FA Cup: Redux

[Syme]

A lot has been made in recent years of clubs failing to give the competition the 'respect' it deserves and of the cup having lost its 'magic'.

Well, it's certainly come back with a bang this year. Non league Sutton and Lincoln doing the National League huge credit, and a final four of Arsenal, Spurs, Man City and Chelsea/Man Utd.

[not on facebook]

This must be the best semi final match up for some years ,with arsenal looking the weakest team as things stand today.

[Bristol Red Rover]

... a final four of Arsenal, Spurs, Man City and Chelsea/Man Utd.

I get your point, but having those 5 is as yawnsville as it gets for me.

[GazLaz]

The best 5 teams are in the last 5 of the competition. That's how it should be.

[Bristol Red Rover]

The best 5 teams are in the last 5 of the competition. That's how it should be.

No, it's the cup, a different kind of game than the league. When was the last time the top 4 were in the quarter finals?

[not on facebook]

I can't recall last time top 4/5/6 were all in semi finals of facup.

Surely it must have happened in my life time.

[Syme]

... a final four of Arsenal, Spurs, Man City and Chelsea/Man Utd.

I get your point, but having those 5 is as yawnsville as it gets for me.

All about personal tastes - but as an indicator of the value the big team are putting on the competition I'd say it was quite refeshing.

[GazLaz]

The top 6 are a so much better than the rest this season in the prem. I think the rest, bar Everton, are pretty poor this season. A lot or the lesser prem teams fielded weakened sides in the cup as well.

[RedJ]

Hopefully this is the season Bournemouth are relegated.

[not on facebook]

Been to Bournemouth twice for the weekend .

1st time was when rovers played them at dean court in facup 1st round proper I think it was .

Stayed Friday and Saturday came back Sunday and did not see one Bournemouth club shirt on the Friday day of night or even Saturday day.

Saw my first shirt when getting closer to the ground before kick off.

Some 13 or so years later
went back to Bournemouth last august for the air show with me kid.
Was there Thursday  ,Friday. Saturday and left Sunday after the show
and I saw no end of Bournemouth shirts both day and night times knocking about all over the place.

Kids,dads,mums and granddads were all wearing them ,even workers in the service trade.

Like to think the exact same effect would happen in Doncaster when rovers get into the prem.

[The Red Baron]

The top 6 are a so much better than the rest this season in the prem. I think the rest, bar Everton, are pretty poor this season. A lot or the lesser prem teams fielded weakened sides in the cup as well.

The top six also have such strength in depth that they can rotate players and still win. If someone like Bournemouth or Leicester do that then their teams aren't that much better than a League One side.

Liverpool are the exception but they put out much weaker sides in both of their ties than say, Man United, have done.

[NickDRFC]

The top 6 are a so much better than the rest this season in the prem. I think the rest, bar Everton, are pretty poor this season. A lot or the lesser prem teams fielded weakened sides in the cup as well.

The top six also have such strength in depth that they can rotate players and still win. If someone like Bournemouth or Leicester do that then their teams aren't that much better than a League One side.

Liverpool are the exception but they put out much weaker sides in both of their ties than say, Man United, have done.

Not sure I quite agree with that - Liverpool & Spurs are both severely lacking in squad depth in certain areas, more so than some of the mid-table Prem teams.