The FA Cup

[The White City General]

Getting a bored about reading about the same stuff on here about the wheels falling off our promotion push so I have lifted this from the Cardiff MB.


The FA are looking at making some changes to the cup.

Some have said about seading the top 10 in the prem league, making the FA cup a weeknight game instead of sat, getting rid of replays and giving the winner a place in the champions league.

It was brought up on Soccer Saturday, Do we need 2 cup's? How about getting rid of the Carling Cup or having the Carling cup final before Christmas and the FA cup final in April?

How about having the Carling cup just for the football league clubs and leaving the FA cup as it is?

Also read a comment about the Carling Cup becoming an U21 Cup?


Lets Discuss and mods try not to move.

[LoftusRoadLad]

Dont think they should change anything. Having been to Wembley 4 times with QPR , the build up to the finale is the greatest feeling in football . The whole of the Bush is decked out in blue and white never to be fogotten. And the march to wembley from SA road, yes walked all the way with a big mob stopping at all the pubs on the way.
Dont change anything.

[80sCasual]

That walk from Shepherds Bush to Wembley for the 82 Cup Final was a day i will never forget, totally agree keep it as it is.

The next time i walk there, i will be walking back as a winner.

[lymehoop]

I'm sure years ago when you bought a season ticket there was 3-4 complimentary cup tickets, these have been withdrawn in recent years through sheer greed from football clubs with the consequence attendances have plummeted, there are a load of faces that I don't see anymore in the SA stand and I put that down to the sharp increase Paladini brought in a few seasons back, I fear they may never return. I agree with LoftusLad not much needs changing, but 1 suggestion, for the Carling Cup regionise the early rounds and incorporate the Scottish League

[80sCasual]

I'm sure years ago when you bought a season ticket there was 3-4 complimentary cup tickets, these have been withdrawn in recent years through sheer greed from football clubs with the consequence attendances have plummeted, there are a load of faces that I don't see anymore in the SA stand and I put that down to the sharp increase Paladini brought in a few seasons back, I fear they may never return. I agree with LoftusLad not much needs changing, but 1 suggestion, for the Carling Cup regionise the early rounds and incorporate the Scottish League

Totally agree, as i mentioned in another thread only 7,515 at Wigan v Bolton last week - 4th Round Replay, but 2 top tier teams.

[The White City General]

Dont think they should change anything. Having been to Wembley 4 times with QPR , the build up to the finale is the greatest feeling in football . The whole of the Bush is decked out in blue and white never to be fogotten. And the march to wembley from SA road, yes walked all the way with a big mob stopping at all the pubs on the way.
Dont change anything.

But if they don't change something the competition will die, i quite like the thought of a Champions League place being up for grabs that would liven things up IMO.

[James1979]

But if they don't change something the competition will die, i quite like the thought of a Champions League place being up for grabs that would liven things up IMO.

I think a champions league spot is the best idea.....and also then get 3rd to 8th in prem to fight some sort of playoff for 1 champions league spot

[LoftusRoadLad]

Why not bring the old Euopean cup winners cup back

[EYR]

4th place and fa cup winners should play off for final cl spot.

[LoftusRoadLad]

4th place and fa cup winners should play off for final cl spot.

So Orient could play in the Champs League ? Naa!

[The White City General]

So Orient could play in the Champs League ? Naa!

Why not? Not being funny but it would be the only realistic chance QPR would have of reaching the CL. How good would it be to see the likes of Man City, Chelsea or Arsenal miss out to a provincial football club.

I don't even think it should be a Play Off with 4th spot either it should be the winner goes straight through, if one of the Top 3 teams wins it then 4th gets the last place.

It would be ****ing brilliant to see a Championship side nab a CL spot for winning the FA Cup. It would be a proper reward for taking the worlds oldest and most prestigious domestic cup competition seriously.

[QPR1976]

FA Cup -
Seeding ? No thanks.
Play during Midweek ? No, except replays. not enough SDat 3pm games as it is.
No Replay (presumably Pens) No, give smaller teams a chance of extra income.
Winners getting a place in Champions League ? YES, at least they've won something, rather than 4th in Premiership. Should encourage most teams to field strong sides as they 'could' qualify win just 6 wins. although, obviously less likely for the likes of Orient.

Another suggestion from Alan Green on R5 Live tonight was to make the highest placed team play Away ! Ridiculous. Especially if Lower placed team leapfrogs higher placed team between Draw & Cup Match. Silly idea.

Personally,keep it simple, leave it alone in the main, just rejuvenate interest by rewarding the Winners - I still miss the European Cup Winner Cup.

[G.T.P]

i used to love te fa cup, but i truly dont give a shite for it anymore.
this weekend has been so flat for me with the footie on tv. wouldnt care if we never won another game in it, well we never do anyway, but thats irrelevant.
its dead to me.
and the carling cup, well that aint even worth talking imo.

[RussRanger]

Both ITV and BBC should get coverage of the final.

Would love to turn on at 1130 on Cup Final day and watch the coaches being boarded and followed to Wembley, Player Profiles, Football Fun Spots and It's A Knockout (or A Fantasy Football League Show with Baddiel and Skinner?) Just like how it used to be when I was a kid ticking off what I wanted to watch on the tv guides. (Pre-video days )

I was proper up for it then. Now, I really can't be bothered.

[swanleyhoop]

Those were the days -- when cup final day was sacrosanct, the shopping had to be done as early as possible so as to be in for all the special programmes leading up to kick-off.
Much more exciting then -- a real calendar day.