Paul Simpson feels lower-league clubs would be powerless to stop football’s big boys making dramatic changes to cup competitions.

Reports this week suggested top Premier League clubs wanted to scrap FA Cup replays.

There was also talk of the elite outfits wanting to field Under-21 teams in the League Cup.

Such moves have been criticised by fans of clubs down the pyramid.

And while Blues boss Simpson says he would prefer things such as FA Cup replays to survive, he said the reality of the modern game is clear.

“I think it would be a shame - the finances are a lifeblood for League One and League Two teams,” he said.

“I’m sure there would be some sort of compensation put into it.

“Let’s be honest, and there’s no point us complaining about it, the Premier League, with the finances they have at their disposal, run the game. They are in charge of it.

“If the Premier League say that’s what they want and will give us more money for doing that, we’re not in a position to turn it down.

“As much as I like FA Cup replays – and I think the format of the FA Cup is an absolutely fantastic competition – unfortunately clubs at League One and Two levels rely on finances to keep us going.

“If it means scrapping an FA Cup game because we get more money which helps us develop as a club, we haven’t got much choice in the matter.

“I would like them to stay, but I probably won’t get asked what I want to do.”

Simpson has also spoken in defence of the Papa John’s Trophy, which is a controversial competition with many fans.

Some have boycotted it over the involvement of top-flight Under-21 clubs since 2016.

Simpson, though, is in favour of the format.

“I like the EFL Trophy, the Papa John’s Trophy format of it,” he said at yesterday’s press conference. “I also liked it when it was the Football League Trophy, the Auto-Windscreens Shield, whatever you want to call it.

“I think it’s really good to test yourself against top Premier League academy players, it can be a good education.

“I learned and our players learned a lot from playing against Manchester United Under-21s, when you realise the level of technical ability you have to get to in order to be playing at a higher level.

“We get money from winning on Tuesday [on penalties against Fleetwood Town]. Any way we can get money into here, I’m happy with.

“I want that to carry on. I want to get through this competition, to the next stage. The more games we win, the better that’s going to help us to develop as a club.”