So, where does the League Cup feature in Claude Puel's list of priorities?

It should be fairly high up, but just how high up we will find out tonight.

This is why it should be fairly high up ...

Back in the summer, I wrote in the Sports Pink what I believe would constitute a good first season for Puel.

A mid table Premier League finish, to qualify from their Europa League group - keeping the interest alive into the second half of the season with that one - and a good run in one of the domestic cups.

By 'a good run' I mean reaching the semi finals at least.

For Saints, the semi finals would certainly constitute a good run.

Since winning the FA Cup in 1976, Saints have only reached the semi finals of the world's greatest club knockout competition twice - in 1986 and 2003.

Regarding the League Cup, Saints have only ever reached the semi finals of that tournament twice in over 50 years - in 1979 and 1987.

For a club who have spent all but 11 years competing in the top flight since 1966, that is a poor return to say the least.

The League Cup is probably Puel's fourth priority after the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League.

But here is the rub - if offers the winners a shot at European football.

Can we realistically say Saints will finish in a high enough league position this season to qualify for Europe? If they do, Puel will have pulled off an achievement even better than his predecessor did. It is a phenomenal ask, though.

This much is true - Saints have a better chance of winning the League Cup than qualifying for Europe through their league position.

Can Saints afford NOT to take the League Cup seriously?

Well, yes, they can but they shouldn't.

Under Ronald Koeman, Saints twice had a good chance of reaching the two-legged semi final stage.

In 2014/15, they were handed arguably the easiest draw in the competition - away to third division Sheffield United - and totally blew it, losing 1-0.

Saints were abject that night, and a great opportunity had been needlessly squandered.

Last season, Saints again reached the quarter finals. This time they were at home, albeit against Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp didn't field his strongest XI, but they still humiliated Saints - romping to a 6-1 win.

The likes of Birmingham and Swansea have won the League Cup in recent years, giving their fans a great day out at Wembley and some European nights.

Even Bradford City, a fourth division club at the time, reached the final in 2013.

If they can do it, why not Saints?

Saints fans have only ever had five visits to Wembley in the club's entire history - two in 1976, the League Cup final three years later, the 1992 Zenith Data Systems final and the JPT final six years ago.

Again, that is not many for a club of Saints' stature.

Of course we know the reasons why Puel might not field his strongest XI against Crystal Palace tonight.

The league has to be the priority and Saints have a good chance to build on their last two wins at struggling West Ham this weekend.

The following midweek there is a Europa League trip to Israel. If Saints can beat Hapoel Be'er Sheerva, they will be well on course to make the knockout stages.

Lots of competitions, lots of games.

Lots of opportunities for players to shine, therefore.

Puel isn't short on options. He has already said he trusts his squad, and he certainly has a chance to prove that over the next few weeks.

All the players should be hungry.

A lot of them have been given a chance so far - 18 players have made a competitive start so far - and more chances will come.

Puel has already shown he is not scared of being handed a 'tinkerman' title.

It will be an intriguing contest tonight.

Alan Pardew is in the same boat as Puel in managing a club who are realistically not going to finish in the top six.

Crystal Palace's best chance of European football is via the cups.

He took them seriously last season, as Palace reached the FA Cup final for only the second time ever.

The Eagles have never reached the League Cup final, and no doubt Pardew would love a return to Wembley.

We will find out tonight whether Puel or Pardew are taking the League Cup seriously.

Saints fans, if asked, would surely be happy with a League Cup final appearance in a few months' time.

That is a gimme. No supporter would turn down the chance to watch their club in a Wembley final.

Yet would they want it at the expense of a decent Europa League run, or at the expense of the sort of Premier League finish they have got used to in the past three years?

That is the question, and it's up to Puel and his squad to provide the answer.