By Tom Ryan

The English Football League recently introduced a new format, which allows the introduction of U23 teams from the Premier League and Championship. This has opened the EFL up to criticism from the fans of the original participants.

The fans have demonstrated their frustration by boycotting these tournament games. Which especially can be seen in the final group games, where 16 of the 24 matches failed to attract over 1000 spectators. The lowest being Middlesbrough versus Shrewsbury, with an attendance of only 308.

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The Premier League clubs have given support for the change however, saying they would participate next year, as they have seen the advantages of their youth team playing against the first teams of the Football League.

Both fans and teams have joined together in their criticism of another new rule, which involves, in their view of a meaningless penalty shootout. When a game ends in a draw, instead of the game ending and the teams just receiving a point. The teams need to go through a penalty shootout to be awarded a bonus point. The fans and teams point of view was apparent when Northampton played West Ham, both teams has been eliminated but still had to proceed in completing the penalty shootout.

The fans initial concern over the U23 teams being included was that they would dominate the tournament. As the tournament progressed these concerns were less warranted, with only half of the 16 teams entered advantaging to the knockout stage, with only four topping their group. Of the eight knocked out of the tournament, six finished bottom.

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