[Albion] So .... Any chance we can take the FA Cup seriously this year?

[Brovion]

Every year since I first started posting on NSC (1999) come January the cry has gone up: "Forget the Cup, the League is far more important this year. It's vital we get promoted / avoid relegation this season. Next season we can take the Cup seriously, but not this." And like tomorrow, 'next season' never comes.

So how about it? Full-strength team at Bournemouth and give it a go? After all the "We're never going to win it so why bother?" argument can't be made any more, and as we're mid-table at Christmas we're pretty much as 'safe' as we're ever going to be. I'm hoping to find support especially amongst those who moan about the 'negativity' of our approach to League games and moan that the limit of our ambitions is to only lose narrowly at the likes of Man City whilst we chase that all-important 17th place. Let's give it a go this year..


EDIT: Of course in earlier years the 'Forget the Cup' cry went up a lot earlier than January ...

 

[chaileyjem]

Every year since I first started posting on NSC (1999) come January the cry has gone up: "Forget the Cup, the League is far more important this year. It's vital we get promoted / avoid relegation this season. Next season we can take the Cup seriously, but not this." And like tomorrow, 'next season' never comes.

So how about it? Full-strength team at Bournemouth and give it a go? After all the "We're never going to win it so why bother?" argument can't be made any more, and as we're mid-table at Christmas we're pretty much as 'safe' as we're ever going to be. I'm hoping to find support especially amongst those who moan about the 'negativity' of our approach to League games and moan that the limit of our ambitions is to only lose narrowly at the likes of Man City whilst we chase that all-important 17th place. Let's give it a go and have a bit of fun.

What about er, last year ?

 

[Berty23]

Last year we still played the reserves until we played Man U. I would rather have a proper go in the cup and rest players in one of the league matches vs big guns. If we can beat Burnley at the weekend and who knows also plucky little Bournemouth (not to mention Everton home and wet ham away) then we will have 27 points with half the season to go and probably only need two wins to stay up. Didn’t Bournemouth rest everyone in the cup then go on a losing streak? We should give it a go.

 

[Papa Lazarou]

no.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

We stopped taking it seriously when we stopped singing 'going up to win the cup for sausage by the sea'

 

[chaileyjem]

Last year we still played the reserves until we played Man U. I would rather have a proper go in the cup and rest players in one of the league matches vs big guns. If we can beat Burnley at the weekend and who knows also plucky little Bournemouth (not to mention Everton home and wet ham away) then we will have 27 points with half the season to go and probably only need two wins to stay up. Didn’t Bournemouth rest everyone in the cup then go on a losing streak? We should give it a go.

How can being a few chances away from making the semi finals not be “giving it a go”.

But will CH rotate his team/squad. ? Of course he will.

 

[Baldseagull]

I think the opportunity to play some squad players and maybe blood one or two under 23's is too good to miss.

 

[GT49er]

So .... Any chance we can take the FA Cup seriously this year?

Slim chance, IMHO, unless the reserves accidentally get us through to the quarter finals.

 

[Hotchilidog]

Depends what you mean by seriously. I'd certainly like to see us go on a run, but if we don't loan out the likes of Connolly or Gykores I'd like to see them be given the opportunity to play a competitive match. I'd view their participation as valuable development for players we would hope can graduate to the first XI.

Also, whilst we are all still basking in the warm glow of post-Palace glory, we should not assume that we are 'safe' just yet. Murray is injured and whilst Andone is brilliant, next man up is Locadia. No room for complacency just yet.

I understand the sentiment of the OP and would not be unhappy to see us put out a first choice XI but conversely I'd understand Hughton's reticence to do so.

 

[Nixonator]

I don't feel safe yet. 3 pts at Burnley and I'd be learning towards near full strength for the cup.

 

[pb21]

Still six league games until the FA cup match.

What kind of team we play and how seriously we take it will depend on what happens in the next four weeks.

 

[hart's shirt]

2017-2018 Quarter-Finals (lost to finalists)
2016-2017 4th Round
2015-2016 3rd Round
2014-2015 4th Round (lost to winners)
2013-2014 5th Round (lost to finalists)

It's not quite symmetrical, but it shows that we've got slightly better in recent years, as one would expect based on our league improvement.

The Lincoln away result 2 years back still sticks, but it's worth remembering that, as a non-League team, Lincoln also beat Burnley away in the 5th Round.

We should 'take it seriously' and field a team able to compete and win. All fans, especially those travelling, have the right to expect as much.

What's reassuring is that we've all seen just how good some of the new players are on Tuesday night in the heat of a derby.

We'll give it a go.

 

[Birdie Boy]

With Andone on 2 in 2 and looking superb, if he carries on in this vein that should mean Murray and Locadia will be the reserves. Go for it, same as we did last year.

 

[Dick Knights Mumm]

Every year since I first started posting on NSC (1999) come January the cry has gone up: "Forget the Cup, the League is far more important this year. It's vital we get promoted / avoid relegation this season. Next season we can take the Cup seriously, but not this." And like tomorrow, 'next season' never comes.

Ah. Cup Final coverage starting at 10:00am. Jeff Astle. Mike Trebilcock. Charlie George on the turf. Sunderland (and Alan). Where did those days go ?

 

[Napper]

even the 1/4 final we still didn't go full strength. So no , we wont be fussed

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Quarter finals last year seemed to be taking it fairly seriously, imo.

When was the last time we beat Bournemouth at their place, even with a full squad?

 

[Cozzy]

Can imagine a team line along the lines of this for 3rd round game

Steele
Bruno Balogun Burn Bong
Ali J Kayal Bissouma Gyokeres
Locadia Connolly

 

[Peter Grummit]

Have I missed it, or have Muff announced ticket prices and confirmed the date/time for the 3rd round yet?

 

[Is it PotG?]

Take it seriously, but rotate the squad for such matches.

Pretty much as last season.

 

[Superphil]

Not a chance.