

 

[Robie]

Well we’ve proven there will be no hangover from Liam Manning leaving by handing out a five nil tonking to Chelsea

…U21’s

 

[valefan16]

Lost 2-1 to Wrexham they threw on Mullin and McLean to win it late on whilst we ended the game with 9 academy graduates on the pitch (including Smudge who came though a few years back!

 

[kieran_vale]

Wrexham quite disgracefully giving this competition more credibility than it deserves by bringing on the likes of Mullin and McClean but our academy lads will take a lot from the experience.

Walters and Lomax look two really good players coming through, see what the next stage of their development is whether it’s a loan etc. Loft still looks ridiculously off the pace, not sure what they had him doing at Rovers but you can see a massive gap between him and the rest of the team in sharpness.

 

[valefan16]

Wrexham quite disgracefully giving this competition more credibility than it deserves by bringing on the likes of Mullin and McClean but our academy lads will take a lot from the experience.

Walters and Lomax look two really good players coming through, see what the next stage of their development is whether it’s a loan etc. Loft still looks ridiculously off the pace, not sure what they had him doing at Rovers but you can see a massive gap between him and the rest of the team in sharpness.

We won’t talk about the attendance both home and away which was a disgrace

 

[The Terminator]

Lost 2-1 to Portsmouth who played 70mins with ten men after Raggett was sent off for denying a goalscoring oppotunity.

We wasn't great and Portsmouth deserved the win, they played well with ten men, having said that most of their backup players who started would make our starting XI. Our subs made us weaker as we had one eye on the weekend.

We had as usual numerous chances and openings but didn't take them or the final ball wasn't good enough. Portsmouth had 3 clear chances all game and took both their goals well, I'd be suprised if they don't get promoted or close to the final again in this their squad looked strong, hungry and ahead of ours by a distance.

Out again in this and no one will care and for the best as our squad is getting stretched a bit.

 

[Pompeyblueboy]

It’s not a disgrace. The completion is now a disgrace.
And the fact they are bringing 1000 is a disgrace. The whole thing needs boycotting.

How the fk is it a disgrace going to watch your team play

 

[BRFC_Gas]

Wrexham quite disgracefully giving this competition more credibility than it deserves by bringing on the likes of Mullin and McClean but our academy lads will take a lot from the experience.

Walters and Lomax look two really good players coming through, see what the next stage of their development is whether it’s a loan etc. Loft still looks ridiculously off the pace, not sure what they had him doing at Rovers but you can see a massive gap between him and the rest of the team in sharpness.

Loft had a gruelling 'Barton' pre season in Portugal but didn't get many minutes on the pitch. You have had him long enough to sort his fitness though surely? He is one of those players that 'looks the part' yet that's as close as he gets to being a decent L1 striker

 

[Don Tonberry]

How the fk is it a disgrace going to watch your team play

The competition is a joke and is being used as a vehicle to try and get Premier League B Teams into the Football League. It has to be boycotted.

 

[valefan16]

Loft had a gruelling 'Barton' pre season in Portugal but didn't get many minutes on the pitch. You have had him long enough to sort his fitness though surely? He is one of those players that 'looks the part' yet that's as close as he gets to being a decent L1 striker

Uche had no pre season but seems to be further ahead fitness wise than Loft at the moment. As it stands he’s going to surely be behind Uche and hasn’t done enough to suggest he should get on ahead of Josh Thomas.

He doesn’t look fully fit at all and devoid of any confidence, needs a goal.

 

[valefan16]

The Wrexham contingent on here seem quite decent but seems to be a large proportion who haven't got the memo, possibly the bandwagon climbers!

Huge crowd for this and they seem quite excited about Mullin and Mclean coming on to save them against our 16/17/18 year olds, their commentary team even referred to it as "another giant killing" The Micheal Owen smashing goals in against that 12 year old keeper and going nuts gif has been dug out a bit on the socials!

Must be confusing for those fans when they go away in this competition and the home ends are empty.

That said seem to be a decent section from their fan base, they are loving Rhys Walters (what a ball to create the goal!) £4 million and a decent sell on please!

 

[Si Robin]

One benefit to our fringe players being battered 4-0 by West Ham kids last night - at least 9 players will never wear a Cheltenham shirt again.

 

[denzel ecfc]

One benefit to our fringe players being battered 4-0 by West Ham kids last night - at least 9 players will never wear a Cheltenham shirt again.

Only 4 nil? Amateurs