FA Cup - season 2024-25

[Mattyblue]

The compromise should’ve been no replays but no extra time either - like the League Cup.

Tottenham were always going to pull away in Extra Time against semi pros… but straight to a shoot out, anything can happen.

Edited January 13 by Mattyblue

[wilsdenrover]

5 hours ago, Eddie said:

It may be a break with tradition, but I love the fact that the replays have been ditched.

There's just too much football now and there's no need to add extra fixtures in. I also think it gives smaller sides a much better chance. If we were to play City, do you think we have a better chance in 30 extra minutes or if we have to start from scratch (and they may pick a stronger side second time around). 

Not only that, as a neutral, there were matches I then tuned in for this weekend that I wouldn't have under the old system as they were level and heading towards extra time. 

I think people’s issues with the removal of replays (well certainly mine) aren’t really related to the change of likelihood of the underdog winning.

It’s more to do with the removal (as seen yesterday) of a non league club’s opportunity to earn a money spinning (future changing) replay at a PL ground.

With regard to too much football, again for me, the issue is these extra games are either meaningless internationals or additional European ones (whose intent is just to make the rich clubs richer).

 

 

 

 

Edited January 13 by wilsdenrover

[Mattyblue]

You can get rid of at least two international breaks for a start.

The extra games provided by the ESL by the back door (as UEFA folded just as the mega clubs were on the back foot), I.e. the nonsense that is the Champions League ‘Swiss model’ ain’t going anywhere, alas.

[RevidgeBlue]

5 hours ago, Eddie said:

It may be a break with tradition, but I love the fact that the replays have been ditched.

There's just too much football now and there's no need to add extra fixtures in. I also think it gives smaller sides a much better chance. If we were to play City, do you think we have a better chance in 30 extra minutes or if we have to start from scratch (and they may pick a stronger side second time around). 

Not only that, as a neutral, there were matches I then tuned in for this weekend that I wouldn't have under the old system as they were level and heading towards extra time. 

So basically, you don't give a toss that Tamworth were deprived of the replay and the vast amounts of money (for them) they deserved yesterday?

If it was us, we've also got less chance of holding out against City for 120 mins than 90.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

6 hours ago, bluebruce said:

Worst kind of draw for me. A lesser Prem team but still with a deeper squad of quality than we can muster, so can likely rest players and still field a much stronger side. We can't rest many unless we are fine to exit the cup. Not one of the glamorous sides, so unlikely to attract a big gate, and any casual fans that go get drawn in for a dose are likely to just see us lose. If you do get one of the more glamorous sides away it can be a nice wedge.

Basically, they'll probably beat us, and we'll probably have most of our first team giving their all and wearing themselves out at the start of a congested fixture run. There's the prospect of a higher league scalp, sure, but not one of the really rewarding ones. Only get 45% of the gate on what will be a modest crowd. The sold out away end you mentioned probably means more need for policing if it happens.

I always want a home game against lower league opponents. More chance of progression, chance to rest knackered players, and the opportunity for some of the younger players to cut their teeth or fringe players to make their case. Course, we managed to balls it up in the EFL Cup against Blackpool, but that shouldn't have happened.

Totally agree on the bullshit of the elites robbing lower league teams of life-giving replays just to save themselves a match. Then they turn around and refuse to give decent solidarity down the leagues even though their money pot is creating intense downwards pressure on wages.

The way our defence is playing we’ve always got a chance whoever we are playing. The players will be fancying their chances I’m sure.

[Mattyblue]

Watched a bit of their tie with Bristol City, one place below us in the table. They carved them open at will at times, but to be fair they stayed in the game.

It’s the speed in which they move the ball as much as the players themselves being quick that is the big difference.

[MarkBRFC]

13 hours ago, superniko said:

Can’t see it being a TV game. 
Not a ‘big 6 club’ and not that ‘underdog story’. 
Pretty boring draw IMO, but glad to be at home

Can't see it being on ITV/BBC, but International TV opens it up to be on at any time.

Could be Thursday night, or Saturday/Sunday at 6pm.

[Mattyblue]

How many of the 16 ties will actually kick off at Saturday 3pm? Four?

[superniko]

23 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

Can't see it being on ITV/BBC, but International TV opens it up to be on at any time.

Could be Thursday night, or Saturday/Sunday at 6pm.

