EFL meeting to look at Checkatrade changes
Shrewsbury Town have provided feedback to the EFL on this season’s Checkatrade Trophy competition.Shrewsbury were put in a group with Cambridge United, Scunthorpe United and Middlesbrough Under 21s in this season’s revamped tournament.
Chief Executive Brian Caldwell believes that the competition can be successful, but admitted that changes were needed.
“The EFL have asked all clubs for feedback on this season’s competitions”, Brian told ShrewsWeb.
“Myself and Paul put together our thoughts, whether it was on the playing side or whether it was the logistical side of travelling to Middlesbrough and Scunthorpe in a regional competition.
“There were obviously a few issues and it will be interesting to see what other clubs feedback was. I think the competition does need something.
“Over the years it has never had the best reputation, but when you look at the final last weekend there were 75,000 people at Wembley, so there is room for having a competition like that.
“It’s just about trying to get the right format that suits everybody. Paul was concerned about the rule of having to play so many players from the first team from the previous Saturday.
“Obviously, if you have got injuries from the Saturday and it’s a midweek game then it means you have to play the rest of the team, which is a bit restricting at times.
“I also think there is an opportunity for some of the younger players to play in that competition without effecting them going out on loan at the same time, which is part of the development.”