Whitehouse & McKay

[CrippyCooke]

Both Whitehouse and Paul McKay starting for Leeds in the FA Cup today.

It will be interesting to see how they perform.

[essexrover]

Just saw that . I think this is their 1st team debuts isn't it ?

[dknward2]

Free to watch on channel 59 bt sport showcase if anyone interested
On freeview

[CrippyCooke]

Just saw that . I think this is their 1st team debuts isn't it ?

I believe so.

Sutton have looked very good so far.

[dknward2]

Get in Sutton

[ballysbackin]

Whitehouse subbed still 1-0 to Sutton

[ballysbackin]

Leeds just had Cooper sent off for two yellows AND THE REF is Stuart Atwell. oh dear me

[Rich_The_Conisbrough_Rover]

HAHAHAHAHAHA 😭 😭 😭

🔴⚪️🔴

[ballysbackin]

My prayers were answered this morning ha ha ha ha 

[NickDRFC]

Cheers for this thread, had a look at their team after reading this and had a punt on Sutton. Always nice to win with a bet against Leeds as well!

[idler]

Any sides playing a weaken team in the FA cup especially deserve all they get.

[Campsall rover]

Oh why oh why are so many clubs making a mockery of the FA Cup by playing 'reserve' teams.
It is a disgrace to what WAS a wonderful competition.
Something has to be done or the FA cup may as well not include almost all premier league teams and all championship teams who are looking for promotion.

[CrippyCooke]

I missed the last 15 or so minutes but what a fantastic performance from Sutton!

[Dutch Uncle]

Oh why oh why are so many clubs making a mockery of the FA Cup by playing 'reserve' teams.
It is a disgrace to what WAS a wonderful competition.
Something has to be done or the FA cup may as well not include almost all premier league teams and all championship teams who are looking for promotion.

I agree entirely Campsall

When you look at the measures taken to 'protect' the Checkatrade trophy from 'weakened' League 1 & 2 teams there is a real inconsistency, albeit across different ruling bodies (EFL, FA?).

[Crowle Rover]

It's great that all these smaller clubs like Lincoln,Sutton,Oxford,Millwall etc are having a good run in the cup

Unfortuanately though it'll still end up a Chelsea/Man City/Arsenal/Spurs final which has zero interest for me and presumably the majority of real football fans

[Prez]

Its gone for me the FA cup. Nobody gives a toss no more. Even Fergie played a weakened team at Oldham.

Growing up in the 80s it was one of the most important events on the football calendar. Used to love it and all the hype around the final itself.

I don't even bother watching the final no more.

Such a shame.

[RedJ]

Give the winner a Champions League spot. Then the big clubs will sit up and take note.

[glosterred]

Give the winner a Champions League spot. Then the big clubs will sit up and take note.

I thought they had

[Campsall rover]

Give the winner a Champions League spot. Then the big clubs will sit up and take note.

It will never happen I fear as UEFA will not sanction it.

[Campsall rover]

Its gone for me the FA cup. Nobody gives a toss no more. Even Fergie played a weakened team at Oldham.

Growing up in the 80s it was one of the most important events on the football calendar. Used to love it and all the hype around the final itself.

I don't even bother watch ing the final no more.

Such a shame.

It a football tragedy in my opinion.

[ballysbackin]

Bad day all round for Leeds, the Dons just scored a drop goal in last seconds...Doncaster 35  Leeds 34 

[drfchound]

If you were say, a Liverpool fan and paid to watch the game against Wolves then have to put up with watching a virtual reserve team get beaten, you would be furious, I know I would.
A friend of mine from Donny goes to all Liverpool games so his costs are far greater than just match tickets.
Clubs who have no interest in playing strong sides should be excused from entering the competition.
Leeds got what they deserved today too for doing the same thing and showing a massive lack of respect to Sutton.

[ballysbackin]

Again Hound I tend to agree with you.

[idler]

If you were say, a Liverpool fan and paid to watch the game against Wolves then have to put up with watching a virtual reserve team get beaten, you would be furious, I know I would.
A friend of mine from Donny goes to all Liverpool games so his costs are far greater than just match tickets.
Clubs who have no interest in playing strong sides should be excused from entering the competition.
Leeds got what they deserved today too for doing the same thing and showing a massive lack of respect to Sutton.

The list at half time on BBC showed how many teams that made a lot of changes came unstuck.  Spurs very nearly joined them as well.

[les@donr]

The Champions of Europe have lost to a non-league side, oh, how the mighty have fallen

[drfchound]

Leeds fans will say it was just their reserves and juniors but if they had won it would have been their reserves and juniors were too good for Sutton.
I am glad they got what they deserved.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

In many cases though, these reserve teams would cost a tidy penny. On paper, most of them should beat their opponents but football is a team game so it's the number of changes rather than the personnel.

Finances means the respective league performances are the priority which has devalued the FA Cup. Once the big showcase game of the season. Now, just one of many play off, finals, European matches that appear on TV screens in May.

[idler]

I've enjoyed watching Man U struggle against Oldham.
Cesar Romero in goal has been terrible, a joke.
Just been subbed as well.

[RedJ]

Give the winner a Champions League spot. Then the big clubs will sit up and take note.

I thought they had

They get a Europa League qualifying place, don't they? I think it may once have been a spot in the UCL but didn't it change after Millwall got to the final? (not to say they're interlinked).

Give the winner a Champions League spot. Then the big clubs will sit up and take note.

It will never happen I fear as UEFA will not sanction it.

Why not? Is it not down to the members to decide how they dole out their own qualifying places?

[RoversAlias]

I'm not actually sure it is. And the FA Cup spot has never led into the Champions League, only UEFA Cup/Europa League.