Bolton manager issues damning statement on B Teams in the EFL Trophy

Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt wins praise as he issues a damning statement on B Teams being allowed the play in the EFL Trophy.

The 39 year old former footballer admits he doesn’t like the idea of Premier League academies or B teams playing in EFL competitions while admitting his Trotters side will be aiming to pick up three points against Liverpool’s under-21s on Tuesday.

His side return to the University of Bolton Stadium to take on the Anfield outfit’s youngsters following a win over the weekend against Shrewsbury Town in League One.

Evatt’s men are hoping to advance through to the next round of the competition with a victory over the Merseysiders, having beaten Port Vale 3-2 in their opening game at the end of August.

A win would put Bolton on six points in their group, which also includes Rochdale, and would see them qualify for the next round with a game left to play out.

Category One Premier League academy sides have been allowed to compete in the competition since the 2016/17 campaign, and it’s been under scrutiny ever since with a huge boycott from fans punishing the attendance numbers throughout the years.

Earlier in 2021, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola suggested that his club’s under-23s outfit should be allowed to play in either the Championship or League One.

It was an idea that was widely opposed in the EFL, and it included several managers along with Ian Evatt, who made no secret about his admiration for the City boss.

Although Evatt concedes it might be better for their development, he believes that young Premier League academy players must continue to play in a reserve model and are not ready to compete regularly against men’s teams.

He said: “I’m not a fan. We’ve had this debate recently and even Pep said it, and I don’t agree with everything he does and says, about having B teams in the Football League – no is the answer.

“Even though it’s probably good for their development, you’ve seen with the success that they’ve had in the competition, they’re not ready to play in competitive fixtures against men’s teams on a regular basis.

“I think it should be kept to competitive reserve team football and an under-23 model. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that at the moment.

“We have to remember a large percentage of these lads won’t ever get into Liverpool, Man City’s, Man United’s first team and they’ll have to go and ply their trade elsewhere.

“I guess it’s a good opportunity for them to be in the shop window for potential suitors for the future. But at the moment they’re still harbouring dreams of getting in their first teams there.

“Even though obviously we will make changes, we still want to win every game we play.

“We’re professionals, that’s what professionals do, and you should never turn down a chance to play at Wembley.

“I did it many times, loved it, and you remember it for the rest of your life, so we’ll have to make sure we’re at it, do what we can to prevent them playing the way they play and then all our lads are coached the same way, so they should know automatically how we want to play and what we’re trying to do and implement our game plan on them.”

Fans reacted as the Bolton manager issues a damning statement on B Teams in the EFL Trophy, see what they said below…

@ForeverAYellow: Glad to see one manager finally criticise B Teams being in this competition, it’s about time they were got rid of, play in leagues for reserves. Feels like just another power status for Prem clubs over the EFL lower league sides again, that fact that EFL clubs can actually get punished as well for playing a stronger side over them is just harsh too

@SBBWFC: I agree with him. But the additional prize money comes from the Premier League being allowed to enter their U21 teams and that’s why the EFL agreed to the idea in the first place. The whole thing needs looking at. But it’s all about money and every club needs it right now.

Craig Barnes: Totally agree with Ian Evatt on this. Having u21 teams has devalued the competition. This competition used to be popular back in the days when it was the Freight Rover,Sherpa Van and Autoglass. In truth, no one cares about it now,unless you get to the final, and that’s because u21 PL teams are in it. If they want to spice this competition up, kick out the u21 teams,and add lower league Scottish, Welsh and Irish sides instead. I’d quite fancy Falkirk or Linfield, or Connahs Quay Nomads away.

Terence Galway: Well said I’m a diehard who rarely miss but watching our second team play Liverpool kids I ain’t interested if I’m honest definitely devalued the competition playing Liverpool kids if we were playing a Scottish club away tonight I would of been going

Laura Scofield: Im going – starting to regret it now ha ha

Jimi Calves Bailey: It’s stupid putting kids teams in.

Sean Wallace: Thank god we’ve got a manager like Evatt, credit to him for criticising the use of B Teams, get it back to how it used to be!

Peter Riley: B Team Boycott, simple as that. I’m not going to any games where my team are against these youngsters.

Emma Atkins: I can’t wait to see the day a match gets below 100 fans in attendance, make it happen, would be a new low for the integrity of the competition

Daniel Knight: The tournament has gone to shite. Well done Evatt for calling it out