The first two rounds of the FA Cup have been pretty uninspiring and it’s something that can be explained by the removal of replays argues Rob Fielding.
Rob Fielding writes…
The FA Cup has been pretty boring so far hasn’t it? The lack of non-league clubs in the third round draw and the dearth of upsets can be easily explained by the FA’s removal of replays. It’s worth noting that this request came at the bequest of the poor Premier League clubs whose fifty odd strong squads were getting tired with replays, bless ’em.
Remarkably, removing replays from rounds one and two has not really solved this as erm… the Premier League don’t actually come in till round three! Equally remarkably, the Premier League managed to summon up enough energy to play multiple lucrative “tournaments” in the summer despite their wish to lower the workload for their players. Anyhow, the effect of games being played to a conclusion on the day is that there are just two non-league participants – Tamworth and Dagenham & Redbridge – in the third round.
Port Vale’s famous win over Everton was in an FA Cup replay
It’s worth remembering that many of Vale’s greatest moments came in the FA Cup – and more specifically after replays. The list includes the win over top-flight Derby (an away win after a home draw) and Southampton (a home win after an away draw), the Valentine’s Day massacre replay win over Everton (which followed a dramatic draw at Goodison) plus the loss to Arsenal on penalties (which came after a stunning goalless draw at Highbury). Furthermore, it’s not just Vale who benefit from the replays. We have been knocked out ourselves courtesy of replays – the loss to Chasetown was a second round replay, Yeovil’s win in 2017 was also after a replay as was the infamous loss to Enfield in 1981.
Sadly, these sorts of results are now consigned to the history books apparently by a combination of greed, self-interest and interference. I suspect the third round will be as free of upsets as the previous two and with it the romance of the cup is deeply diminished. The Premier League moneybags have already, in many fans’ eyes, destroyed the integrity of the Football League Trophy (note the first two words of the competition name) by getting Premier League U21 teams (yep, they should have nothing to do with the “Football League” Trophy) added in exchange for much increased prize money. It now seems that their decision to give the FA millions in return for removing replays is having the same effect on the much loved FA Cup.
Shame on those who caused the cup rules to change.
I had the good fortune to attend most of the games mentioned. You missed Spurs —amazing day !
I attended this years game v Barnsley.
Poor attendance —a bit of a damp squib in comparison with what has gone before.
One just wonders how many English ( UK ) players and managers there are in the premier league
Hi @Andzej Surawy – just to clarify on the games I mentioned. I used examples of replays wheras the Spurs game wasn’t a replay. Nevertheless, you’re right it was an amazing cup upset – and one we may not see again if there’s any more messing with the cup competitions.
FA & LEAGUE HAVE F**KED FOOTBALL UP ITS NOW A FORM OF.WWWRESTLING FOR CHEATS &GREED
Ok IF YOU DONT WANT TO PUBLISH THE TRUTH SO BE IT
@Syd Lawton 1) Why would we disagree with you when our column is arguing those very points 2) Please note comments don’t appear instantly and will be published once we’ve read and approved them. We’re not on here every second of the day! 🙂
Yes I remember the arsenal tie what games they were
T.V. Money, a long with the so called big clubs have ruined the greatest cup competition in the world. FA Cup weekends were always the most eagerly awaited weekends of the season, and would also usually be every clubs largest gate of the season. However with T.V. Companies now running the game that is sadly no more. The mass influx of foreign owners has also not helped as the history and tradition of the cup has also been lost in a world where only money matters. Whilst the main blame can be laid at the feet of the T.V. Companies and the self acclaimed big boys one has to take a look closer home. Mr Moore has twice turned out weaken teams that possibly lead to early exits from both domestic cup competitions, which in turn denied the club much needed finances with home games against Derby and Bristol Rovers, then possibly away games against Chelsea and Ipswich. It’s a world I don’t understand any more.
Rob, you mention the Football League Trophy and that the Premier League clubs should not really be involved in it. I would argue the same goes with the EFL Cup which some of the Premier League clubs treat with little respect until the later rounds. Having said that, we also seemed to treat both cups lightly this season by fielding weakened sides.
Thanks @Philip Goodwin – I agree on the League Cup comment.
I recall beating Hull in a replay on a Monday night after a draw at their place on the previous Saturday.
I’m sure they were a league above us and I’m also sure it let to a home tie against Burnley.
Again above us and I think we beat them 2-1 then got beaten 3-0 at Villa ?
Personally I think th F.A. Cup started to be devalued when the F.A. started Semi-Finals being played at Wembley.
Before then the semis were more important than the final itself because the ultimate goal was to get to Wembley.
I know many Stoke fans didn’t go to the Final v Man City because they had already been v Bolton and that, and the sheer cost put them off.
The great bernie slavens last game,(i think)against southampton to which he netted the only goal was the one for me,a gem of a player,brought in by a gem of a manager
Of course the FA cup has been destroyed. Unless it’s a game against non league opponents and on TV the these games are now of secondary importance. Years ago you would be putting out your best teams but now it’s a match that is marginally more important than the paint pot or whatever it is these days. It breaks my heart that the FA Cup is what it is now, but whatever can we do? Premier league have ruined it.