Welcome, Blackpool fans, to the wonderful world of the Checkatrade Trophy, a competition that not only gets in the way of League action due to it extensive group stage, but has specific rules and regulations that tire out every squad that should enter it. For what has been a stressful week for Blackpool, having missed out on the 3 points both against Accrington Stanley and then against Walsall, albeit bossing the games, this cumbersome competition has to be the last thing that Terry McPhillips will have wanted going into what could be the week that he is announced Blackpool manager. It wasn't all bad though for Blackpool last week, as those positive performances did at least yield something, with Blackpool reaching the 3rd round of the League cup for the first time since 2009.
Blackpool travel to Cheshire to face a Macclesfield side who will probably be just as uninspired as the Seasiders with the Silkmen most probably concentrating on the sustainment of their League Two status, having yet to record a win and currently sitting in 23nd position. McPhillips will have to try to avoid an embarrassing defeat here whilst trying to sustain fitness throughout the squad; a tough task but one he is more than capable of completing.
Competition rules and regulations:
Source: https://www.premierleague.com/news/60510
Academy teams must start at least six players aged 21 or under as at 30 June 2018
Those teams can only include two players over the age of 21 who have made 40 or more senior appearances prior to 2018/19
The 16 Academy teams and 48 League One and League Two clubs taking part will be split into 16 groups of four
Academy sides will play all group matches away from home
Clubs will be awarded three points for a win and one point for a draw, but in the event of a draw after 90 minutes, a penalty shootout will be played for an additional point
The top two teams qualify for the knockout rounds, which are regionalised until the quarter-finals
All knockout rounds up to the final are one-off matches decided by penalties if they’re level after 90 minutes
The final will go to extra-time and possibly penalties if level after 90 minutes
Sources On Macclesfield Town:
Club Website:https://www.mtfc.co.uk/
Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macclesfield_Town_F.C.
Squad: http://www.worldfootball.com/t/385/england/macclesfield-town-fc
Stats: https://footystats.org/clubs/england/macclesfield-town-fc
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thesilkmen
Last Meeting: (friendly)
Predicted Score: 0-2
Buy Tickets Here: https://www.mtfcdirect.co.uk/
UTP
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