Comments on: Why So Many Empty Seats For Cup Competitions?

By: Lonnie

Lonnie — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:06:44 +0000

I was glad that Boro put out a strong side against Yeovil and are seeming to take the League Cup seriously. I hope we can do well and maybe even win the thing. An FA Cup or League Cup with a good showing in the league would be an awesome season and something to build upon.

By: Fsquid

Fsquid — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 14:34:16 +0000

It is simple really. The EPL teams and the good Championship teams send their reserve squads out until the Quarterfinal stage at least. Why do I want to pay to see that? Especially if it was on TV like it was today?

Hell, Sheffield Wednesday went out in the first round and no one seemed to really care on the message board.

By: Michael

Michael — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 02:29:07 +0000

Prospero, I was just using the Ricoh Arena as an example because it was visible yesterday, but this is a problem that exists at nearly every other stadium for cup games.

I like some of Paul’s ideas, to be honest — I don’t believe England needs two domestic cups, but if they want to do that, than the Carling Cup needs to be revamped somehow to make it more exciting for the fans. Personally, I enjoy it already, but I know I’m in the minority there.

By: ProsperoDGC

ProsperoDGC — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:19:56 +0000

There’s a simple solution to this: stupidity. When the Ricoh stadium was built, they put the TV camera stanchions above the home fans seating area. Consequently, the stand BENEATH the cameras are mostly full, while the stands opposite are often less than half full.

This isn’t to say that other factors aren’t also at play — Sky’s TV money, the too-full football schedule, and so on — but the design of the stadium is the primary reason.

By: Paul Bestall

Paul Bestall — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:23:50 +0000

In regards to revitilising the League Cup, I still feel it has a place in the game, but how can it be overhauled?
Do we invite Scottish and Welsh sides in and create a UK League Cup? Away goals could count double,scrapping extra time and penalties? All Premiership sides are drawn away from home in 2nd and 3rd rounds? Agree Premiership sides to play Under 23 sides viz a viz the Olympic football tournament? Increase the prize money? Involve conference sides? It still guarentees a European place to the winners so the pot is certainly worth winning but it needs surgery.