The League Cup, currently the Capital One Cup, is certainly not considered one of the most prestigious trophies in the game and is usually shown disrespect by some of the bigger clubs and the media. Its history is much shorter and much less glamorous than trophies like the FA Cup and the constant changing of the name – businesses like Carling, Worthington and Littlewood have all sponsored it in the past – leads to accusations that the cup is simply for marketing purposes and isn’t a worthwhile trophy to attempt to win. In my opinion, the Capital One Cup is still an important competition for almost all the clubs and fans in the country.
Firstly, for clubs down in Leagues 1 and 2 it gives teams an opportunity to welcome Premier League big boys to their ground and dream of a glorious “giant-killing” night to give their club sometime in the spotlight. Whether the result is spectacular or dreadful, one thing that can be almost certain is that attendances will be up for these clubs as people go to their local team to see big names they have only previously seen on television. These dramatically improved attendances certainly please the club accountants as these clubs may be able to survive off this total for a good few months and who knows, if the team plays well these glory hunters may come back to watch their local team more often.
Secondly, for clubs in the top half of the Championship or lower half of the Premier League the league can become monotonous and disheartening for fans if teams are in mid-table mediocrity and struggling to change that. A good run in the League Cup can revitalise a club and their fans-giving them hope of a trophy as we have seen in recent years with Cardiff and Birmingham and their chance of success in this competition can be elevated as the bigger teams will field full strength teams in the FA Cup.
Finally, the few elite clubs in the country that feel they have bigger fish to fry should still see the Capital One Cup as a worthwhile use of time. It is fully understandable that they may not wish to field players that are crucial to League and European hopes but in the League Cup, fringe players can be kept interested in the club and fresh in case they are needed later in the season. As well as this, this is often the stepping stone for youngsters trying to make the transition from reserves to first team. They will work with the first team manager and some of the players that are currently leading the club then get to play in front of a much larger crowd then they regularly play in front of. This is a learning curve and youngsters that impress may be fast tracked into the first team or advertised to lower league clubs who will attempt to loan these players and offer them first team football.
These are the reasons why I believe Manchester City should be angry with their tame exit at the hands of Aston Villa. Players like Costel Pantilimon and Kolo Toure are unlikely to now get first team games unless they are desperately required. At the same time, youngsters like Denis Suarez and Abdul Razak will now probably return to playing reserve football week in week out and their development as footballers will be seriously stalled.
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