Next season

[LSArab]

I actually really enjoy the league cup games albeit would rather be in Europe

Much better games to get up to speed than friendlies

I?m not really a fan of friendlies

The league cup section also allows some matches against local teams and lower league grounds to visit etc

The format is good and creates a bit of interest in July

[TerryTheTerror]

I don't mind them, for me it's been a good thing to introduce, was what the league cup originally was when it started in 1946, was always group stages for years, only stopped maybe late 70s or early 80s, then maybe changed to try leg ties before becoming Scottish Cup light for awhile until ten years ago when they changed to this format

Would rather we missed them due to being in Europe but still decent games to have and it can propel you into the league season if you play it right, see Hearts this year (extreme example right enough)

I doubt the league cup games back in the day happened in July though.

Just checked the Arab Archive for season 71/72 and we were in a group with Hibs, Kilmarnock, & Motherwell. The group matches started in mid August (14th Killie at home).

The issue folk have now is the timing of the early games. It's a real leveler between the teams and the bigger clubs, understandably, treat them as pre-season.

[Yeats 62]

Yeah, played far too early. I know it's not the same, but still get gutted when we go out, remembering the times when we won it TWICE. It did have more value then. Sad though, that the third best rated trophy in Scottish futba, has now turned in to a friendly competition. (until yi get to the semis)

[JamesMcClean]

Seeing as the teams involved in Europe are playing in the midweeks through Aug anyway, I don’t know why they can’t be played in the early midweeks of the season so that by the time the European teams are available (mostly out!), then the early games have still been played so the tournament can continue on the same schedule. Even better for me would be to ditch the league set up entirely and make rounds 1 and 2 a straight draw like the Scottish Cup. And again have that in the midweeks of Aug. This group stage nonsense starting in July frankly is farcical.

[Arabs4ever]

This group stage nonsense starting in July frankly is farcical.[/QUOTE]

That though is the SFA for you. The Academy setup being regarded as "elite" is a box ticking exercise which is just the SFA trying to say look how good we are. They themselves need a think tank on that as they are bunch of useless chunts imo. Years ago United had a good youth system but someone thought we could make all clubs have this and in the end the youth coming through is nothing like before because it doesn't allow s-forms who actually played football.

[GUNBOAT]

This group stage nonsense starting in July frankly is farcical.

I know the SFA deserve the blame for everything including the price of oil but its hard to blame them for dates of a trophy called The LEAGUE Cup.

[Arabdownsouth]

I know the SFA deserve the blame for everything including the price of oil but its hard to blame them for dates of a trophy called The LEAGUE Cup.

I blame Trump tbh 😋