Carling Cup still has magic

THE CARLING CUP has suffered more than its fair share of detractors over the years but the four remaining teams in this year’s competition go into semi-final second legs this week knowing the much-maligned tournament has the power not just to make their season but potentially to change their entire future.

It’s certainly true at West Ham, who go to Birmingham with a 2-1 advantage hoping that victory at Wembley next month could save manager Avram Grant’s job, re-enthuse their owners and, with a decision looming on the Olympic Stadium, potentially herald the start of an exciting new era in east London.

It’s true, too, for Birmingham who haven’t won a major trophy since the League Cup in 1963 but now have a wealthy new owner in the shape of the Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung, who could well be encouraged to increase his spending plans if given the not-inconsiderable fillip of silverware less than two years after taking full control.