Blackburn manager Steve Kean admitted he had "forfeited" their Carling Cup quarter-final against Cardiff ahead of crucial league games.
Kean's side are bottom of the Premier League and after his side's 2-0 defeat he said: "We are in a position where we have forfeited going through and having the chance to reach a cup final.
"We have games against sides within touching distance of us in the league.
"We need to treat those games as cup finals."
Not a great deal anymore. Far too many teams are 'sacrificing' their Carling Cup chances for league/Champs League/Fa Cup/Can't be bothered with it.
Time to kill it off and save everyone the effort??
Winning breeds winning though doesn't it? See where he's coming from in a way but I'm betting there's a lot of Rovers fans wouldn't have minded a semi-final and possibly a final - whether or not they stay up, the second half of their season is going to be no fun at all.
I think it's good for what it is.
An opportunity for the bigger clubs to use squad players and kids and just possibly a shot at a Wembley final and European football.
Quote from: TonyGilroy on November 30, 2011, 11:45:01 AM
I think it's good for what it is.
An opportunity for the bigger clubs to use squad players and kids and just possibly a shot at a Wembley final and European football.
It's an opportunity for all size clubs to use squad players - of whom we seem to have plenty at the moment scarcely getting a game.
Even if it's a 4th-tier competition, the possibility of a cup final is not to be sniffed at, especially if you haven't been to one for years.
I saw an interesting suggestion the other day - have a rule that if a team is involved in European competition, they must field 6 u21 players in each game they participate in. This would allow for youth to play, ease the schedule on older players, give managers an excuse to field a reserve team and make it more likely that a 'lesser' team could make it all the way to the final/win the whole thing.
Quote from: Pata on November 30, 2011, 11:53:20 AM
Even if it's a 4th-tier competition, the possibility of a cup final is not to be sniffed at, especially if you haven't been to one for years.
Like Liverpool?
Quote from: AlFayedsChequebook on November 30, 2011, 12:15:06 PM
I saw an interesting suggestion the other day - have a rule that if a team is involved in European competition, they must field 6 u21 players in each game they participate in. This would allow for youth to play, ease the schedule on older players, give managers an excuse to field a reserve team and make it more likely that a 'lesser' team could make it all the way to the final/win the whole thing.
I'm not a big fan of Wenger but to be fair, he always does this doesn't he? I'm not sure if he fields 6 U21s but he always plays the youngsters, even at semi and final stage.
Quote from: ClarksOriginal on November 30, 2011, 12:18:04 PM
Quote from: Pata on November 30, 2011, 11:53:20 AM
Even if it's a 4th-tier competition, the possibility of a cup final is not to be sniffed at, especially if you haven't been to one for years.
Like Liverpool?
Genuine laugh out loud!
Yes, Liverpool.
I wanted the match @ SB last night taken seriously and was made up that it was - cracking night and just a step away from Wembley now.
Presumably, if Jol did a Keen in the same position, Fulham fans won't be particularly happy?
*did a KeAn
I quite like the Carling Cup because it does offer a route into Europe for the teams that wouldn't always make it (Take Birmingham for example). Even if one of the top 4 win it does free up a European place 7th place for the Europa as we know well.
This cup should be played only by the first team reserves and that is it or not have it at all, other countries have only one cup and that is it
France has 2.
Trophee des Champions? Took the Super Cup equivalent as a given.
Quote from: Pata on November 30, 2011, 04:29:59 PM
Trophee des Champions? Took the Super Cup equivalent as a given.
It is still classed as a domestic cup by the French FA and UEFA.
It gives Mark Hughes employment Midweek on Sky.
Yes France has 2 or 3 but that is to many only one cup is needed and that is it there
Ask the Palace fans and I'm sure they will all be pretty positive about it.
For the "big" clubs in the premiership it is a chance to blood in some second string players.
For struggling clubs in the prem it is a distraction.
For others it should be seen as a great opportunity for a day out at Wembley.
Liverpool V City
Palace V Cardiff
Championship team in the final, hopefully Cardiff! Result!
What's the point of any cup? What's the point of the Premier League? What's the point of football?
Beats me, but it's more fun than I'm a Celebrity.
'Palace V Cardiff'
Still think you did the right thing Kean?
have we become such a european super force that we can turn our noses up at a domestic cup and one of the only things we can only ever really dream of winning. next season when we just have league games and no europe we will all be dieing for a good run in this cup
Quote from: fulhamben on December 01, 2011, 10:36:35 AM
have we become such a european super force that we can turn our noses up at a domestic cup and one of the only things we can only ever really dream of winning. next season when we just have league games and no europe we will all be dieing for a good run in this cup
Well said. Obviously you hope Fulham will some day (this season?) win, say, the FA cup, but winning the Carling Cup would be no mean feat.
Quote from: fulhamben on December 01, 2011, 10:36:35 AM
have we become such a european super force that we can turn our noses up at a domestic cup and one of the only things we can only ever really dream of winning. next season when we just have league games and no europe we will all be dieing for a good run in this cup
Well said.
I was too young to see us at Wembley in '75.
And whilst I went to Hamburg, I still want to see the whites at Wembley.
Quote from: CorkedHat on November 30, 2011, 11:37:34 AM
Blackburn manager Steve Kean admitted he had "forfeited" their Carling Cup quarter-final against Cardiff ahead of crucial league games.
Kean's side are bottom of the Premier League and after his side's 2-0 defeat he said: "We are in a position where we have forfeited going through and having the chance to reach a cup final.
"We have games against sides within touching distance of us in the league.
"We need to treat those games as cup finals."
not sure but i was under the impression that Keane has denied this, i was busy last night but i thought i heard something last night on sky news.