My idea to spice up the League Cup - what do you reckon?

Radio Sheff were asking about this so it set me thinking and I suddenly had this (what i think) could be a great idea.

<strong>Current issues are:</strong>

League is more important
Starts at slightly wrong time in season
It is seen as a lesser value competition
Fans are not as interested as it generally a low key game with not much to whet the appetite
Managers put out weakened teams as its less important

<strong>Result is:</strong>
A nothing, low risk game where it result doesn't overly matter. Bigger teams are not that bothered if the exit at an early stage.

<strong>The possible solution to address those points:</strong>

As we are dealing with league clubs what about giving bonus league points to the result to carry forward into your respective leagues.

It could be the same points structure - 1pt draw, 3 point win.

Only 1st leg counts (no replay if there is one (pens at the moment))
Goals against don't count (protects a bottom club playing Man Utd from getting penalised)

Start the games away from the first week - some say pre-season but this could just extend the league then! So just move away from first week of season.

Give ALL teams the option to play from the first round - adds to strategy - extra game time v bonus points on offer!
Gets the big teams from the off. They can come in at a later stage if they wish but risk losing out on points.

Enhances the benefits of a good cup run.

Encourages teams to stay in a competition
Gets fans to the grounds as it means something.
Makes the competition a lot more exciting.

<strong>Slight Downside</strong>

It could introduce a small element of luck of the draw to a league campaign.

<strong>so what do you think? Could it work?</strong>

 

or they could just up the prize money.....

 

Thats not going to engage the fans though is it... the main problem is "the league is more important". If teams get benefit in the league from this comp then its got to improve things. A few exta quid is not reason to risk their best players in a low importance cup game.. but what could and extra 9 points do to their league campaign??

Only downside is is introduces a bit of luck of the draw to a league campaign.

 

The first round could be played on a Saturday in October when there is usually an international game on and no league fixtures.

This may increase crowds for the smaller clubs who are all in at first round stage.

 

My idea, make the first round or 2 regional, people care about local derbies and they are proven to attract crowds, just look at Elland Road and the City Ground this week. We even got more for a friendly vs Sheff Weds than the game vs Morecambe. Summat needs to be done though, it's dreadful how it is.

 

Or we could just scrap it!

 

Now that is a good idea !

 

Good prices for metal nowadays.

 

Not the worst idea.

 

Agreed. Whilst ever the price of football is as high as it is at the moment, changes will make little difference. Scrap it and try and focus more on making the FA Cup what it used to be.