On Sunday Premier League outfit Swansea will face the surprise package Bradford in the Capital One Cup final. Both the sides have defied all odds and have set the stage for a much unpredicted final.
Top flight English clubs have continued to ignore the Capital One Cup, formerly known as the Carling Cup. The low importance given to the competition has resulted in many terming it as the “Mickey Mouse Cup”.
Most of the Premier League clubs and almost all of the top clubs in England tend to give more priority to the FA Cup and the League, with some of them also having to play in European Competitions. Many managers use this competition as a ground to nurture their young blooming talents, especially Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who used this competition to develop many of his star players including Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere.
However you cannot take anything away from either Swansea or Bradford, both sides have done remarkably well to reach the finals. Bradford certainly deserve a special mention, the League two side are currently 11th in the table, but have managed to beat Premier League outfits Aston Villa, Arsenal and Wigan to reach the Final. The Bantams do not have any injury concerns and are likely to field a very strong side which will be raring to go. Bradford last participated in a domestic cup final back in 1911 when they faced Newcastle in an FA Cup Final replay, a match which they won. On Sunday Bradford will be keen to record their second major domestic title.
As for Swansea, It will be their first major Cup Final in the 100 year history of the club and they will be hoping to take full advantage of this opportunity. Michael Laudrup has taken this tie very seriously and fielded a second string side against Liverpool in a Premier League encounter last Sunday, in order to rest many of his key players. Swansea will have to do without star defender Chico Flores who has been in stellar form this season. The Spanish defender suffered an injury in a match against QPR and is unlikely to recover in time for Sunday’s Final. Swansea are currently on a poor run and will have to pick up themselves if they are to achieve anything from Sunday’s clash. The Swans have managed to win only two of their last eight matches in all competitions, failing to sore in six. Their last away goal came back in January against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, when Swansea beat the Blues 2-0. For Swansea a Capital One Cup title can do wonders for their reputation, they are a side who have been doing well in the Premier League and if they win the League Cup they will be able to attract bigger and better players to the club next season.
Swansea and Bradford can inspire other lower tiered teams to give more importance to the Capital One Cup. The top flight clubs are expected to continue using this competition as a breeding ground for their young talents, this opens up an opportunity for other clubs to win the competition. Though Swansea might emerge as favourites for the crucial tie, Bradford will surely not go down without a fight having played so well in the competition.
Most of the Premier League clubs and almost all of the top clubs in England tend to give more priority to the FA Cup and the League, with some of them also having to play in European Competitions. Many managers use this competition as a ground to nurture their young blooming talents, especially Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger who used this competition to develop many of his star players including Cesc Fabregas and Jack Wilshere.
However you cannot take anything away from either Swansea or Bradford, both sides have done remarkably well to reach the finals. Bradford certainly deserve a special mention, the League two side are currently 11th in the table, but have managed to beat Premier League outfits Aston Villa, Arsenal and Wigan to reach the Final. The Bantams do not have any injury concerns and are likely to field a very strong side which will be raring to go. Bradford last participated in a domestic cup final back in 1911 when they faced Newcastle in an FA Cup Final replay, a match which they won. On Sunday Bradford will be keen to record their second major domestic title.
As for Swansea, It will be their first major Cup Final in the 100 year history of the club and they will be hoping to take full advantage of this opportunity. Michael Laudrup has taken this tie very seriously and fielded a second string side against Liverpool in a Premier League encounter last Sunday, in order to rest many of his key players. Swansea will have to do without star defender Chico Flores who has been in stellar form this season. The Spanish defender suffered an injury in a match against QPR and is unlikely to recover in time for Sunday’s Final. Swansea are currently on a poor run and will have to pick up themselves if they are to achieve anything from Sunday’s clash. The Swans have managed to win only two of their last eight matches in all competitions, failing to sore in six. Their last away goal came back in January against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, when Swansea beat the Blues 2-0. For Swansea a Capital One Cup title can do wonders for their reputation, they are a side who have been doing well in the Premier League and if they win the League Cup they will be able to attract bigger and better players to the club next season.
Swansea and Bradford can inspire other lower tiered teams to give more importance to the Capital One Cup. The top flight clubs are expected to continue using this competition as a breeding ground for their young talents, this opens up an opportunity for other clubs to win the competition. Though Swansea might emerge as favourites for the crucial tie, Bradford will surely not go down without a fight having played so well in the competition.
