Match Thread Doncaster Rovers Vs Bradford City EFL Trophy - Tuesday 11 Nov 2025 7.00pm

This competition needs scrapping or revamping.

Sack off the U21's and maybe bring in National League instead. I feel like it used to have Conference teams in once upon a time. Sure we played Accrington who were in the conference.

 

I think come Tuesday night I might be regretting commenting on Huddersfield's all time low crowd against Mansfield last week

 

Least it will be Doncaster's all time low rather than ours!

 

I don’t attend dead rubbers. Sorry.
And with 6000 loyalty points I’ll give this one a miss.

 

National League sides would have very little interest in entering especially the top ones as promotion is far more valuable to them, they also have their own competition against U21 teams.
If the U21 teams leave then this competition ends as it wouldn't be financially viable for clubs and the EFL which would be sad for the lower leagues as it is a good chance to give squad players games and the final is always a good occasion.
What is also worth noting is that one of the reasons the U21 clubs were voted in was because the Premier League effectively blackmailed the EFL that if they didn't allow it then the Premier League would consider lowering the solidarity payments or worse.

 

I love the EFL Trophy! Living abroad and getting very few opportunities to watch us physically live, I relish any “competitive” game of ours that I can watch

 

With us not playing at the weekend and the recent form I would like to see us play a strong side especially in CM and front 3 as I feel we need to start having a settled side to build the partnerships. Also I with the Plymouth game the week after we won't want an away game the Tuesday before that. However, I am expecting a lot of changes like in the previous games and similar to what Alexander has done in previous seasons. Doncaster do have a game on Tuesday so I'd imagine they will make a lot of changes as well.

 

There was a discussion on this a few months ago on an EFL podcast I occasionally put on. Everyone on it said it needs changing, nobody on it had a good idea how.

PL will strong arm the EFL into the U21 teams, they aren't going anywhere. Every pitch was basically a version of the Champions League thing, something like a big table for north a big table for south, everyone plays 6 random games and the top 4 from each go to the quarters.

Adding a minimum of 3 more games to a squad that already play a minimum of 51 per season could be a bit of a piss take though.

 

The only way of changing it I can see is following a similar format to the Scottish League Cup with the group stage played in pre-season but for that to happen it would mean removing the u21 teams which would cause financial issues with the main source of money being from the Premier League

 

Will the National league teams provide the majority of the £4M total prize pot like the PL teams do?

 

Alexander is serving his suspension tonight, impeccable timing

 

London isn't quite abroad yet!

 

It would be nice to see a second string out, including youngsters from the under-19s. Either Donny beats our kids and treats it like another cup final for them against the mighty Bantams, or our kids turn them over, and it's an embarrassing night for them. Or, it could be a draw!

 

The draw for the next round will be at 2:30 on Thursday. The ball numbers will be confirmed tomorrow when the final standings are confirmed.
Assuming the draw format follows the same as previous seasons to avoid teams playing each other from the same group 1st from groups A,B,C,D will play 2nd from E,F,G,H and vice versa.

1st and 2nd in E-H will be finalised tonight with no positions set yet. The options are:

• Group E: Bolton and Rotherham are already through, Bolton play Oldham tonight and have to avoid defeat in 90 minutes to top the group
• Group F: Huddersfield and Harrogate are already through, if Harrogate avoid defeat in 90 minutes against Newcastle u21s they top the group
• Group G: Port Vale and Fleetwood are already through, they play each other tonight Port Vale have to avoid defeat in 90 minutes to top the group
• Group H: In theory all of Crewe, Burton, Chesterfield and Liverpool u21s can qualify. Crewe are as good as through as group winner with a 3 point lead over 3rd and a 13 better goal difference, they play Burton who are in 2nd, the only way Burton can top the group with with a win by 4 or more. Burton have to match what Chesterfield do to qualify. Liverpool need a win and a Chesterfield whilst overturning a 5 goal swing with Burton.

https://www.efl.com/news/2025/november/11/vertu-trophy-round-of-32-draw-details/

 

With having no weekend game I can see a full strength side out depending on fitness . Please no Kelly!

 

Lots of changes from Saturday as expected with only Touray keeping his place.

 

Doncaster have changed their full 11 with 2 players starting who are currently out on loan to Gateshead and Peterborough Sports respectively

 

Let’s make the narrative that Billy Sharp is scared to play again us