General Premier League Thread 2025/2026

That's more recent than I'd have guessed even! 9 FA Cups since then it looks like?

I rate the League Cup, I don’t actually think there’s much between it and the FA Cup other than tradition - I’d take either equally I don’t subscribe to this idea that one is so much better to win than the other. But it’s clear that some clubs prioritise one over the other and that’s fine, winning the other is a bonus but not the end of the world. They’ll be motivated now in the FA Cup but even that isn’t much of a priority this season

A really good position to be in when not winning a cup final doesn’t put a dent in your season’s success

Good point. It was City's first win in 4 games. Hardly momentum!

They aren't capable of sustained momentum this season, not thus far anyway.

This is not the same City as a number if years ago. Not as consistent, still excellent of course,but I cannot see them winning their last 8 league games. No chance.

Calling for the manager of a team that is 9 points clear at the top of the league and in the QF of Champions to be sacked right now though is Codswallop of the higest order.

I remember very well in 88/89 season Arsenal losing at home to Derby in 3rd last game and then twice throwing away the lead at home to Wimbledon in 2nd last game before Anfield.

What on earth would the permanently outraged have made of that if Social media was around??

Yeah I think that's it. Same clubs rest players in the FA Cup too

I think the main difference these days is the calendar

League Cup is an excuse to rest players before December 31st and then FA Cup starts for those PL teams in January where they can rest players in those early rounds

Quarter and semi finals they'll then start to take it seriously in either competition if still in it depending on other priorities.

But I haven't seen much difference this century between the 2. FA Cup as the clear preference died out with the old Wembley. Nowadays both are great to win as a bonus but PL and CL are the real big boys and are both well clear of the FA Cup

No clue how much sponsorship is spent but City got 100k for winning.

I like the idea too

I think the League Cup and FA Cup are basically on a par these days. They are both domestic cups at the end of the day. The League Cup is more fun I find as you often see new players getting starts there, and the games are settled on the night, straight to penalties. Playing new teams, midweek night time games only. And doesn't come with that whole grandeur 'magic of the cup' nonsense.

The FA Cup, IMO, for the last few years has almost taken on a fall-back option for some big clubs to try and pick up a trophy because they've been crap for 4 months in the league, lost in the league cup and out of Europe. Because of the bigger pool of teams in the FA Cup, they can target winning 2 or 3 games against lower league teams before trying to knuckle down at the business end for 2 or 3 more games and the season is saved.

Your post actually contradicts itself.

The League Cup is precisely more fun because it isn't taken as seriously as the FA Cup, it is played in midweek, new players and new formations are tried out, night time games and the few drinks out. All signs of a less than serious attitude.

The fact it doesnt take up the entire weekend and can be a fun midweek adds to it.

Best not tell the 88,000 people who went to that game yesterday, or the 7 or so million who watched on TV.

Funny how people who were poking fun at other teams in the earlier rounds, do a volte-face when a result doesn't suit.

Context is important though, do you think Newcastle fans would have wanted CL qualification instead of the Carabao Cup win last season if given the choice of only 1?

Yeah when it's 70 odd years you take the trophy. You don't know when or if you'll see the next one.

But to kick on as a club Newcastle need to get CL regularly.

I don't think the question is that hard when you haven't won a trophy for 70 odd years.
But having won it last season, if at the start of this season had you offered Newcastle winning the LC again or getting CL again I think they would pick CL football.

The club preferring it, sure. The fans I'd imagine would be pretty divided on that, many would want a Wembley trip again and lifting a trophy even if they won it last year