Weak, flat and pointless?

So we're down to the latest sixteen of the League Cup (I know it's sponsored by Carling, but I'm a bit of a traditionalist) and once again questions are being asked about the point of this competition.

I must admit I have mixed feelings. As much as I like football, I can't help but feel that the industry is flogging itself to death with the number of games it puts on and by the look of the team selections by managers of the top clubs, it is once again seen as an irritation or distraction from the main business of the Premier League or Euro competition.

The clubs who may face a relegation battle towards the end of the season also seem to be making "full use" of their squads as they want to wrap their few stars in cotton wool to protect them for the survival battle ahead. I wonder whether the Brummie fans would swap their League Cup success of last season for another term in the Premier League.

As someone who spends his Saturdays covering matches in the bottom three divisions though, I also know for a fact that the Cup competitions still stir the emotions and passions of players and fans alike - not to mention the directors and their bank managers.

I watched Aldershot on Saturday as they won at Bristol Rovers and then was pleased to see them beat Rochdale on Tuesday to give themselves a chance of playing one of the big boys in the next round. Some of these lads are good honest pros, journeymen who know they will never earn tens of thousands each week, represent their countries or make it into Europe without the aid of the Dover-Calais ferry. While others have plied their trade higher up the leagues, but Father Time is now against them.

But for maybe one or two, there is the opportunity to shine, impress and to let the managers in the Prem know that they are there as an option to big money foreign signings come the next transfer window.

The lower league clubs themselves could also set themselves up financially for the rest of the season with a game at Anfield or Old Trafford. Remember Orient's FA Cup run last season? Barry Hearn cited their Cup run as the reason why the east end outfit would turn a profit for the only time in all the years he had been chairman.

And years ago I saw Chelmsford play at Cheltenham in the same competition and remember the visitors' Chairman telling me that the draw and resulting replay they achieved would ensure the club could pay everyone for the rest of that season.

I don't blame the top clubs for playing weakened teams in the League Cup and of course some of the fringe players go on to be the superstars of tomorrow, but would urge fans of those clubs to turn out in force if they draw a minnow in the next round.

Watching Aldershot play Arsenal at the Emirates might not be as enticing on paper as seeing the Gunners take on Inter Milan, but your cut price League Cup ticket will go some way to supporting the smaller clubs and will benefit domestic football at all levels.

In conclusion I guess that I come down on the side of the Milk/Coca Cola/Carling/League Cup given that it does benefit the teams I watch and who make up the largest section of English football's pyramid. However, I still feel that, as an industry, football needs to ensure it doesn't reach the point where we have overkill and people start drifting away. But that's a rant for another day.