Comments on: Retirement beckons for doddery League Cup

By: Here’s a simple way to stop fixture fuming | Sports 40

Here’s a simple way to stop fixture fuming | Sports 40 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 14:17:49 +0000

[...] It might be a bold suggestion in the current economic climate - and one which the Premier League would never accept - but never mind the 39th fixture, let’s cut the top flight down to 18 teams and why not scrap the League Cup while we’re at it. [...]

By: Lozza

Lozza — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:39:17 +0000

I am afraid, Mitch, that I have to disagree with you on this one, and instead side with Joe Brock’s article on the benefits of the Carling Cup. It is of course true that the big teams take less of an interest in the Carling Cup, though not perhaps to the extent that you suggest, given that Chelsea’s team by the end of their game against Burnley included Drogba, Malouda and Lampard, but far from devaluing the competition, this in fact heightens the interest for many fans. In the first place, it provides them with the opportunity to see exciting new players, many of them English, who may well be in Arsenal and Manchester United teams of the future, (Cesc Fabregas’ career at Arsenal began in a Carling cup fixture against Rotherham). It is also a chance for managers of such teams to blood their young talent, something that is essential when injuries hit, when in high profile matches they simply cannot afford to do so. Most importantly however, the fact that the big clubs field “weaker” sides means that the carling cup is an opportunity for lesser teams. It is not as though every fan in this country is a fan of one of the “big four” and those who aren’t may be quite glad to see someone else win a competition for a change. Tottenham’s delight at winning their first major trophy for over 50 years was plain to see last season, and most of the country was enthralled by what happened in the fa cup last year, when all the big teams were knocked out by the semi finals, and the whole point is that in the carling cup, if not in the fa cup, something like that could happen again.

By: The Carling Cup is different, that’s why we love it | Soccer News Info

The Carling Cup is different, that’s why we love it | Soccer News Info — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:49:37 +0000

[...] September, Mitch Phillips argued here that the League Cup should be shuffled off into retirement. Who could argue for prolonging the life of this tired, unwanted “third competition”? [...]

By: Daily Dose: Sep 25, ‘08 | The Offside

Daily Dose: Sep 25, ‘08 | The Offside — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:01:07 +0000

[...] Pipe and slippers time for the Carling Cup? (Reuters Soccer Blog) [...]

By: Mark Meadows

Mark Meadows — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:18:43 +0000

I have to agree with you mitch, it is cleary past its sell by date if even Stoke are fielding a weakened team. However, the teams in the lower leagues who get a tidy sum in gate receipts from playing the likes of tottenham wont want to see the back of it. I assume a majority at least of the 92 clubs have to vote to axe it and to the rochdales and rotherhams, a good draw equals a bit of money to buy a new centre half.

By: Retirement beckons for doddery League Cup : Soccer News

Retirement beckons for doddery League Cup : Soccer News — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:41:34 +0000

[...] Source Share and [...]

By: des

des — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 13:07:00 +0000

I think clubs outside the beig four will continue to lose fans if they target only “survival”. how boring is it to begin each season with the hope that your team might finish mid-table and, once a decade, reach the fa cup quarter-finals? the league cup is an embarrassment and should be canned and the fa should do all it can to ensure the survival of the fa cup

By: alex

alex — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:56:42 +0000

Well, the nearly 60,000 in the Emirates yesterday will disagree with you - they saw a thrilling match and a wonderful glimpse at the future of Arsenal.

Some of the most memorable Arsenal performances in recent years were thanks to the Arsenal kids in the League Cup - the classic 6-3 destruction of Liverpool at Anfield and some classic encounter with Spurs (including, unfortunately, a humiliting 5-1 defeat at White Hart Lane - which, btw, is one of Tottenham’s few proud moments in their long-suffering recent history).

Yes, it’s a niche cup, it’s not the big stage - but as long as you have teams like the Arsenal kids in it, it’s always exciting and good value for money!

By: steve melbourne

steve melbourne — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:43:39 +0000

Sanity at last! Only took 40years. Most could see it after 1. I dont even look at the LC results and it certainly devalues the FA cup.
Good Riddance and all who sail in her

steve

By: Retirement beckons for doddery League Cup | TotalClubFootball

Retirement beckons for doddery League Cup | TotalClubFootball — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:30:21 +0000

[...] Go to Source Last 5 posts in Premier LeagueMourinho up to his old tricks at Inter Milan - September 22nd, 2008Friday afternoon question: Should Villarreal draw worry United? - September 19th, 2008Vlog on the Pitch: Scolari is a tough man to please - September 18th, 2008I love the Champions League (or at least I think I do) - September 18th, 2008Losing for your country should hurt more, shouldn’t it? - September 10th, 2008Popularity: unranked [?] Share and Enjoy: [...]