Has the cup run adversely affected our league form?

[scorpioeyes]

Will the financial rewards from the cup run be of more benefit that winning promotion?

[oohaah]

Simply yes and yes, but do I care? No!

[sufc1898]

A win at Wembley over promotion 100%

[Andy K]

Mar 26, 2022 18:44:56 GMT scorpioeyes said:

Will the financial rewards from the cup run be of more benefit that winning promotion?

Yes.

As for the original question, no. Our injury list has.

[davep]

I do think that the cup run has impacted our league form. Yes - injuries have impacted our league form - but the injuries are at least in part contributed to by the number of extra games that we have played in the cup. If you take a short-term view, there is no denying that the financial rewards from the cup run have been a real bonus - but the league is the bread and butter for every club. If we miss out on a chance of promotion in part because of the cup run, will our EFL status be under threat next season (second season syndrome)? Will it make it harder to keep hold of the likes of Matt and some of our best players in the Summer? Next weekend is a nice day out in North London for some - but in terms of 'prestige', I would personally view the EFL Trophy as having similar status to the Surrey Senior Cup when we were a National League side (I'm sure that is an unpopular view that many will disagree with and won't share). Having said all of that, we're still bedding in as an EFL club/team and another season (at least) in League 2 might make it a little bit easier to establish ourselves as an EFL club/team than would be the case with the additional challenges that League 1 would bring - although if this club/team has anything, it is the ability to punch above its weight.

[pauld]

To the question: Has the cup run adversely affected our league form? I'd say probably, only in that it has given is more games to play and this is probably linked to sustaining injuries

Injuries have been key to a dip in league results. No team would have handled 10 players out

I also think the January transfer window has been a factor - some of the teams making a push since then brought in a number of new players - Bristol Rovers; Port Vale particularly. Some of these squads would do well in League 1.

All that said, still an amazing effort and what a fantastic season

[scorpioeyes]

Mar 27, 2022 6:05:52 GMT davep said:

I do think that the cup run has impacted our league form. Yes - injuries have impacted our league form - but the injuries are at least in part contributed to by the number of extra games that we have played in the cup. If you take a short-term view, there is no denying that the financial rewards from the cup run have been a real bonus - but the league is the bread and butter for every club. If we miss out on a chance of promotion in part because of the cup run, will our EFL status be under threat next season (second season syndrome)? Will it make it harder to keep hold of the likes of Matt and some of our best players in the Summer? Next weekend is a nice day out in North London for some - but in terms of 'prestige', I would personally view the EFL Trophy as having similar status to the Surrey Senior Cup when we were a National League side (I'm sure that is an unpopular view that many will disagree with and won't share). Having said all of that, we're still bedding in as an EFL club/team and another season (at least) in League 2 might make it a little bit easier to establish ourselves as an EFL club/team than would be the case with the additional challenges that League 1 would bring - although if this club/team has anything, it is the ability to punch above its weight.

100% spot-on, in my opinion. But at least EFL sounds a bit better than 'Johnstones Paint' but you're right, this is the Surrey Senior Cup , status-wise.

[Andy K]

Mar 27, 2022 9:13:49 GMT scorpioeyes said:

Mar 27, 2022 6:05:52 GMT davep said:

I do think that the cup run has impacted our league form. Yes - injuries have impacted our league form - but the injuries are at least in part contributed to by the number of extra games that we have played in the cup. If you take a short-term view, there is no denying that the financial rewards from the cup run have been a real bonus - but the league is the bread and butter for every club. If we miss out on a chance of promotion in part because of the cup run, will our EFL status be under threat next season (second season syndrome)? Will it make it harder to keep hold of the likes of Matt and some of our best players in the Summer? Next weekend is a nice day out in North London for some - but in terms of 'prestige', I would personally view the EFL Trophy as having similar status to the Surrey Senior Cup when we were a National League side (I'm sure that is an unpopular view that many will disagree with and won't share). Having said all of that, we're still bedding in as an EFL club/team and another season (at least) in League 2 might make it a little bit easier to establish ourselves as an EFL club/team than would be the case with the additional challenges that League 1 would bring - although if this club/team has anything, it is the ability to punch above its weight.

100% spot-on, in my opinion. But at least EFL sounds a bit better than 'Johnstones Paint' but you're right, this is the Surrey Senior Cup , status-wise.

So the SSC plays at Wembley? Or even Selhurst Park? And has any significant prize money (there us virtually none and I believe none prior to the semi finals) and is a national televised competition?

What utter garbage. I expect you've not bothered to get a ticket for the final, such is its low status.

[aajluck96]

Such morons on this chat comparing the EFL trophy to the SSC. If anything it is closer to the FA Trophy but a trip to Wembley is always an excellent aim to have as it gives a team confidence. The major thing we have suffered with is injuries and quite a few of them have been for players affected at other times during the season but have all just reappeared at the wrong time. Also definitely hasn't helped that the likes of Mansfield and BR have brought in some top players, (Matty Longstaff and Harry Anderson) to make the league even more challenging and putting these teams into good form after challenging early season. Personally, I think the team have done amazing and we have a real chance to cement EFL status long term then to go chasing promotion and fly to close to the sun in coming years

[Del]

I would take promotion to League 1 over a Pizza cup final any day. Yes its a nice bonus to play at Wembley but shouldn't detract that our main aim should be promotion so that we are two steps away from non league football.

[cheshire]

I persoanlly think that missing out on promotion (in our first year in the EFL) could be a blessing ...we want to firstly,establish ourselves at this level with a squad of players who can continue to compete over the coming seasons; the successes of this seaosn has massively helped in this regard. Secondly it goes without saying that everyone wants to see that the club remains in a solid financial position. Without the income, we would find life in League 2 stretching the clubs coffers. The success this season in the EFL cup has been of huge benefit to the club with the latter objective; after all Bruce and co are not short of demands on the clubs finances right now are they?
In short if 2021/22 season brings a Wembley final, a top half Leaue 2 finish and a great platform for another go next year, I for one will think that most supporters should be smiling from ear to ear...

