Peterborough United chairman places more importance on the EFL Trophy than the FA Cup
Peterborough United chairman Darragh MacAnthony believes next week’s Vertu Trophy clash with Walsall is more important than the Thursday night FA Cup tie with Everton.
Posh are at Goodison Park tonight for a third round match against Premier League opposition before the Saddlers pitch up at the Weston Homes Stadium for a last-16 Trophy game next Tuesday (January 14, 7.45pm).
Walsall are currently 10 points clear at the top of League Two having won their last seven matches. Posh are the holders of the EFL Trophy and the competition now offers the only hope of tangible success this season.
"If it was down to me I’d play the youth team at Everton!” MacAnthony said. “The game with Walsall is far more important. I just want to see us get back to winning ways again and that is unlikely to happen at Everton.”
BIG CROWD
The tie at Everton is a sellout despite the switch to a Thursday night kick off to accommodate a live screening on BBC iPlayer. The capacity at Goodison Park is 39,572. Their new ‘Everton Stadium’ which is due to open for next season will hold 52,888.
If a capacity attendance is announced tonight it would be the ninth biggest crowd to watch Posh in an FA Cup match. The record is 64,531 for a game at Aston Villa in 1961. It would be the 12th highest crowd to watch Posh in any game behind those eight FA Cup matches, a play-off final at Old Trafford, last season’s EFL Trophy Final at Wembley and a Championship fixture at Newcastle United.
MATCH DETAILS
The tie at Everton will be played to a finish with extra time and penalties available if required. The FA scrapped replays this season to appease Premier League clubs. VAR will not be in operation at Goodison Park. Referee Thomas Bramall will lead an all Premier League set of officials who will have to make their own decisions.
It’s the first time Posh will have played at Goodison Park.