The under-rated League Cup

I can understand the hype that surrounds the FA Cup but for years I've been left wondering why the same hype is never generated around the League Cup. Maybe it occurs too early in the season for most people to give a damn.

Premiership clubs see it as a hindrence and they basically toss it off until they realise that their reserve squad has got them to a late stage. This progression comes to them almost as a nice surprise, and only then do they start show an interest and become serious about it.

I can't help but feel that lower league clubs who pull off a cup shock never get the recognition they deserve, mainly because the 'big' team they beat didn't play their strongest eleven. A lot has been said about high-profile managers devaluing the competition, but that is a decision ultimately up to them. When I saw Peterborough had beaten Southampton last night, that's all I saw; I didn't bother to find out whether the Saints played a reserve side. It looks like they were beaten by a League 2 side and must therefore face the consequences.

If I was a manager (and I am, as all football fans think they are) then I'd want to avoid those embarrassments, and I would do that by trying to win every single game. This is quickly leading me on to squad rotation theory and 'resting' players, so as to avoid a massive rant on that front I shall return my attention to the League Cup first round.

It goes without saying that I would like to see Macclesfield triumph over cheating Leeds United.

Other than that, it's difficult to pick out any potential upsets. I find it ironic that a small team beating a big team is called an upset; I think it generally pleases millions of neutral fans across the country.

I really enjoy the League Cup for the fact that there are almost always plenty of goals and incidents. Ties need to be decided on the night so we see none of that conservative play that we're so familiar with from watching years of stagnant Champions League football. For the lower league clubs this is big business; the chance to make some serious dosh comes around immediately. And while no one really knows where their team is going to finish in the league, there's none of this 'affecting our league form' excuse. In fact, the League Cup is often a good indicator of the stronger lower league clubs - their form in the competition can carry them along in the league, whereas the FA Cup seems to have the opposite effect later in the season.

As for who I think will win the League Cup, well... one of the big four will - that's if any of them decide they want to. The first team to be knocked out of the Champions League will be the first to show an interest in winning the League Cup, but only if they're still in it. I've gone for Spurs this year, but only because I think they've got a better squad to deal with the league, UEFA Cup and one of the two domestic cups. I'd like to see Blackburn win it, or (for obvious reasons) any team outside the Premiership.