I know we all love to win, but is the result the most important thing in this competion? I would suggest that two of the more important things, are giving the younger players the chance to play in a more competitive environment, and simply giving the odd under used first team player much needed...
Well if two or three first team squad players are coming back from injury, or badly need game time, then surely their needs must take priority. The bulk of the side will consist of under 21 players anyway.
A complete disaster? Not by me it wasn't. I think it's great to give the younger players, and the fringe first teamers, the chance of playing in a cometitive tournament, against in many cases, ,lower division sides first teams.