To all those saying it's an unimportant game I'd pose two questions:-
1 When exactly did the League Cup cease to be viewed as a major competition by the media?
Answer: when the GPC unilaterally decided it wasn't one, in part to put "the noisy neighbours" in their place, since it was the last ****ing thing we had won.
2 When exactly did Manchester derbies cease to matter to the media?
Answer: when the GPC unilaterally decided "the noisy neighbours" needed to be seen as small fry and so he replaced us with Liverpool.
Times may have changed but never, ever forget how we were seen and treated and to some extent how we still are. Never,ever forget Blues. It's a Manchester derby and yes, the League Cup matters, it's still a major competition.
Forgive the ignorance, but what is GPC ?
The League Cup is a very good trophy to win, provided you also win the PL or CL in the same season, as in 13/14. Its always nice to win two trophies in a season. Winning just the League Cup in a season is no great achievement as far as the hierarchy are concerned.
New managers usually like to win the League Cup. Its a relatively easy competition to win, helps them break their duck. But I just dont think Pep is remotely bothered about winning it. Or for that matter, how many derbies he wins.
Haha nice one thanks ;-)Govan Piss Can.
I agree it is an unwelcome distraction for the teams - but it is a welcome distraction for the fans, as much as I love winning derbies and hate losing them I could not do without them. Best hope of a EPL title? Give me a break, it would certainly help if our fellow contenders kick lumps of each other, but we are more capable of winning/messing it up without that.
As much as you may want to see that side, I think it's pretty pointless picking a side without Navas, I'd have thought he was a certainty to start.Pretty much bang on