The Carling Cup is no longer seen as some kind of consolation prize
The Carling Cup used to be a poor relation but now it’s become a competition managers NEED to win.
For the past six or seven years it’s been used as a proving ground for kids. It was a cup no-one seemed to care about.
Not anymore. Six of the top eight are in the quarter-finals and they have got there playing strong or even full-strength teams.
My favourites to win the competition are Chelsea or Manchester City. Both Carlo Ancelotti and Mark Hughes know they need to deliver this season and the Carling Cup is an ideal start.
If Ancelotti lifts the cup next February it would help fans dream of what might have been had Guus Hiddink stayed at the Bridge.
Meanwhile, if Sparky can deliver City’s first trophy in decades, people will stop talking about how much money he’s spent and concentrate on what a good side he’s built. And City fans will hail the ex-United man as the hero who brought down the ‘34 Years’ banner at Old Trafford.
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