What a game! Hard to take losing on penalties but the team performance to take it all the way was fantastic. Did us proud, now we just need to translate that to the league!
Should be fun and games down in London tonight, we're a few players carrying knocks so think we'll play a fairly weak team. This is Chelsea's best hope of getting into Europe, so although tired from the cup final on Sunday, i think they'll play a strong team.
Shame about Maidstone but they had a great journey. I would feel a bit cheated out of a top team's revenue after making it this far, but 27k from Coventry is a good showing on their end on a Monday evening. Hopefully we can have a surprise team in the final this year to make it a must-watch. Not arsed about any of the greed 6/7 playing each other for a cup they tend to devalue.
Potential to be hammered by Man C who do seem to take it pretty seriously (helps with their squad I know ) compared to other big teams though? I suspect the managers of Newcastle, Man and Chelsea will want to win this to keep them in a job The mid table and bottom sides tend to play weaker sides too I think . .
Not sure if anyone looks at the domestic cup thread so posting here as well. They have done away with replays in the FA cup next year. Awful decision. Id rather they say no same division replays or something. At least then the smaller teams get their paydays still and the magic (sort of) carries on.
As someone who loved the FA Cup, sadly most of “The Magic” has long since gone. Killed by The PL Money and greed with some help from the FA. I can remember our epic 5 Matches saga against Arsenal as a 3rd Division Club and our 4 Matches v Everton. Each match eagerly anticipated and huge attendances (despite 3 of the Arsenal Matches being at a neutral Ground, in appalling Weather Conditions) The FA was huge back then and often even the early rounds both teams and fans prioritised over League Matches. Compared to now when (Particularly in Sheffield) the draw is met with disdain and clubs struggle to get even half their average league attendances. Even the Final is nothing like what it once was, very sad IMO.
Another blow to the game. All the quirks, traditions and idiosyncrasies that made the game special are being gradually chipped away and sanitised on the altar of finance for the benefit of a small group of the ultra-wealthy. If they’re not careful it will end up as some dry commodity like F1, purely a financial transaction between investment funds and mindless consumers. And don’t get me started on the FA, spineless cretins.
The FA Cup has been watered down to accommodate the new ****ing awful CL format. F*ck the small clubs as per in this shit country.
If it’s all down to the PL clubs then why have they scrapped Round One and Two replays . What difference does that make to them ? Just seems like an excuse to cut games where they can . But these same clubs will probably be complaining about a lack of opportunities for squad players or they had to play 120 minutes few days before a mid week match . Funny thing is these top teams get to the final stages generally so surely they aren’t that bothered about extra games . Just play a load of kids in the 3rd round to get knocked out which is what some in the lower PL and Championship do.
729 Clubs play in the FA Cup apparently. How many play in Europe? It’s ridiculous that they are bowing to this.
The fact that the decision was only made in consultation with Premier League Clubs stinks. Disrespectful and good on Tranmere and those who've followed for speaking out!
I agree. Hopefully majority of the football league clubs including ourselves release a statement slaming the FA
Exactly. It probably would have gone down better if the FA said this was their idea alone rather than basically saying the big Premier league clubs want us to do this without any consultation with others. As we know people outside of the Premier league think they have all the power and control the game - this will only enhance their view.
Well someone is telling porkies. Not great when the powers that be are at each others throats. EFL Statement: FA Cup Replays
The Premier League is shite. They've been making the game here worse with every new decision for their own benefit. Round 1 and round 2 replays don't affect them. I can agree with it being optional, as same division replays are rubbish and don't really benefit anyone. If both sides agree to penalties instead, that should be allowed. The EFL allowed academies in the EFL Trophy, and the academy categories were designed to benefit the richer clubs. Hopefully this push back actually goes somewhere.
