Gareth Roberts is joined by Rob Gutmann, Steve Graves, Jay McKenna and Dan Austin to discuss The FA Cup in 2018.
What is the competition’s status now and why isn’t it what it once was? Is it dead, is it dying and can it be revived? And following the memorable third-round victory over Everton, how seriously should Liverpool be taking it having drawn West Brom at Anfield in round four?
The Big Question is a new weekly show for TAW Player tackling a topical aspect of football that’s causing debate among fans.
good show that – I guess it leads on to one around a European Super League – yes or no?
Oh Robert (Seymour) Gutmann! Ipswich were definitely NOT “crap”. For a 3-5 year period they had a pretty brilliant squad. Kevin Beattie, Arnold Muhren, Franz Thijssen, John Wark, Eric Gates, Paul Mariner, Terry Butcher, Mick Mills, George Burley, Allan Hunter, all played during that period. I know what you mean about the cup being a great leveller but I would definitely not class that Ipswich side (which also won the EUFA cup when it was an important trophy, and were league runners up) in a similar bracket to Coventry and West Ham.
Here’s one for ya that I’ve just thought of around 43mins in (I’d have posted in the group but for whatever is going on there). Never heard anyone else come up with this idea (i.e. so I haven’t heard the counter, not “wow I’m a genius”).
A 10 point bonus for winning the cup should you finish outside of the European (no jumping from Europa into the top four) or playoff spots, so you could push someone else out of Europe or the playoffs. Or escape relegation.
That incentives you to still keep a steady pace in the league as you wanna be in touching distance.
The top six take it seriously anyway, it’s everyone below them, down to most if not all championship teams that are the issue – looking to secure PL status for the following season.
I probably won’t see the replies, so tell me why I’m wrong on twitter, I guess. (Unless TAW gives email notifications for those)
Let it die with dignity rather than try to glamorize it with outside incentives. This annual discussion always begins with middle aged people going on about the novelty of a televised match, or a previous generation of footballers saying it was their chief ambition. In other words, it’s outdated. It still has it’s charms-every neutral loves a giant killing- but it doesn’t need restoring to some pinnacle. Just let it be a 2nd rate footballing event that doesn’t mean the world to the biggest clubs, means more to the smaller, and gets plenty of attention world wide nonetheless.
Ultimately it all boils down to money. With the ridiculous increase in wage and transfer inflation over the years, the importance of making money to afford them is paramount in owner’s minds, so pressure is on managers of the biggest clubs to prioritise the Top four and Champions League over domestic cups, and those in charge of smaller clubs to ensure Premier League survival. This leads to weakened teams being fielded, especially with the placement of the 3rd round being so soon after the grueling Christmas schedule.
The only way to fix it is dramatically increase prize money and move the 3rd round so that there is a longer break after the Christmas schedule to give players a break. That way owners will be more inclined to take it seriously and managers will be less hesitant to field full strength teams.
Excellent discussion that. It IS just down to money so the only way to save it is to chuck a lot more wonga at it – and as Gareth says it would transform clubs like Preccy Cables and make it literally worth more to league sides.
A trophy is a trophy and by devaluing this cup your devaluing the club. We exist as fans for winning not the club gaining money we’ll never ever ever see. FA Cup go for it each and every year, can never win too many trophies.