I prefer the Capital One Cup to the FA Cup
“So what? It’s only the Mickey Mouse Cup” fans regularly exclaimed to supporters of teams that had won the League Cup in the past. The first of three major domestic trophies available to the 92 teams throughout the Football League has more often than not been brushed to one side by larger clubs, with a vast majority of Premiership sides opting to focus on the league duties rather than the competition itself.
The tournament itself underwent a major redevelopment over the summer, swapping sponsorship from the Carling Cup to the Capital One Cup. It was met with apprehension initially from those associated with the game, but accepted nevertheless.
However, it has to be said that the Capital One Cup in its initial year has been a rip-roaring success. Numerous high scoring games, including the 7-5 thriller between Arsenal and Reading at the Madjeski Stadium springing to the front of everyone’s thoughts, not to mention the cliched ‘Giant Killing’ after semi-finalists Bradford City secured a penalty shoot-out victory over the Gunners at Valley Parade.
Perhaps more importantly, the competition itself doesn’t affect domestic league duties from all those involved, with games played mid-week, rather than the weekend which is the preferred proceedure of the FA Cup. It gives teams the opportunity to rest regular starters, giving supporters the chances to view the latest talents emerging from the youth academy.
Taking all of these aspects into account, and it’s far to say that the Capital One Cup has leapfrogged the FA Cup, in my opinion, as the more prestigious trophy in England, naturally coming a second to the Premiership title.
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