Ah yeah, sorry I meant in the traditional sense. Probably odds on it gets moved to some ridiculous time (see Cardiff travelling to Sheffield on a Thursday night!) - I'm sure the audience abroad were on the edge of their seat for that clash though.

[MarkBRFC]

33 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

How many of the 16 ties will actually kick off at Saturday 3pm? Four?

Be amazed if it's any more than that.

Only ones I can see that you would think would be 3pm kick offs are Preston/Charlton vs Wycombe & Southampton vs Burnley.

Even Stoke/Cardiff will have some daft kick off time due to BBC Wales.

[GHR]

1 hour ago, superniko said:

Ah yeah, sorry I meant in the traditional sense. Probably odds on it gets moved to some ridiculous time (see Cardiff travelling to Sheffield on a Thursday night!) - I'm sure the audience abroad were on the edge of their seat for that clash though.

You mock, but all the kids in Windhoek and Bishkek who grew up dreaming of Robbie Earnshaw and Paddy Kenny will have had a night to remember. That's the real Magic of the Cup right there.

Edited January 13 by GHR

[roverandout]

Notice all the big clubs get easy ties

[Eddie]

3 hours ago, RevidgeBlue said:

So basically, you don't give a toss that Tamworth were deprived of the replay and the vast amounts of money (for them) they deserved yesterday?

If it was us, we've also got less chance of holding out against City for 120 mins than 90.

Well, it's not that I don't 'give a toss' - although I don't really care about Tamworth - but my enjoyment of football isn't driven by the concept that a smaller club is getting a payday.

You could easily offset this loss of revenue by offering League 1/2/non league clubs a bonus for taking a tie to extra time.

Easy fix if that is the biggest reason for keeping replays. 

[Eddie]

3 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

You can get rid of at least two international breaks for a start.

The extra games provided by the ESL by the back door (as UEFA folded just as the mega clubs were on the back foot), I.e. the nonsense that is the Champions League ‘Swiss model’ ain’t going anywhere, alas.

That might reduce the load on some players, but it doesn't ease the actual fixture congestion or the challenge of fitting matches in. Easy enough for this round, but a lot tougher when European fixtures come back.

 

[magicalmortensleftpeg]

As a fan, I much prefer going to a game knowing there will be a result rather than have the possibility of the game being replayed. Look at the West Ham game in the league cup a couple of seasons ago. A great night.

Yes some of the romance is lost but it’s a sporting competition first of all, not a charity. Who would have wanted a replay if we’d drawn with Boro?

[Eddie]

7 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

The compromise should’ve been no replays but no extra time either - like the League Cup.

Tottenham were always going to pull away in Extra Time against semi pros… but straight to a shoot out, anything can happen.

Don't disagree with that. I much prefer a penalty shootout over 30 minutes of added time anyway. 

Could have at least made it golden goal to add a bit more excitement (I know that history shows us that this makes teams more conservative). But it would have at least added some spice to the extra time. 

[RevidgeBlue]

1 hour ago, Eddie said:

You could easily offset this loss of revenue by offering League 1/2/non league clubs a bonus for taking a tie to extra time.

Easy fix if that is the biggest reason for keeping replays. 

Pretty sure you couldn't do that, it would be open to all kinds of abuse.

[RevidgeBlue]

7 hours ago, Mattyblue said:

The compromise should’ve been no replays but no extra time either - like the League Cup.

That's not that much of a carrot for the lesser sides.

No replays where 2 teams are playing each other from the same division?

[Herbie6590]

From the archive on here

 

 

[Mattyblue]

1 hour ago, RevidgeBlue said:

That's not that much of a carrot for the lesser sides.

 

I’m not saying it’s ideal, but replays were going, the elite had decreed it, but why couldn’t it have been straight to a shoot out like the League Cup?

[RevidgeBlue]

2 minutes ago, Mattyblue said:

I’m not saying it’s ideal, but replays were going, the elite had decreed it, but why couldn’t it have been straight to a shoot out like the League Cup?

No I agree with that IF you're going to scrap replays (which I disagree strongly with in the first place)

[Eddie]

1 hour ago, RevidgeBlue said:

That's not that much of a carrot for the lesser sides.

No replays where 2 teams are playing each other from the same division?

How much are two league two sides making from a replay?

