One Man’s Junk is Another Man’s Treasure: The Capital One Cup

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?