Protecting the FA Cup

[GT49er]

Application/modification of the rules? I'm pretty sure sanctions are applied for any team playing a deliberately weak side in the league - so why not for the FA Cup too? If it's already in the rules, apply the sanctions - and if it isn't, change the rules before next season.
Liverpool, Southampton, Watford, Newcastle, Leeds and us have all fielded ridiculously weakened teams, 8, 9 or 10 changes and all that - and got tonked on our arses out of the cup.
Would we have done that if, for instance, there was as £250K fine for a first offence, and a ten point deduction for a second offence in a three year period?

 

[Guinness Boy]

Take the television money out of the Premier League, give one of our 4 Champions League spots to the FA Cup winner and restore the final to 3pm Saturday when no one else is playing & the regular season's done. That's the only way you'll restore it. We, Newcastle & Leeds did the right thing pragmatically but not in terms of history.


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[Pavilionaire]

The FA Cup is now basically for anyone who hasn't got anything else to play for, promotion or relegation. Maybe give the winners 15 points which would get those sides interested as well?

Like Bournemouth? Southampton? Even most mid table teams can't be arsed as finishing just one place higher in the Prem is worth millions.

The FA Cup is dead.

 

[Brighton Mod]

Looking at all the weakened teams being put out (us, Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Southampton, Tottenham etc) and how it devalues the FA cup would it not be a good idea to avoid league fixtures in the midweek following an FA cup weekend? I'm not saying it would mean everyone putting out full teams but surely with a week's rest until the next game it would at least make it slightly more tempting.

It all comes down to the root of all evil 'money'. Each club will set out their priorities and what they want from the season and CH, rightly so has promotion as a priority. He didn't take the team to Lincoln to lose and they should not have lost but they did, thats not an indictment on CH it rests on the shoulders of the players. I don't think CH disrespected the FA Cup.

 

[chaileyjem]

The use of the word "either" in a sentence usually indicates that "or" will be along in a minute. Are we missing something? Either 1-4......or what?

Either 1, 2,3 or 4.

 

[theboybilly]

Bring back the ECWC. I really don't understand why it was done away with. Some clubs (eg West Ham) now have no European honours to show

 

[Prince Monolulu]

Bring back the ECWC. I really don't understand why it was done away with. Some clubs (eg West Ham) now have no European honours to show

Simple, CL revenue is massive. Some clubs have even complained that Europa League actually costs THEM money.

 

[theboybilly]

Simple, CL revenue is massive. Some clubs have even complained that Europa League actually costs THEM money.

The Europa League is too bloated though, and and the CL failures joining half-way through takes much interest away from it. Having a re-instated ECWC and a leaner Europa League (all on Tuesday and Wednesday nights) would work I'm sure.

 

[driddles]

Needs to change. It would make for interesting watching if it was Championship on down and the winner got a spot in the Premier league playoff against the 3,4 & 5 placed Championship clubs (drop the spot for 6th team). Talk about glory stories, a League One club winning their way into the playoff, then winning promotion into the Premiere League in one season would be a great story.

 

[TottonSeagull]

Unfortunately for us older fans, the FA Cup will never be more than an irrelevance to the Premier League and most of the Championship as there is no money in it! One place higher finish in the EPL will give you more money than winning the cup. Then the FA have devalued the Cup by letting TV dictate a 5.30pm kick off and not insisting that the cup final is the last game of the season.

Whatever is offered it will be seen as a distraction to higher league clubs ........................ shame for those of us that remember when Cup Final day was the high light of the year.

 

[Worried Man Blues]

15 points would mean a lot to even these teams?

Like Bournemouth? Southampton? Even most mid table teams can't be arsed as finishing just one place higher in the Prem is worth millions.

The FA Cup is dead.

 

[studio150]

Flogging a dead horse, time to ditch both the League Cup and FA Cup and open up space for a winter break and reduction in mid week games

 

[Guinness Boy]

15 points would mean a lot to even these teams?

Absolutely ridiculous idea and totally impractical. Time to accept that modern football has killed the FA Cup


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[Daddies_Sauce]

Financially, the FA cup may be a life line for many smaller clubs if they get the right draws, hope that Lincoln and Sutton do not get drawn together tomorrow.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Having the draw on Monday is a bit of a mistake. It becomes a bit of an after thought of the weekend.

Much better to have it on Saturday, or at a push Sunday even if all ties haven't been played.

 

[dejavuatbtn]

The magic of FA cup final on TV in the early sixties is what attracted me to love this great game. Sadly the magic Has disappeared, not just from thr FA cup but from football professional football in general.

 

[horshamite]

Of the top 11 sides in the Championship with any realistic chance of automatic promotion or a play-off place, only Huddersfield and Fulham remain in the FA Cup, plus Derby who have a replay at Leicester. Shows where clubs' priorities are methinks.

 

[Dave the OAP]

Bring back the Inter City Fairs Cup.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Or cardboard.

Mostly tin foil actually.

Do those that reach the semi finals persist with using second team players, or do they suddenly decide to take it more seriously once they have a real opportunity to win it.

 

[Wilko]

Scrap the league cup, only have one cup competition which starts a little earlier and allows for a winter break. The FA cup final should be the final curtain on the football season on a Saturday at 3pm.