The Magic of the cup (2)

[hutchings (48)]

Does anyone else think the phrase 'the magic of the FA cup' is a bit annoying and a bit over used?

Sure, days out like saturday and stories like Yeading/Exeter/Sunderland (ha ha) are what we like about the game, but is the fa cup any more special the domestic tournaments in other countries ? Isn't that the whole point about cup competions that allows the davids to be pitted against the goliaths, and doesn't the law of averages mean that occaisonally said david will overcome aforementioned goliath? Dont these shocks and upsets happen in other cometitions and other sports?

I mean, didn't Calais in the French fourth division actually win the French Cup a few seasons back. Surely thats a bigger story than your Wrexhams/Shrewsburys/Wokings and dare I say it our own exploits in 1983?

 

[aftershavedave]

I mean, didn't Calais in the French fourth division actually win the French Cup a few seasons back. Surely thats a bigger story than your Wrexhams/Shrewsburys/Wokings and dare I say it our own exploits in 1983?

got to the final...a massive achievement is was too!

 

[Hannibal smith]

The Magic of the cup, potential banana skins for the premiership teams, I tell you what this pitch is a leveller, Footage of THAT goal scored by Ronnie Radford, the plucky underdog, great day out for the fans.

FA Cup round 3. More predictable than finding George Best in a pub.

 

[Superphil]

The magic is GONE, official.

On Saturday the only sold out games were Manchester United and Tottenham.

Manchester United have massive following and would probably sell out if they fielded a reserve team to play against a Conference side.

Tottenham are the darlings of the cup and they will always get a sell out for an FA cup game.

I'm pretty certain that there was not another cup game on Saturday that was full. The magic of the cup, I'm sorry, but it's gone.

 

[Curious Orange]

It hasn't gone for me!! I love the FA Cup!! And being in a full house for a fantastic game of football against Spurs was excellent!!

 

[bhafc99]

Manchester United … would probably sell out if they fielded a reserve team to play against a Conference side.

Er, they did!!

 

[Tesco in Disguise]

no way! still one of the best weekends of the football year

 

[hutchings (48)]

Yeah, I'm inclined to agree. All this talk about whether premiership sides will play a weakened side or not does seem to have devalued the competition.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

On Saturday the only sold out games were Manchester United and Tottenham.

The Observer printed a table of attendances and ground capacities.

The games with less than 1,000 unoccupied places were:-

Manchester United -v- Exeter
Northampton Town -v- Southampton
Oldham Athletic -v- Manchester City
Plymouth Argyle -v- Everton
Tottenham Hotspur -v- Brighton & Hove Albion

 

[Pavilionaire]

BBC over-use the phrase because it's one of the few football comps they can still show live and they've got to hype it up somehow.

However, the importance of the FA Cup should not be under-estimated. Apart from the long history and marvellous tradition a decent cup run is very exciting for fans an can transform a dull season - just ask Watford fans.

It's about time the League Cup was put to rest. By doing so the status of the FA Cup would be enhanced - the FA should have done this to coincide with the return to Wembley for added impact but they're clueless.

The League Cup is now outdated, because even the big clubs reserves still beat most Championship sides. Most of the games are midweek, making it harder to get to away games and pale alongside more attractive Champions League fixtures.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

The Observer printed a table of attendances and ground capacities.

The games with less than 1,000 unoccupied places were:-

Manchester United -v- Exeter
Northampton Town -v- Southampton
Oldham Athletic -v- Manchester City
Plymouth Argyle -v- Everton
Tottenham Hotspur -v- Brighton & Hove Albion

Neither of yesterday's games were a sell-out. I'm surprised that Arsenal -v- Stoke wasn't.

 

[Superphil]

Aparantly Arsenal have not sold out a game all season.

I agree, I love the cup, especially when we are in it, but there are far more games that are more poorly attended than there should be.

Aparantly Arsenal have not sold out a game all season. Very expensive tickets to blame I beleive.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

The Fa cup is different from other countries knock-out competions for a number of reasons.

First, it's open to so many semi-proffesional and amateur teams. This means the proverbial plumbers bakers and postmen can get a chance of playing glamorous teams packed with internationals eg Yeading vs Newcastle

Second - Replays. Exeter manage to hold on for ninety minutes, and are rewarded with another game, not automatic extra time and penalties

Third - Single legged ties. Over two legs the stronger team is more likely to triumph. But with home advantage in a one off match the likes of Oldham have a greater chance of pulling off a shock

Fourth - History - I don't mean grainy shots of Hereford goals I mean the fact that it has in the past been treated by the top teams as a competition worth winning, whereas in Italy the cup has always been regarded as a secondary trophy.

 

[SK1NT]

FA Cup is the best!

 

[Storer68]

SO....

what do you remember from 1983?


Drawing with Coventry and Villa and getting relegated............








or Beating Newcastle, Liverpool, Manchester City, Norwich, Sheffiueld Wednesday and then



walking out at Wembley on May 21st

 

[Wardy]

i still love the FA Cup. This site nearly crashed when the 3rd round draw was made. It must be great to be a non-league team that have made the 3rd round draw, and waiting to see who you get. Will it be a glamour tie away to Man U or a home game against Dartford.

Also try telling this to the likes of Sidley or Seaford when they start their FA Cup in August dreaming of making the 1st round. It is the only cup in the world where any team registered with the FA can enter.