I thought at the time how unlucky it was yet then discovered that the rules for the League Cup have changed to benefit the clubs in Europe – a competition West Ham were involved in during the last three seasons.
The new rules means that clubs in the Champions league do not draw a club in the Europa league.
So for the third round there were two bowls – bowl one for the six Champions league and Europa league clubs and bowl 2 the remaining 26 clubs.
There was even a pre draw to determine home and away positioning in bowl one for the first six ties of the competition.
West Ham were not afforded such a luxury over the previous years.
To make it even more confusing, Chelsea have to play a two leg qualifying game against Servette re the Europa Conference so are in pot 2. If they qualify they begin their European adventure in earnest in October. The third round fixtures therefore don’t affect any of their games in Europe. They have been fortunate and drawn Barrow in the third round.
Ties that are drawn at 90 minutes will go straight to penalties, which does give the Hammers some hope for the trip to Anfield.
With a top six place being very hard to achieve the cup competitions potentially offers West Ham an opportunity to secure a place in Europe next season so the new ruling is frustrating. Lopetegui fielded a strong first team during the second round so reaffirmed they are taking the competition seriously.
Sadly the ruling favours the big clubs and has made this seasons Carabao cup competition farcical.