Do Cup shocks prove case for expansion

Every time there are shocks in any of our cup competitions it always fuels the case for League expansion in the SPL.

With three SFL Clubs knocking out SPL clubs in the League Cup this week there has been the usual clamour that this is proof there is strength in depth and is a cast iron case for SPL expansion. Amongst those banging the drum areFalkirkboss Steven Pressley and former Dundee Utd manager Jim McLean.

What they forget is two of the games were won on the lottery of penalties and by teams at the bottom of Division 1 and Division 2. If this was indicative of the strength of the Leagues surely these two would be pushing for promotion rather than hanging on for their life at the moment.

You also only need to go back a round to look at results differently withAberdeenseeing off Dundee and St. Johnstone defeatingLivingston, both of whom are promotion chasing.

While I fully support expansion of the SPL I think you can use these Cup results and various other stats to spin the story whatever way you want.

The truth is only Falkirk from the teams chasing promotion from Division 1 are through to the last 8, if the strength in depth was truly there you would expect more from the top half of that particular league.