Three Team Groups

[Basil-Don]

I want to address the issue of three team groups as i feel the system is turning out to be a lot fairer than the old four team group system and it rewards success more than the old system.

 

The problem with the four team group system is that a team with 12 points can go out while a team with 4 points can go through, how absurd is it that a team who wins 4 out of 6 matches is eliminated while a team who hasnt won a match in 6 goes through? thats what can happen under the four team group system.

 

If this happens next season how would i feel?

 

Group 1 Group 2

Stansted 12 Witham 18

Takeley 12 Bowers 4

Basildon 12 Sawbo 4

Clapton 0 Mauritius 4

 

Lets say England and Scotland qualify for the next world cup finals,at the end of the group stages Scotland go through with 2points while England are eliminated with 6 points is that fair,of course not.the three team group must stay!!

[Barking Mad]

Basil-Don if it is good enough for the champions league I am sure the ESL cup can survive.

 

3 team groups are a joke, a disgrace and a complete act of lunacy.

 

In my opinion of course.

 

Now where is Flip Flop so he can disagree just because I support Barking!!

[FCFAN]

I with Barking Mad in that I think the 3 team groups are lunacy. However, I actualyl believe the whole idea of a group stage is lunacy, and more and more clubs are using squad players in these games. I've given up turning up for ESL Cup group games, not worth my £6.

[GAFFA1]

i havr to say i love the group stages and im very happy with how its run, just my opinion tho

[BlueManGroup]

Don't actually see the neccessity of a group stage, why not just do a straight knockout, like every other bloody cup around here, one game, finished on the night, i think you'll find stronger teams when there isn't 6 games before a knockout game!

[GAFFA1]

yeah but the problem is if you get knocked out the cups and find ur self out of all cups by september and ur strggling in the league and you will end up hardly playing and @ best once a week so im all for sticking with the format but prob making less groups with more teams.

[Barking Mad]

i like the group stages as it gives us a chance to look at the "squad" members and it benefits the team. but groups of 4 are better as a)more games and a truer reflection. Barking had one bad day at the office against mauritius and were out whereas in a 4 team group you can make amends.

[Grounhopper Mark.]

i like the group stages as it gives us a chance to look at the "squad" members and it benefits the team. but groups of 4 are better as a)more games and a truer reflection. Barking had one bad day at the office against mauritius and were out whereas in a 4 team group you can make amends.

 

At the risk of getting my bum smacked and asked to go through our club.

 

I would like to also see straight knock out, if teams get knocked out League Cup and Brasted early they could have like the Champions League do and put them in the UEFA cup, so give them another cup.

 

I feel it would benefit the league as (a) supporters will be keen to see them, as group games are less strong than your average Reserve league game. (b.) adds a compettitive edge to the game, for players, something to actually get your teeth into. (c..) Great for the league as stronger line ups and better support.

 

Now for a ticking off....

Edited November 2, 2010 by WA WTFC

[T.A.F.K.A.M 9]

As a TWO time winner of the league cup, I think its a great cup and like the set up (cos its gets us out of tuesday training) 3 team groups aren't ideal but not much choice when we have an odd number of teams, maybe teams from the olympian league should be put in the Brasted and that would make the League cup a bit different if it was a straight knockout.

[Football Man]

I've mentioned this before in response to FCFAN on another thread but, when the League has sufficient (20+) clubs, in all likelihood we will revert to the original format of the League Cup becoming a straight knock-out with clubs losing in the early rounds entering the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy (as was the initial idea of the Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy). The League Cup Group stages were introduced to ensure that a) clubs have a sufficient number of games during the season without long gaps inbetween and match officials get sufficient opportunities to referee matches (each referee has to officiate at least 10 matches to be considered for promotion).

 

To slightly correct Flip Flop's comment on another thread, Barking and Mauritius Sports were not "drawn" in a two-legged tie. They were drawn in a three team group with Grays Athletic which became a two team group when Grays withdrew from the Competition after being placed in the Ryman League by an FA Appeal Hearing. Had the FA not initially asked for Grays to be included in the League Constitution at the AGM and left us with 17 teams instead, there probably wouldn't have been three team groups this season but it was the simplest way to divvy up the 18 teams we had at the time.

