If you want a bigger chance to get promoted, I say skip the cups, use only reserves or youngsters. With 24 teams in a lower division, it's crowded enough as it is. Play cup games with your first eleven and you'll find yourself playing once every 3-4 days which is very tough for any team, no matter how well-prepared phisically they are. Myself, I only tackle the cups when I feel I've assembled a good, homogenic team and the reserves can fully compensate for the first team players. If you manage to reach later stages in all competitions you're in, the number of games will reach about 60/ season, which is A LOT. Focus on getting promoted, slowly building up the team and in few seasons, you'll be able to challenge for the cups as well, without over-soliciting your players. just my 2 cents :) | 
