What matters more to a football fan? The temporary success of winning a cup competition or a significant and persistent success in the league? Is it all about maintaining or is it about great highs and withstanding any sequential lows?
I was posed the question of whether West Ham fans should be jealous of Sunderland’s day out at Wembley? I see that as a silly proposition. Yes, Sunderland got to the final of a major competition. Yes their fans would have loved the day out and the first 45 minutes. But, they weren’t successful come full-time, unlike West Ham’s Play-off victory just two seasons ago.
Sunderland are currently sitting in 18th place in the Premier League, having played less games than most sides (excl. Manchester City). After The Hammers recent rise in form, they’re seven points above Sunderland and the drop-zone. Would I trade positions at this stage of the season for a Capital One Cup runners-up medal? No. After all, we both lost to Manchester City in the competition.
I was also posed the question “Isn’t football all about winning things?” Yes, in the average fans eyes, winning trophies is what it is all about. However, the financial success of being in the top flight is what being a football club is all about – after all, clubs are more of a business nowadays than ever before.
Sunderland have shown more than enough fight and ability since Gus Poyet took charge. The Capital One Cup finishes early enough in the season to give any side enough time to rescue their league position. I would think that Sunderland will be safe come May, and they will have a Cup final to remember, but they have entered no history books, and after all, only the winners are remembered.
I understand that cup and league success aren’t mutually exclusive, but with relegation battlers, it can certainly hinder. If you can win a cup then great; if you can hold you league status (as one of the smaller teams in the division) as well – excellent. There’s no disputing that. After all, that’s success.
To answer the original question of what matters more to football fans, perhaps the answer is cup success. But, to the people that run the club, the league is clear priority (hence the weakened side played versus Nottingham Forest and subsequent rise in form). If West Ham make a cup final we’ll all relish and enjoy, but they’ll be no real success unless the trophy is won. If West Ham remain in the Premier League, we’ll enjoy that too. Perhaps the enjoyment will be spread over months rather than minutes, but success is success, and that’s where all football fans are in agreement.
It is better to stay in the Premiership because every year the Top Teams are spending more and more, If you are out of the Prem then it is always harder when or if you get back up. Football now is more a business than a game, Most big companies go out and Head Hunt top people to employ, and that is what is happening now, the bigger company you are the better people you get. All this in the end will i think will wipe out our England team further down the years. Not many youngster get a chance to come through because it is all about instant success and money which makes the clubs look to foreign players . So if you want to not fall by the way side. Concentrate on the League and leave the cups to the Top Money Teams that invariably win anyway.