Shrewsbury Town’s manager Paul Hurst has expressed his dissatisfaction with the current format of the EFL Trophy after his side was eliminated following a 4-0 defeat to Birmingham City.
Losses to Fulham’s academy side and Chris Davies’ Blues have left Salop unable to progress, as both Birmingham and group leaders Walsall have already secured enough points to move forward.
The EFL Trophy, originally for League One and Two sides, has allowed academy teams from Premier League and Championship clubs to participate since 2016. This change, meant to provide young talent with senior-level experience, has been controversial, drawing criticism from many within the Football League. Hurst, speaking in his post-match interview, highlighted his frustrations with the format, which he feels undermines the competition.
Hurst told club media, “I’ve always been a big advocate of the competition… but I think it’s getting a bit silly. It’s an EFL competition with invites for the Premier League. We were forced to play a game when we didn’t want to play, which was ridiculous.” He further criticised the inclusion of academy sides, particularly when they are impacted by international duties, calling the situation “frustrating.”
Paul Hurst’s Criticism of the EFL Trophy Format
Hurst’s frustration stems from the challenges of competing against academy teams that don’t face the same scheduling pressures as League One and Two sides. He pointed out the inconsistencies, especially when Premier League academies are affected by international call-ups. “When it’s a Premier League team, they complain about that and don’t want to play the game,” he remarked, underlining the disparity between EFL clubs and academy teams.
The manager’s comments reflect a broader discontent within the Football League regarding the competition. While the inclusion of academy teams was intended to improve the development of young players, it has also led to an additional fixture burden for clubs already dealing with congested schedules. The competition has struggled to capture the attention of fans until its latter stages, a sentiment Hurst echoed, stating it is “difficult to grab the fans’ attention.”
Shrewsbury Town’s Struggles Continue
Hurst’s criticism of the EFL Trophy comes amid a challenging season for Shrewsbury Town. Salop have struggled across all competitions, with only one league victory so far against Leyton Orient. Despite advancing to the second round of the EFL Cup via penalties, the team’s overall form has been poor, and their upcoming fixture against Crawley Town will be crucial for Hurst’s future at the club.
With just one win in the league and an early exit from the EFL Trophy, the pressure is mounting on Hurst. He has openly shouldered responsibility for the team’s struggles, acknowledging that turning things around will not be easy. The upcoming match against Crawley, one of the few fixtures unaffected by the international break, feels like a must-win if Hurst is to retain his position at Shrewsbury.
Our View: Is the EFL Trophy Format Fair?
The inclusion of academy sides in the EFL Trophy has been controversial since its introduction. Fans and clubs alike, including Hurst, argue that the format dilutes the competition’s value. With academy sides often struggling to progress beyond the group stages, the argument can be made that their involvement adds little to the tournament’s competitive integrity. Last season, only one academy side reached the quarter-finals, illustrating the limited impact these teams have had.
However, there are benefits to maintaining the current format. Premier League academy players gain valuable experience playing against seasoned professionals, and it opens up opportunities for young players to showcase their talent to lower-league clubs. Brighton’s academy side, for example, saw several players go on loan to EFL clubs, with Tom McGill joining MK Dons and Jack Hinchy moving to Notts County.
For Paul Hurst, though, the format presents an unwelcome fixture in an already congested schedule, particularly for a team struggling with form. Shrewsbury’s early exit from the competition only adds to the mounting pressure on Hurst, who needs a swift turnaround in fortunes if he is to avoid further scrutiny. As Shrewsbury Town heads into their crucial clash with Crawley Town, Hurst’s future may hinge on the outcome.
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