The big argument for why you make so much money is the sell-out crowd (or the revenue split from an away match) and the potential TV money.

You're clutching at straws a bit if the argument is that the replay would be useful cash boost for two sides in the lower leagues playing against each other. Wouldn't surprise me if they almost lose money on hosting the additional fixture in that situation. 

[RevidgeBlue]

22 minutes ago, Eddie said:

How much are two league two sides making from a replay?

The big argument for why you make so much money is the sell-out crowd (or the revenue split from an away match) and the potential TV money.

You're clutching at straws a bit if the argument is that the replay would be useful cash boost for two sides in the lower leagues playing against each other. Wouldn't surprise me if they almost lose money on hosting the additional fixture in that situation. 

Obviously not all replays are massive money spinners but not many ( if any) ties should result in a loss and it  was worth it for the lower league sides for the outside chance of a jackpot.

They scrapped unlimited replays to go to a maximum of one replay, which was probably sensible, and should have left it at that.

So what if you think there's too much football? It's not compulsory, you don't have to watch it!

I don't care for Palace against Wolves on a Monday night particularly or anything at all in the Champions League before the knock out stages. There's always an off button though, again don't have to watch it.

 

[Eddie]

30 minutes ago, RevidgeBlue said:

Obviously not all replays are massive money spinners but not many ( if any) ties should result in a loss and it  was worth it for the lower league sides for the outside chance of a jackpot.

They scrapped unlimited replays to go to a maximum of one replay, which was probably sensible, and should have left it at that.

So what if you think there's too much football? It's not compulsory, you don't have to watch it!

I don't care for Palace against Wolves on a Monday night particularly or anything at all in the Champions League before the knock out stages. There's always an off button though, again don't have to watch it.

 

'Probably sensible'. You're right, we should still be having 5 replays and derailing our entire season if we can't find a winner against Boro in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.

Few arguments are weaker than 'you don't have to watch it' whilst also expressing - and seemingly really valuing - your own opinion on the same subject. I know that not everyone will agree with me, but my opinion is equally valid and can't just be dismissed by 'if you don't like it, go elsewhere'. If that's your logic, the footballing world has spoken, so find something else to discuss.

You've also switched there. I proposed a solution (albeit one that would never be enacted) where lower league clubs could be rewarded for forcing extra time as a result of their potential lost revenue. You then countered with 'wHaT aBoUt tWo sMaLl ClUbS?!?' and when I pointed out that these matches probably aren't big money makers you've switched back to 'bUt RePlAyS wItH bIg CluBs MaKe MonEy'.

I certainly didn't want a replay against Boro. Did you? Honest question. Do you think the majority on here would have? 

Yes, it's a loss of revenue for some clubs (could be fixed) and yes it's a shame for players who could have the biggest days of their lives (say the Tamworth players getting to go to Spurs stadium and that can't be fixed), but the real argument for having replays is because 'that's how we always did it'. And that's just not good enough.

 

[RevidgeBlue]

1 hour ago, Eddie said:

'Probably sensible'. You're right, we should still be having 5 replays and derailing our entire season if we can't find a winner against Boro in the 3rd round of the FA Cup.

Few arguments are weaker than 'you don't have to watch it' whilst also expressing - and seemingly really valuing - your own opinion on the same subject. I know that not everyone will agree with me, but my opinion is equally valid and can't just be dismissed by 'if you don't like it, go elsewhere'. If that's your logic, the footballing world has spoken, so find something else to discuss.

You've also switched there. I proposed a solution (albeit one that would never be enacted) where lower league clubs could be rewarded for forcing extra time as a result of their potential lost revenue. You then countered with 'wHaT aBoUt tWo sMaLl ClUbS?!?' and when I pointed out that these matches probably aren't big money makers you've switched back to 'bUt RePlAyS wItH bIg CluBs MaKe MonEy'.

I certainly didn't want a replay against Boro. Did you? Honest question. Do you think the majority on here would have? 

Yes, it's a loss of revenue for some clubs (could be fixed) and yes it's a shame for players who could have the biggest days of their lives (say the Tamworth players getting to go to Spurs stadium and that can't be fixed), but the real argument for having replays is because 'that's how we always did it'. And that's just not good enough.

 

I wouldn't have minded a replay against Boro. Why should I?

Don't suppose the the manager or players would be too keen but tough. Win the game at the first time of asking then.