Is this seriously any different to the 1st round of the tin pot cup any other season though - regards attendances?

They'll dress it up by using percentages & comparing them to average attendances in those u23 games. Got a feeing though that these attendances might be more than usual for the 1st round due to inflated crowds like blunts.

While I agree there's a black hole after u21s, this is not the way to address it. The best way will be when Article 50 is triggered, the FA will then not be bound by EU freedom of movement. Squad's are too big and there are way way too many bog standard average youngsters in the Academies who will get a better football education at a grass roots club rather than their eventual ejection from these 'elite schools'.

To have these u23s invade that competition undermine the professionals in the lower leagues, however the chairmen of said clubs voted in agreement for it to happen (no doubt with a golden handshake). I wouldn't go and watch it