Comments on: Honestly, is there really any point in the Carling Cup?

By: A footballer is never safe from an autograph hunter | The Spoiler

A footballer is never safe from an autograph hunter | The Spoiler — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:14:15 +0000

[...] all the important Liverpool matches, he was finally granted a run out against Crewe in the ‘waste of time’ Worthington Cup, shortly before puncturing a [...]

By: No need to turn up early at St James’ Park tonight | The Spoiler

No need to turn up early at St James’ Park tonight | The Spoiler — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:13:29 +0000

[...] ticket for the game, many are supposedly staying away. Firstly because they, like us, think the Carling Cup is a waste of time, but, more precisely, because they still haven’t forgiven Mike Ashley for making their [...]

By: Esteban

Esteban — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:07:08 +0000

if a championship side gets humiliated by some children, the fault lies with the championship club, not with the kids.

if a div 2 team fielded a bunch of 17 year olds, and they hammered sheffield united 6-0, we’ll all be calling them heroes. but if arsenal does it, we call them disrespectful to the cup. what hypocrisy!

By: Fergus

Fergus — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 03:57:16 +0000

If Premiership big four teams have deep squads, quality youngsters and a packed schedule, there’s no reason why they “disrespect” the Carling Cup by using the full depth of their squad. What needs to change is not the way these teams field players but our perceptions over the Cup in the first place.

In fact, I believe that the FA should take this a step further and require Premiership teams to submit a fixed squad (say of 23 players) that can be used for the Carling Cup. Most top teams will inevitably fill this squad up with youngsters. This will prevents the farcical situation where youngsters take the big teams to the final only to be benched for the superstars – who barely contributed to the cup run – to have their day in the sun.

We need to change the way we see the Carling Cup, at least in relation to the richer clubs. It will always be third priority in England – fourth if you’re competing in Europe – and rightly so. Let this cup be the ground on which big clubs breed young talent and give them the competitive football that reserve games don’t give. Surely, it’s more constructive than just whining about how the cup has lost its gloss.

By: Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 15:13:48 +0000

Balls to you – my kids are better than most premier league first 11s!

Remind me, which other team won 6-0 last night? If you can find a copy of the game, I suggest you watch it, then tell me the football was anything less than top top quality.

By: Gareth

Gareth — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:35:45 +0000

The Carling Cup is great. I went to see the Arsenal game last night, and it was one of the best performances I have seen. Amazing.

The people who complain that the ‘big four’ don’t play their “star” players are the same people who complain about the state of the England team, and the big four not giving young English players a chance. well, there were 10 young British players in the Arsenal squad last night, and they were all excellent. Players such as Jack Wilshere (16), Keiron Gibbs, Mark Randall and Aaron Ramsey. And 56,000 people turned out to watch them!!

Jack Wilshere will be playing for England in a few years. Ramsey already plays for Wales.

How are young players supposed to get big game experience if teams don’t play them? How are they supposed to break through and develop?

People need to stop being ridiculous hypocrites. You can’t have it both ways.

The Carling Cup is excellent for this, and it should remain as it is.

By: Upminster Iron

Upminster Iron — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:30:56 +0000

Southend Al, are you a Shrimper? If so I thought you’d love it after your run two years ago – beating Leeds and Man United and taking Spurs to extra time.

The Carling Cup matters to me – we had a good run last year and I’m gutted we went out to Watford yesterday. Fair play league aside, it’s the best way for a mid-table club to qualify for Europe – as Spurs showed last season.

By: Scottish Ben

Scottish Ben — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 11:04:41 +0000

Yes I agree, the Carling Cup has become a total waste of time, if people like Benitez and Ferguson just want to play their kids then why should they expect thousands to turn up – fans can go watch these same players play for free every week in reserve and youth games – why should they pay £20 or so. Players earn enough money these days and should be able to play three games a week… if the big teams don’t want to play their big players then they should not even bother entering.