Maligning the magic of the FA Cup

[Out of the gloom]

Even though we are out and Steve Evans Crawley are still in (come on Derby tonight), it was still a FA Cup weekend. With weakened teams fielded by some bigger clubs the term upset is devalued, but it is still pleasing and a reminder that, regardless of level, if you aren’t 100% committed you will not succeed.

Sadly that view is not shared by all - no disputing in-person attendances and TV audiences are declining. The Guardian[/url] last week reported on ‘radical changes’ being considered by the FA - with my opinions:

1) Change final to evening kick-off – No. Call me a traditionalist.
2) Winners qualify for Champions Lge – Yes. Absolutely. Time the FA exercised some authority over the Premier League.
3) Scrap replays – No. It is a huge part of the story (financial lifeline) for smaller clubs.
4) Introduce seeding – No. Complete antithesis of what the FA Cup is.
5) Use as a testing ground – I’m (in principal) all for broadcasting innovations, technology assisting goal-line (possibly ball-tracking) and offside decisions, even changes to the laws of the game if thought through, e.g. practical problems only feasible at grounds with giant screens. A maybe.
6) Play some rounds midweek – No. If the football and prices are fair people will come at 'normal' times.

Additionally my own recommendations:
• Footballers not celebrities (the Guardian called them ‘window dressing’) doing the draw - I don’t expect the reverse at a rock concert.
• Proceeds from net gate receipts and media payments to be redistributed in greater favour of lower league clubs. For example, if a Premier League or Championship club plays a club two or more divisions below them, the lower league club should receive a minimum of 50% proceeds and the ‘Association’ and ‘Pool’ funds between 10-25%.
• No extra time in rounds before the Semi-finals - If teams cannot be separated after 180 minutes home & away, it is time for penalties.
• No other games in England (& Wales) on TV at same time.
• No other games on Cup Final weekend.
• So long as both Semi-finals are at Wembley, both must be on free-to-air TV.
• ITV to bring back Abide with me intro.

Thoughts, comments and opinions...

[ConcreteBob]

I'd like to see semi finals on a neutral ground, but I know this won't happen as the FA need the finals at Wembley to pay back the builders.

[peterdevo]

I would too.
And I hope Derby thrash Crawley, not only because I hate Crawley but also like Nigel Clough

[sam1985]

Qualifying for the Champions League I wholeheartedly support and it sounds almost too good an idea for the FA to allow to happen. The other proposals are pure, unadulterated shite. Seedings?! That just sums up why modern football is the antithesis of what the FA Cup is about, the FA Cup is the most meritocratic competition in football and if it was introduced today it just wouldn't be allowed to be like it is.

I was saying this the other day to someone, that if they conceived the idea of the FA Cup now they'd probably have group stages and/or seedings to keep the 'big 8' in it as long as possible for the sake of higher TV revenue domestically and abroad. Now some bigwig actually proposes it, well quelle f**king surprise.

[witastic]

Jan 10, 2011 17:55:10 GMT Out of the gloom said:

Even though we are out and Steve Evans Crawley are still in (come on Derby tonight), it was still a FA Cup weekend. With weakened teams fielded by some bigger clubs the term upset is devalued, but it is still pleasing and a reminder that, regardless of level, if you aren’t 100% committed you will not succeed.

Sadly that view is not shared by all - no disputing in-person attendances and TV audiences are declining. The Guardian

[/url] last week reported on ‘radical changes’ being considered by the FA - with my opinions:

1) Change final to evening kick-off – No. Call me a traditionalist.
2) Winners qualify for Champions Lge – Yes. Absolutely. Time the FA exercised some authority over the Premier League.
3) Scrap replays – No. It is a huge part of the story (financial lifeline) for smaller clubs.
4) Introduce seeding – No. Complete antithesis of what the FA Cup is.
5) Use as a testing ground – I’m (in principal) all for broadcasting innovations, technology assisting goal-line (possibly ball-tracking) and offside decisions, even changes to the laws of the game if thought through, e.g. practical problems only feasible at grounds with giant screens. A maybe.
6) Play some rounds midweek – No. If the football and prices are fair people will come at 'normal' times.

Additionally my own recommendations:
• Footballers not celebrities (the Guardian called them ‘window dressing’) doing the draw - I don’t expect the reverse at a rock concert.
• Proceeds from net gate receipts and media payments to be redistributed in greater favour of lower league clubs. For example, if a Premier League or Championship club plays a club two or more divisions below them, the lower league club should receive a minimum of 50% proceeds and the ‘Association’ and ‘Pool’ funds between 10-25%.
• No extra time in rounds before the Semi-finals - If teams cannot be separated after 180 minutes home & away, it is time for penalties.
• No other games in England (& Wales) on TV at same time.
• No other games on Cup Final weekend.
• So long as both Semi-finals are at Wembley, both must be on free-to-air TV.
• ITV to bring back Abide with me intro.

Thoughts, comments and opinions...[/quote]


plenty of upsets so still the magic is there and teams can get a result on their day

1 agree they cant move the KO, what does moving it to the evening do? if anything they will lose viewers as most people will b out
2 champions league sudn't go to a team who win a cup, we all know the rewards u get so this sud b based on a whole season performance rather than the 'luck' of the draw
3 agree replays sud stay and even for the semi final as this is a big financial benefit to clubs
4 agree, this sud b a cup competition that any team can play anyone
5 no, use other competitions to do the testing not the main cup competition
6 not a chnace, i hate the fri nite ones now, they sud b sat and sun and thats it

[Long Live Clarkey]

The purpose of cup football is to offer an equally, or at least comparably, valuable alternative to league football. It's not like you win one or two matches luckily and you've won the competition. The winner of the FA Cup should at least get a chance at qualification for the Champion's League, it's a valuable trophy or at least should be and has been looked down on by certain clubs for too long. It's often the most exciting kind of football, and therefore should really be an advert for the beautiful game, not a secondary part of it.

[kenskeen]

In the German cup the team from the lower division automatically plays at home.

[dannyc]

Jan 10, 2011 18:14:36 GMT peterdevo said:

I would too.
And I hope Derby thrash Crawley, not only because I hate Crawley but also like Nigel Clough

why do you hate Nigel Clough ?

[Lone Gunman]

Jan 10, 2011 20:06:13 GMT dannyc said:

Jan 10, 2011 18:14:36 GMT peterdevo said:

I would too.
And I hope Derby thrash Crawley, not only because I hate Crawley but also like Nigel Clough

why do you hate Nigel Clough ?

Has someone hacked your account again danny?

[fredwest]

Who the f**k do shitty Blackpool think they are? jumped up punching above their weight tramp seaside shithole wouldve got Man u tho .........i love own goals ;D


cost me my bet on sat tho contssssss!!!!!