Sadly, the finances involved in PL survival far outweigh the gains in a cup run. the last time I looked, the winner gets £100k for the league cup and something like. £1.4m for the FA cup.
That would pay Haaland's wages for about 10 days
And no doubt the fans paid full price for the privilege of two top class sides entertaining them!
The only thing I can think off is that the EFL Cup is an opportunity to play a lot more of the fringe squad players. From those games, Lampard might have been able to identify one or two players that deserve their chance in the Premier League. Whereas, if he just keeps playing what he considers to be his best 11-15, then there will be a lot of players he never gets to see in action for the first team. Makes it riskier if he ever wants to bring them into the team in the PL down the line.
Yeah, and it is especially easy to discuss the error in his ways after a defeat. The EFL Cup is probably a competition that allows managers to put in a load of players they never really play, give them a run out, keep them marginally happier. If they play rubbish, they can explain they have failed to prove themselves, and must try harder in training. If they play really well, it gives him another option in the future PL games. Only when they get through a few rounds, then some managers start to consider stronger sides, as they are closer to actually getting to the final.
You took the tone of my comment out of context (not a surprise given then typical tone of arguments on social media). I wasn't criticising your point of view, just generally saying it is easier to criticise a manger in any game if it doesn't work out. If Everton had won (which presumably Lampard still thought there was a good chance with the players available), then it would have been classed as a good decision most likely. Whereas if he picked a strong side, and they still lost, then he could be criticised for not freshening things up and giving others a chance.
