Simpo

Nah, they changed the rule after the group stage. Did it on the quiet though, no announcement, just sent the word out to the clubs...

I have since discovered that a directive was quietly put out to clubs after the group stage that changed things, after Sunderland in particular kicked up a fuss. So Miller is still suspended for Saturday, but is allowed to play tonight. Figured it must have been something like that, but good to know for sure!

It's stupid and confusing, but even though tonight doesn't count towards his ban, he still can't play. I fear Latics have followed the same logic you have in thinking he is allowed to play tonight. I hope I'm being a complete dunce and I'm wrong, more for the fact I'll have a better handle on the rules than our own admin staff, than getting put out of the comp though! 😉

They don't count as part of the ban, but he's still not allowed to play, as it was Serious Foul Play. See that Sunderland Chronicle article.

They've made 6 changes, and looks like a load of kids on the bench.

I'm fairly sure we've cocked up by naming Miller on the bench. As set out here: (https://www.efl.com/news/2018/september/checkatrade-trophy-disciplinary-rules-for-checkatrade-trophy/), Miller is suspended from ALL football until 3 first team matches have passed. He's only missed Maidstone and Crewe so he should not be available until after the Bury game. Sunderland made a fuss about it (see here: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/max-power-missing-tonight-yet-15111827), so maybe it's been changed since?? But I doubt it. Is there anyway of informing the staff before 7pm so Rochdale aren't awarded a walkover or whatever? Or am I wrong?

It will be, it's just what they do. They're promoting our game as a cheap family day out too, that area will be full of kiddies.

As a young boy, I thought "Joe Royle's bluenwhitearmy!" was "Joe Royle's boys are it!" for some reason.

Yes. Will become our youngest ever player if he gets on, aged 15 years, 6 months, 16 days! He couldn't travel with the rest of the team yesterday, he had to come down after he did his Maths Mock GCSE at school!

I expect it's being broadcast internationally, so keep your eyes out on Saturday. BBC2, Sunday 6pm

Yes, it's all a bit silly. https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/max-power-missing-tonight-yet-15111827

It isn't true red cards don't get you suspended for the FA Cup. It's suspensions for yellows that are only handed out for the competition they're picked up in now. This has been brought in to stop players getting a fifth yellow on purpose so they miss a cup match instead of a league game. Miller will be suspended until 3 first team games have passed. So he'll miss Maidstone, Rochdale (Can't play, but Checkatrade doesn't count as a first team game), Crewe, and Bury (Or Maidstone at home if there's a replay)

He'll miss Tuesday's game against Eastleigh. Unrelated, but they've got a really young squad I've noticed.

Apparently not. I imagine if there's enough interest they'll release it as next season's away kit. We'll have to wear it at Colchester too, possibly Bury.