Bolton boss Gary Megson doen't always treat the Carling Cup with much respect. He is not unlike many other managers when he rests much of his first team from playing in the early rounds of the competition. Last season, he even did the same in the Uefa Cup.

Last night a weakened Bolton side went out of the Carling Cup in a 2-1 defeat at home to League One Northampton Town. Two goals from much travelled striker Adebayo Akinfenwa were enough to win the game against ten man Bolton who had Gary Cahill sent off before half time.

Although by no means a reserve side, Bolton made six changes from the team that played at Newcastle at the weekend.

I fully understand that Premier League survival is by far the most important thing for Bolton and the fact that only just over seven thousand fans attended the Reebok suggests that their fans feel the same way.

I can't help feeling, however, that the Carling Cup is the one genuine chance where a team like Bolton could be involved in a serious challenge for silverware and glory. Don't their fans feel just a bit disappointed that Megson didn't give it a really good go?