[baboonfish]

Mar 27, 2022 12:10:50 GMT cheshire said:

I persoanlly think that missing out on promotion (in our first year in the EFL) could be a blessing ...we want to firstly,establish ourselves at this level with a squad of players who can continue to compete over the coming seasons; the successes of this seaosn has massively helped in this regard. Secondly it goes without saying that everyone wants to see that the club remains in a solid financial position. Without the income, we would find life in League 2 stretching the clubs coffers. The success this season in the EFL cup has been of huge benefit to the club with the latter objective; after all Bruce and co are not short of demands on the clubs finances right now are they?
In short if 2021/22 season brings a Wembley final, a top half Leaue 2 finish and a great platform for another go next year, I for one will think that most supporters should be smiling from ear to ear...

Absolutely. I'd take cup final over play off final this year for sure. One season getting battered in L1 without the ground infrastructure to take advantage of the bigger crowds is a recipe for double relegation. The money from the cup run is huge for us and will massively help us be competitive on and off the field next year. Once we've got the ground and facilities up to league standard, then is the time. If it happens before that then so be it, but the step up to L1 is one of the biggest in the pyramid, probably second after Champs to prem.

[simon]

Mar 27, 2022 12:10:50 GMT cheshire said:

I persoanlly think that missing out on promotion (in our first year in the EFL) could be a blessing ...we want to firstly,establish ourselves at this level with a squad of players who can continue to compete over the coming seasons; the successes of this seaosn has massively helped in this regard. Secondly it goes without saying that everyone wants to see that the club remains in a solid financial position. Without the income, we would find life in League 2 stretching the clubs coffers. The success this season in the EFL cup has been of huge benefit to the club with the latter objective; after all Bruce and co are not short of demands on the clubs finances right now are they?
In short if 2021/22 season brings a Wembley final, a top half Leaue 2 finish and a great platform for another go next year, I for one will think that most supporters should be smiling from ear to ear...

Totally agree yes a run in the playoffs would be good but again I wouldn't be too disappointed if we didn't get promoted just so we can establish ourselves.

With our budget and the necessary ground works that still need to take place for us to stay in the league of we got promoted our budget would still be lower end of league 2 in league 1. Would we survive I'd say unlikely and that could have more of an adverse affect on the Clun.

[garethl]

I’d agree promotion over final win in preference for me but either would be superb. I can’t imagine the original poster was anything but tongue in cheek comparing the Pizza Cup to the SSC!! As much as I don’t like the format it’s in the main a senior, national, professional league competition (albeit ‘complimented’ with some irrelevant non teams through bribery).

I think for me with Wembley getting there is more important than winning there (on this occasion). We are big underdogs and I’m going with little expectation in terms of walking away with the trophy. Seeing the numbers going into watch in the name of Sutton will actually be an incredible moment on its own.

The cup run has likely contributed to our injury problems given the extra games. I still think we can turn the tide in the league and come again as we (injury permitting) are getting back to full strength or close to.

[davep]

Such a shame that people who express opinions on this board that others don't agree with are called 'morons'. Personally, I have a pretty high IQ (I'm a member of MENSA) and I've been involved in football on a playing side and club operation/management side in the past at a pretty high level - although I've remained a Sutton United supporter all my life having grown up in Epsom. The comparison between the Surrey Senior Cup when we were a non-league side and the EFL Trophy today is based on the following 1) In the early matches at least, sides (including Sutton this year) tend to field understrength sides and b) the Surrey Senior Cup was the 4th most important competition we played in (after league, FA Cup and FA Trophy) and the EFL trophy is now (after the league, FA Cup and Carabao Cup). With respect to Andy K, the amount of prize money available - although very welcome - does not in itself equate to 'prestige'. I'm sure that the players are looking forward to playing at Wembley - I can't believe that anyone who has ever played football anywhere in the world wouldn't. From a spectator point of view, I perhaps don't have quite the same excitement that others appear to about the EFL Trophy Final being at Wembley - perhaps in part as I've been to Wembley many times before (including to see Sutton) - for England games, the FA Cup Final, Play off finals, the final of this trophy (Wigan v Millwall), Amateur Cup Finals, FA Trophy finals and an FA Vase final in 1975 (Epsom v Hoddesdon). I am very pleased for Bruce and Dave Farebrother though in particular that they will have an opportunity to see Sutton at Wembley under their stewardship after many years of wonderful service to the club. In answer to Andy's specific question - no - I don't have a ticket for next Sunday's final - but that has nothing to do with the prestige or otherwise of the game. I'm a lifelong Sutton fan and I will watch the team whenever I can and whatever the competition (and friendlies). I will be watching the game from home on TV - and incidentally, I was at Gander Green Lane in 2013 for our most recent Surrey Senior Cup final (sadly a 1-0 defeat to Godalming). Totally agree with every word of Pauld's post on this thread - in particular that activity during the January transfer window is likely to influence who does and doesn't go up this season. Indeed, there are always many well-informed and interesting posts on this board that I enjoy reading - even when people post views that I don't necessarily agree with. I like reading Mark Frake's post match views in particular. I also like Sarah's (Sallycat) posts which are always polite, intelligent and well-informed - what an excellent ambassador for Sutton United that young lady has been for a number of years. I'm not sure whether I will personally post on this board any more - but I'll continue to read the views of others. Fingers crossed for a Sutton victory next weekend and a strong run in the league for the rest of the season.