[FCFAN]

I do understand the reasons Football Man and you have been gracious enough to explain them previously. I'm talking purely as a supporter I don't find those games interesting in the slightest. If the clubs and the managers and the players enjoy it then fair enough... I'm not asking you to change the format of the league cup for an occasional ground hopping supporter like me, but I'll continue to make do with the football on the tele those group stage weeks...... and only get out and about for the league cup once the knock out stages kick in.

[Basil-Don]

I do understand the reasons Football Man and you have been gracious enough to explain them previously. I'm talking purely as a supporter I don't find those games interesting in the slightest. If the clubs and the managers and the players enjoy it then fair enough... I'm not asking you to change the format of the league cup for an occasional ground hopping supporter like me, but I'll continue to make do with the football on the tele those group stage weeks...... and only get out and about for the league cup once the knock out stages kick in.

 

i think you will find since the introduction of the three team group there has not been a single 'dead' match.

[FLIP FLOP]

I've mentioned this before in response to FCFAN on another thread but, when the League has sufficient (20+) clubs, in all likelihood we will revert to the original format of the League Cup becoming a straight knock-out with clubs losing in the early rounds entering the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy (as was the initial idea of the Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy). The League Cup Group stages were introduced to ensure that a) clubs have a sufficient number of games during the season without long gaps inbetween and match officials get sufficient opportunities to referee matches (each referee has to officiate at least 10 matches to be considered for promotion).

 

To slightly correct Flip Flop's comment on another thread, Barking and Mauritius Sports were not "drawn" in a two-legged tie. They were drawn in a three team group with Grays Athletic which became a two team group when Grays withdrew from the Competition after being placed in the Ryman League by an FA Appeal Hearing. Had the FA not initially asked for Grays to be included in the League Constitution at the AGM and left us with 17 teams instead, there probably wouldn't have been three team groups this season but it was the simplest way to divvy up the 18 teams we had at the time.

 

Thanks for the explanation Football Man, as normal it shows there are two sides to any story, although i still stand by the sentiment made in that previous post. For what it's worth and not to wind anyone up I personaly think the 3 team groups have worked well and most have kept their interest by going down to the wire. If you put out a weakened team for any reason you stand a greater chance of elimination and that can only be good. The Champions league seems to lose interest as over the course of events the best two teams normally go through even after having 'bad nights'.

On a lighter note the thought of having less games just to make T A F K A M 9 train on a tuesday is also very appealing and would get my vote- can never have enough box to boxes at this stage of the season.

Edited November 5, 2010 by FLIP FLOP

[Sorry]

Is that six yard box to penalty box ???

[FLIP FLOP]

Is that six yard box to penalty box ???

 

No that's endurance training- we never push him that hard !

[FCFAN]

Richard - no dead games, but plenty of teams picking essentially reserve players. If I wanted to watch reserve football I'd go and watch the lower divisions of the Olympian league.

[Grounhopper Mark.]

I do understand the reasons Football Man and you have been gracious enough to explain them previously. I'm talking purely as a supporter I don't find those games interesting in the slightest. If the clubs and the managers and the players enjoy it then fair enough... I'm not asking you to change the format of the league cup for an occasional ground hopping supporter like me, but I'll continue to make do with the football on the tele those group stage weeks...... and only get out and about for the league cup once the knock out stages kick in.

 

 

Couldn't of put it better myself. As a supporter i have decided not to attend the group stages, but if Witham qualify for the knockout / sudden death stage then i will attend. If it doesn't clash with the Reserves of course.

[Grounhopper Mark.]

Anyone know the result of London Apsa v Southend Manor last night or was it called off as Apsa played Tuesday, nothing on mitoo or here. Anyone.?

 

Wondered if Hullbridge knocked out, if they have been. it could be a possible date for D'arcy cup available.

Edited November 5, 2010 by WA WTFC