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?

Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 1/10/2012

We find the latest football news stories making the headlines, so you don’t have to.

Pic Courtesy of Odds Life

Sergio Aguero could have landed himself in hot water after claiming that foreign players are treated more harshly by referees in England.

When asked if he believed that match officials are more wary of giving penalties where foreign players are involved, he replied “Maybe, yes.”

"Here in England, there are almost as many foreign players as English players, and it's not right that some have a privilege that others don't." 

The Argentinian was speaking after Manchester City’s 2-1 win at Fulham, where his counterparts Carlos Tevez and Pablo Zabaleta both had penalty appeals waved away.

Meanwhile, Tottenham gaffer Andre Villas-Boas was left to reflect on “making history” following his side’s 3-2 victory at Old Trafford.

This was Spurs’ first win at the ground in 23 years, as goals from Jan Vertonghen, Gareth Bale and Clint Dempsey took the spoils in a pulsating encounter.

Villas Boas said: "We spoke about making history at half-time.

"We knew we would be under pressure. The team excelled themselves."

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert has moved quickly to dispel rumours of a row with Darren Bent.

The England striker has already been stripped of the captaincy this season, and was dropped to the bench for Sunday’s West Midlands’ derby against West Brom - although he did come on to score the equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

"I just thought for this given game this was the right team," Lambert said. "I need everybody to perform.

"I don't think Darren Bent has got anything to prove to me or the outside world, everybody knows he's a proven goalscorer," he added.

Former FA chairman Lord Triesman believes his former employers have let black players down, following their handling of the John Terry alleged racism case.

He said: "I really think as you look around the country and talk to black players, what you will find is they respect him as a player, but they really feel let down because they don't feel the line has been drawn clearly enough."

The Chelsea defender was found guilty of using racially aggravated language towards QPR man Anton Ferdinand by an independent FA hearing, resulting in a seemingly meagre punishment when compared to other footballing ‘crimes’ – a four-match ban and £220,000 fine.

Dutch midfielder Evander Sno has suffered a second heart attack on the pitch.

Sno was playing for NEC against Feyenoord when disaster struck, and he was able to walk off the pitch, although he was kept in hospital overnight for observation.

Luckily, the former Celtic man had a defibrillator fitted following his first cardiac arrest whilst playing for Ajax Reserves in 2010, and has been left fairly unscathed by the incident.

Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 24/9/2012

We find the latest football news stories making the headlines, so you don’t have to. 

Picture courtesy of Mobbly.com

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was left “bitterly disappointed” by referee Mark Halsey’s performance in his side’s 2-1 loss against rivals Manchester United.

Jonjo Shelvey was sent off for a naughty lunge at Jonny Evans, and this misery was compounded by the decision to award a penalty to the Red Devils late in the game, following a trip from Glen Johnson on Antonio Valencia.

"We could control our players' performance but what we can't control is decisions by the referee," Rodgers later said.

Defeat leaves Liverpool in the bottom three, and without a win to their name in this campaign. The Red Devils meanwhile climb ominously up to second.

Jonjo Shelvey has publicly apologised for his sending off, and also for the confrontation with Sir Alex Ferguson as he left the field of play.

The England Under-21 international was seen pointing his finger and mouthing angrily at the United boss, and had to be led down the tunnel by a police officer.

“I have apologised to Sir Alex...where I come from people don’t grass people up to get someone sent off,” Shelvey was quoted as saying.

Elsewhere yesterday, Laurent Koscielny’s late equaliser secured Arsenal a point in a classy encounter at Manchester City, Demba Ba continued his hot streak with Newcastle’s winner against old boy Chris Hughton’s Norwich, and Tottenham came from behind to beat a tidy QPR outfit at White Hart Lane.

The FA’s investigation into John Terry’s alleged racially-motivated abusing of Anton Ferdinand begins today.

Back in July the Chelsea skipper was cleared in court of a criminal inquiry into the matter, but he was charged by the FA a fortnight later.

On a seemingly related note, Terry has recently announced he is to retire from international football. He believes the FA’s decision to seek further action has made his position with the national side ‘untenable’.

Route One's Daily Football News Round-Up - 5/9/2012

Enjoy our quick round-up of the football news stories making waves across the globe.

Stoke City have taken a gamble by signing free agent Michael Owen until the end of the season.

Owen has been without a club since departing Old Trafford in the summer, and the injury-prone frontman represents something of a risk a reward signing for Tony Pulis. Keep him fit, and he’ll surely reward you with goals.

"He [Pulis] has assembled a great squad that I look forward to joining," said Owen. "I'm now looking forward to contributing as much as possible to the club, and can't wait to play in front of a great set of supporters."

According to the Sun newspaper, Manchester United made an audacious £38 million deadline day swoop for Brazilian starlet Neymar.

Sir Alex Ferguson turned to the Santos marksman after a ‘reported’ falling out with Wayne Rooney.

Meanwhile, the Red Devils are set to hand a shock debut to Olympic champion sprinter Usain Bolt.

United have a prestigious friendly with Real Madrid next summer, and Sir Alex is set to hand Bolt – known for his pace – a spot in his squad.

The Jamaican has frequently told of his love for the club, and appeared on a lap of honour around Old Trafford before their 3-2 win against Fulham back in August.

Alessandro Del Piero has apparently rejected an offer from Southampton in order to move to Sydney FC, where he will earn a reported £1.3 million a season to become the highest-paid player in A-League history.

The red card that Tom Huddlestone picked up in his Tottenham side’s draw with Norwich has been rescinded.

Huddlestone dived into a mistimed yet not malicious lunge at the Canaries’ Jonny Howson, and referee Mark Halsey had no hesitation in thrusting the dreaded red in the burly midfielder’s direction. 

After a successful appeal though, the three-match ban has been withdrawn.

Naughty Sir Bobby Charlton has claimed that England are ‘a way off’ from having any success at the next World Cup in 2014.

As part of the 1966 squad, Charlton knows what it takes to win big on the international stage. But he is playing down Roy Hodgson’s side’s chances. "They haven't got a lot of top-quality players so you must feel it is going to be difficult to win things," he said. 

"You cannot see it happening in Brazil at the next World Cup, for instance. I have to be honest and say it's a way off.” Thanks for that Bob.

Here at Route One we try to keep you abreast of all the latest football news around the globe, so keep your peepers peeled.