When we speak of the “Magic of the Cup” usually we’ll envisage the curved, dainty, engraved version of the FA CUP.
A prince or two from the royal box delivering its silvery wares to whatever grateful receiving coach or captain had slogged their path from round 3.
Commonly a “big club” will clasp its glory on the hallowed turf of Wembley.
But what of the League Cup!?
Surely with certain Klopps and Peps of this world arguing about fixture congestion it’s a key chance for minnows to sniff some unworldly success into further echelons of footballing almanacs. For my team Queens Park Rangers it’s always been a desperate watch seeing us crash and burn at hurdles like round 1 & 2. It’s not even embarrassing anymore, just a factual acceptance of supporting a floating Championship club.
But, is their a realistic chance of making a dynamic push for glory!?
As we speak there are 7 clubs outside of the Premier League who have made the final and it’s been over 11 years since such a feat has occurred. Bradford City (2013, Cardiff City (2012), Birmingham City (2001), Tranmere Rovers (2000), Middlesbrough (1998), Bolton Wanderers (1995) and Sheffield Wednesday (1991).
An interesting focus and possibly a reality that in the last decade or more an absolute fall-out of lower league clubs reaching the final has appeared. A sign of the times? A sign of the absolute monopoly of footballing talent in the UK and abroad.
I think so.
Most Premier League clubs could field a second team capable of surmounting a reasonable path to glory in the League Cup. We’ve witnessed it with the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City. Pools and Pools of talent seemingly left to wilt in the “Centres of Excellency” marked at the gates of elite English Football Clubs.
Maybe one player who sticks out in this quest for glory is a certain Djed Spence. His delightful performances for Nottingham Forest in the cup paved the way for a big money move to Tottenham, culminating in loan moves and long spells of bench warming.
Maybe, just maybe it’s all about the memories and the glory of a good cup run after all.
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