It's Not "Just" The Carling Cup

For many of the bigger and more successful clubs used to playing in the Champions League, the Carling Cup is merely an exhibition tournament for their younger players. While many feel this cheapens the competition of the tournament, it's hard to argue with a manager that wants to rest his players for the Champions League and Premier League season.
Don't tell Harry Redknapp it's just an exhibition game. He criticized Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger for the handling of his roster the last few Carling Cups, and down 1-0 at halftime, substituted the high profile Aaron Lennon and Robbie Keane to start the second half.
Redknapp's substitutions made an immediate impact, as Keane scored in the 49th minute to even the game.
Tottenham has achieved a fair amount of success in the Carling Cup the last three years. They were eliminated in the fifth round last year, lost to Manchester United on penalty kicks two years ago in the championship, and won the Cup three years ago under manager Juande Ramos.
For a Premier League team that faces an uphill battle to qualify for one of the various European tournaments, the Carling Cup provides the only big game atmosphere they will encounter in any particular year. For that reason alone, they deserve a shot to go up against a more successful team that takes the tournament at least semi-seriously.
More importantly, the fans deserve a show. They don't care if the game means anything or not. That's one of the more underestimated qualities of being a fan there is. It doesn't matter the situation or importance, a fan wants to win every game.
Think of this in terms of the NFL preseason. The fans know the point is to get a look at players battling for roster spots. The starters are rusty and just looking to get on the same page. But that doesn't stop the fans from wanting an impressive performance from the starters, as well as a win at the end of the game.
The same logic applies in the Carling Cup, which is why this defeat was so disappointing for Spurs fans. It's not that they lost, it's the way they lost.
Three boneheaded mistakes in extra-time led to three goals. This coming after a hard fought second half to come back and tie the game, despite looking dreadful in the first half.
Two penalties in the box are inexcusable. Especially in extra time, and the first committed before a minute ticked off the clock. The third goal was even worse. While Spurs defender Kyle Naughton was complaining about a foul call, Jack Wilshere took a quick free kick and set up Andrei Arshavin who snuck easily behind Naughton for a goal that officially put the game out of reach.
Tottenham's miscues were not limited to the defensive end. Down 3-1, David Bentley missed a header from seven feet away after receiving a perfect cross. Had he connected and put Spurs within one, the game could have had a different outcome. Instead, it was just another mistake in an extra-time first period that was filled with mistakes.
For the players, it was just the Carling Cup. They still have the Premier and Champions League to concern themselves with.
Don't tell that to the fans who had to witness Samir Nasri put home two penalty kicks and smile his way down the field like his first child was born. Don't tell that to the fans who had to leave early hoping to avoid the Arsenal fans who flooded their stadium with chants and songs, only to be serenaded across North London for the rest of night.
For the fans, it's never just a game. They all mean something.