How to 'save' the FA Cup?

[rascal]

A current theme on BBC Radio 5 Live, how to save the Cup?

I don't think it needs much saving to be honest, the only teams from what I have noticed who have been playing weakened sides are the relegation threatened. The rest are all playing sides which it seems on paper are strong enough to progress.

One suggestion has been to award the cup winners with a Champions League spot. Obviously that's a fully retarded suggestion, just rob the team that slogged it out for 38 games a season of their reward and give it to a team that only turned up in 6 games? Not for me thanks. Most sensible resolution from that would be a two-legged playoff between the team finishing fourth and the cup winner. That wouldn't be too bad, obviously if the cup winner finished in the top four anyway (as they have done 14 out of 18 times since our win in 95) then there wouldn't be a need for that.

Another option, given that it is relegation threatened sides who this season have shown disdain for the cup, would be for a Wigan to have a two-legged playoff against the team finishing 17th. Winner stays up.

 

[Pat's Van]

wigan got relegated last season though

 

[steken1]

The demise of the cup is a media myth IMO.

Leave it alone

 

[rascal]

wigan got relegated last season though

That's what I meant by 'a Wigan' using them as an example.

 

[roydo]

Getting it back on BBC would be a start.

ITV coverage and match choosing is woeful. I mean, Chelsea v Stoke for heavens sake.

I am with the OP for the CL idea. No chance that should happen.

But with so much cash at stake in the PL/CL, it will always be second fiddle I am afraid.

 

[daza_1973]

There is no demise - just bitterness from the media as their main darlings Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool etc haven't won it for yonks.

 

[toffeejack]

come on we had relegated wigan beating this years champions elect and one of the richest clubs in the world in last season's final! there's nothing wrong with the cup, couple of rounds with no real shocks (sheff utd beating fulham atm mind you) and they say it's not magical???

there's still magic in a team like stevenage pitting their whits against us. no other cup competition in the world will see as much shocks as the FA Cup. Everyone still values it very highly.

 

[Furey1878]

Bring back the Cup Winner's Cup I say!

 

[toffeejack]

Getting it back on BBC would be a start.

ITV coverage and match choosing is woeful. I mean, Chelsea v Stoke for heavens sake.

I am with the OP for the CL idea. No chance that should happen.

But with so much cash at stake in the PL/CL, it will always be second fiddle I am afraid.

yeah that is a shambolic choice. mourinho takes every competiton seriously, it's a home banker!

should have had sland vs kiddie on or southend vs hull

 

[Furey1878]

come on we had relegated wigan beating this years champions elect and one of the richest clubs in the world in last season's final! there's nothing wrong with the cup, couple of rounds with no real shocks (sheff utd beating fulham atm mind you) and they say it's not magical???

there's still magic in a team like stevenage pitting their whits against us. no other cup competition in the world will see as much shocks as the FA Cup. Everyone still values it very highly.

Exactly, the FA Cup is what I look forward to most every season.

 

[roydo]

Bring back the Cup Winner's Cup I say!

So. Much. This.

 

[toffeejack]

Bring back the Cup Winner's Cup I say!

and this. restrict the number of CL teams, europa takes those teams from CL and have a cup winner's cup.

tuesday, wednesday and thursdays alternating over a fortnight - simples. think players being overworn is a myth.

 

[rascal]

and this. restrict the number of CL teams, europa takes those teams from CL and have a cup winner's cup.

tuesday, wednesday and thursdays alternating over a fortnight - simples. think players being overworn is a myth.

I agree with this. Restrict entry to the CL to only two teams per country. Perhaps have the winner of the secondary European tournament given entry into the CL, but not at anyone else's cost.

 

[toffeejack]

I agree with this. Restrict entry to the CL to only two teams per country.

yep. not going to go into it again because i made a massive post about my ideal structure a couple of months back ha, but the 4th best team in a league competing in a "champions" league?? not for me. 2 is fine to make it more interesting, so we don't lose the majority of the big guns because otherwise it would basically be between england, spain, italy and germany every year.

 

[Titus Bramble]

Semi finals at a neutral ground, only the final at wembley.

The final should be a 3 o'clock kick off on Saturday and the last game of the domestic season.

Other than that it's boss.