Last night Sunderland were knocked out of the EFL Trophy Cup after a loss to Leicester’s U21 side. The cup tie spark a debate among Sunderland supporters regarding the importance of winning cup games.
With promotion the main goal for 2019/2020, there are many fans who feel cup competitions only distract the team from their league objectives. In their eyes, the fewer games the team play in the cup, the more energy the players will have to focus on league games.
Get out of these cups ASAP…our full focus needs to be on the league. Last seasons debacle should teach us that
— SAFC (@GaryFTM) November 5, 2019
Happy to take some steps backwards in the cup if it means forward steps in the league and transfer window.
— Hummy (@eathummous1) November 5, 2019
Get knocked out of tonight’s trophy as quick as possible.
— MB (@mbalfour15) November 5, 2019
Not at all, better out of every cup comp
— Jeffred (@jeffred3098) November 5, 2019
On the flip side, there are a few fans who feel that while the league is certainly the priority, winning cup games provides a real benefit to Phil Parkinson’s side. To them, each win adds momentum to the club’s form. They believe that a loss in the cup could have a negative impact on their next game in the league.
We needs wins and to build momentum that will take us into the league. Any kind of form that gets us transitioning defence into attack effectively enough to get our strikers firing will be what gets us promoted not losing in both cups to concentrate on the league
— Michael Docherty (@MichaelDoc1980) November 5, 2019
Very. 4 wins in the space of 10 days would be a nice bit of momentum and not to be under estimated
— Ross Robson (@rossrobson) November 5, 2019
We should be going out to win EVERY game.
Every win builds confidence.— Chris Swinton (@Keawyeds) November 5, 2019
What do we think?
It seems that fans agree on what Phil Parkinson’s priority should be this year. But it is clear that some supporters, while happy to focus on the league, are worried that the loss could carry over to their league next game. Sunderland have two more cup fixtures against Gillingham and Scunthorpe before heading Bristol in the league (safc.com).
Only time will tell before we know if the team’s cup form will impact their chances of winning in the league.