Post West Ham’s second round win against fellow Premiership club Bournemouth, West Ham found out that their next opponents would be Liverpool away.
I thought at the time how unlucky it was yet then discovered that the rules for the League Cup have changed to benefit the clubs in Europe – a competition West Ham were involved in during the last three seasons.
The new rules means that clubs in the Champions league do not draw a club in the Europa league.
So for the third round there were two bowls – bowl one for the six Champions league and Europa league clubs and bowl 2 the remaining 26 clubs.
There was even a pre draw to determine home and away positioning in bowl one for the first six ties of the competition.
West Ham were not afforded such a luxury over the previous years.
The reason behind this is that the fixtures need to be played over a two week period instead of one. This is due to the expansion of the Champions League and Europa League which will see all teams now play eight games instead of six.
To make it even more confusing, Chelsea have to play a two leg qualifying game against Servette re the Europa Conference so are in pot 2. If they qualify they begin their European adventure in earnest in October. The third round fixtures therefore don’t affect any of their games in Europe. They have been fortunate and drawn Barrow in the third round.
Ties that are drawn at 90 minutes will go straight to penalties, which does give the Hammers some hope for the trip to Anfield.
With a top six place being very hard to achieve the cup competitions potentially offers West Ham an opportunity to secure a place in Europe next season so the new ruling is frustrating. Lopetegui fielded a strong first team during the second round so reaffirmed they are taking the competition seriously.
Sadly the ruling favours the big clubs and has made this seasons Carabao cup competition farcical.
It’s corruption that’s the only answer
It is corrupt as it doesn’t reduce the number of games that the clubs in Europe have to play, it just enhances their chances of winning the League Cup games.
mate its cheating, only meant for the judas six, if i had my way no fan would bother attending a game as whats the point, you ain’t going to win it!!!
What a totally crap competition that is!! It’s basically completely rigged!!
What is the point if competitions are going to be rigged????
Another case of GREED by the people running ( sorry I meant ruining) the game!!!
Let’s be honest, it’s the final nail in the coffin of this “competition.” It has been disparaged and disrespect for a long time now as a competition the Pig Six can win when they want, and never enter the prize of Europa League qualification, because the winner invariably competes in the Champions League. It’s been made even easier for them to win it now.
It’s pointless to enter, because the winners have been pre determined. The only way it can survive is if entry is restricted to EFL clubs.
The general rule of most sport, is win. So it’s 11 v 11. What’s the problem. The top teams win which makes them the top teams!! So if we win, what’s the problem here. I don’t want to progress with this cup as usual. We are currently not in Europe and if we were, we wouldn’t be interested. So let’s take the opportunity of not being in Europe by playing less games and concentrate on the league and get back there, no through the cheap side door.
The league cup should be just fot the championship and the leagues below. Let teams that put out their best 11 and play hard to win challenge for the trophy, not the EPL who seem to make a mockery of the cup
Whilst the set up for the draw was far from ideal and it could have been drawn in a different way, there had to be a way to keep apart the teams in the top two European cups. I can’t remember too many complaining when we had an advantage in the 3 previous seasons. Obviously there were better odds avoiding the European 6 but we just got unlucky. Hopefully with the game in a middle of a run of 5 games in 16 days, Slot will make changes and we can take advantage cheered on by 5000+ fans.
West Ham benefited from it during 2023/24 season. In the 2023-24 Carabao cup West Ham got a home draw in the third round. Because West Ham won the conference cup they fell under the new rule. Teams participating in European competitions were given an automatic home draw in the third against Lincoln City. I dont remember anyone complaining about it back then.
No West Ham went in the hat for League Cup 3rd round and got Lincoln away. This is a new unfair rule change starting this season.
Liverpool will make changes, we go full strength and take this competition seriously.
Man City Chelsea and 4 others were kept apart no luck of the draw one round less they could be knocked out.
Now they moan as they have a Game on Sunday then Tuesday night ( with 2 first teams M City basically) why would it matter.