Tonight sees the return of the Capital One Cup, with the
remaining teams licking their lips in anticipation at a lengthy and hopefully
successful cup run.
But there remains an attitude amongst many observers that
the League Cup (as it used to be known) is an unwanted distraction for many,
and that the plus sides of progressing or even winning it are outweighed by the
negative impacts upon the club’s league fortunes.
As we know, the winner of the Capital One Cup will qualify
for a spot in next season’s Europa League, so of course there is something worthwhile
to be achieved at the end of the day. But the toil of getting through seven
rounds to eventually lift the trophy can have a gruelling effect on a squad of
players, as injuries and fitness problems can be an unfortunate side-effect.
Who can forget Birmingham City’s soiree into Europe for
example. They beat Arsenal in the League Cup final back in 2011, thanks to
goals from Obafemi Martins (remember him?) and Nikola Zigic. The only
unfortunate upshot of that is that they would also be relegated from the
Premier League that very campaign.
Now, playing in Europe affords players, management and fans
the opportunity to experience the thrill of playing some massive sides from
across the continent, a luxury usually confined to the best – say – seven clubs.
So the question remains: would Birmingham fans swap their
trips to Braga, Maribor and Club Brugge to be playing top flight football every
week?
This is perhaps why the bigger clubs take the opportunity to
field fringe players and young prospects in the competition. It gives these
guys a chance to get some game-time in their legs, and an opportunity to
impress their manager. Perhaps this makes them hungrier for success?
At the time of writing, Chelsea, Man United, Tottenham,
Arsenal et al all remain in the mix. What kind of team they play in their
respective games remains to be seen, but for Spurs and the Gunners, perhaps
this remains their most likely path for silverware.
And let’s not forget the ‘magic’ of the cup: League Two
Bradford City travel to Premiership Wigan, whilst League One side Swindon host
Aston Villa. Perhaps two giant-killings in the offing? Either way, nights like
these are few and far between for the lower league sides.
So the jury remains out on the importance (or not) of the
Capital One Cup. Still, it means more football to watch on telly in midweek –
and that can’t be a bad thing, can it?