sadoldgit Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 When I was a kid the F A Cup was a big deal. Since United decided not even to bother a few years back it seems to have gone downhill rapidly. We have gotten used to Prem teams fielding weakened side but now even 3rd tier clubs are at it. Okay, we got a result yesterday but if you leave out your better players you are basically saying the competition doesn't matter. We are never going to win it but a good cup run beating "better" teams used to give clubs such a lift - not to mention some welcome extra dosh. Now clubs are too scared of dropping out of the Prem or too intent on getting there that they don't worry about it any more. Sign of the times I guess but very sad all the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 There's too much live football on tele these days. There was a time when the cup final was just about the only match that you ever saw live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 Before the game yesterday I would have said yes. I wanted us to lose and focus on the league. After the performance though and the wonderful manner of the win I was on top of the world. The point of the cup became obvious to me again. It can still make you feel magical. The cup is still a powerful force. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY Saint Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 Adkins didn't even take it seriously. Wonder if it has anything to do with the prize not being either big enough for the big clubs to worry about it, and if it was its only likely to be won by the big clubs. I watched the Stevenage vs Newcastle game and Leicester vs. City and both Premier league sides were trying but didn't have full strength sides out. Trying to explain the concept of little clubs playing big clubs to Americans was almost as difficult as explaining cricket. "Professional players being risked against amateurs?" They love the idea of 'drama' of a small club winning though. Can't wait to see us two weeks back to back, assuming the United game is televised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merrimd Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 After the excitement in our house this afternoon as the draw was being made, i would say no, it is still there for us. Plus I really get the feeling that NA is the same. He gets very animated when interviewed about the cup and that is awesome to see. Also, did you here those sycophantic commentators today - " Sir Alex, always has a love for the fa cup". Jesus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croydonsaint Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 When I was a kid the F A Cup was a big deal. Since United decided not even to bother a few years back it seems to have gone downhill rapidly. We have gotten used to Prem teams fielding weakened side but now even 3rd tier clubs are at it. Okay, we got a result yesterday but if you leave out your better players you are basically saying the competition doesn't matter. We are never going to win it but a good cup run beating "better" teams used to give clubs such a lift - not to mention some welcome extra dosh. Now clubs are too scared of dropping out of the Prem or too intent on getting there that they don't worry about it any more. Sign of the times I guess but very sad all the same. Know what you mean, but its lost no magic for me. Winning yesterday and the thought of playing Man U at home. I will be smiling all week. With Llallana signing on friday, the likely prospect of Gauly signing, what a great time to be a saints fan again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 not lost its magic to me, we just could do with a big old away game, perhaps in London where a massive away support can roar the lads onto a massive giant killing, perhaps coming from behind or a late winner. A game like that and anyone attending will forever have the cup in their heart. Not quite fulfiling all those elements, but even the Millwall away game on the cup final run was pretty special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 When I was a kid the F A Cup was a big deal. Since United decided not even to bother a few years back it seems to have gone downhill rapidly. We have gotten used to Prem teams fielding weakened side but now even 3rd tier clubs are at it. When I was a kid we were taught proper English. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spudders Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 Still has some magic in my opinion. I do think it's a shame the semi final games are also played at Wembley, as I think that devalues the final itself. In my opinion they should have the Semis at the Millennium stadium and only the final at Wembley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 The media are asking the same questions. But I like his idea at the end! http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/fa-cup/8249072/Time-to-test-big-club-bluster-about-magic-of-FA-Cup.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorpG Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 Funny thing every one blames Man U for 'devaluing' the FA Cup. I think I am right in saying that Man U have won the cup more than just about any other team in the country suggesting they clearly take it pretty bloody seriously. However, because the FA / Premier League put pressure on them to play in the pointless World Club Championship, now it is entirely their fault the FA Cup is not what it is. I am no apologist for Man U, but I think the FA Cup being less than it once was has far more to do with the amount of money plugged into the Premier League and the expansion of the Champions League, which has simply made for more high profile games, making the FA cup very much 3rd place in the hierarchy of tournements worth winning. For me the FA Cup is great when we do something like we did yesterday, but by the time it gets to the Quarters / Semi Finals it loses something as the romantic side of the cup disappears once the big four or five teams mobilise their first team players and not their reserve teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CLOTH EARS Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 I think managers like Ian Holloway are allowing themselves to be brainwashed by money grabbing chairmen who are '**** scared' of losing the millions of pounds in TV money that their clubs would lose by being relegated from the PL.. A player who Holloway rested today 'could' end up getting injured next saturday in the Premier League!!! That would mean that resting him this week was a nonsense! In years past i remember managers using 15 or 16 players in ALL competitions through the whole season. How many players did saints use in 1976? I bet it was only 14 or 15 max. That would include the League Cup, the FA Cup and the League combined. There are people within the game nowadays with ulterior motives who want to see the FA Cup devalued. There are people within the media who want us brainwashed into thinking that the Premier League is the be all and end all of our football.... IT IS NOT.....the FA Cup still has a HUGE part to play in English football!!! The FA Cup is the greatest cup competition in the world. We must not allow ourselves to be drawn into thinking that its not what it used to be! The FA Cup IS part of our fabric, it is a competition that gives factory workers, Postmen and bricklayers the opportunity to play against their heroes, it gives the underdog a chance to overcome massive odds on their day. THERE HAVE BEEN AROUND FIVE UPSETS TODAY........THAT IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT!!! This wonderful competition will NEVER be devalued in my eyes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 In case anyone is interested in money, Saints get £67,500 for winning yesterday, fourth round winners get £90,000. TV money for a live broadcast third round tie was £144,000 to each club, fourth round would be more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 In case anyone is interested in money, Saints get £67,500 for winning yesterday, fourth round winners get £90,000. TV money for a live broadcast third round tie was £144,000 to each club, fourth round would be more. That'll cover Charlie Austin's annual bar bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corsacar saint Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 Yes,it has diminished in stature over the years. Very few of the top teams take it seriously any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junction 9 Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 In my opinion the FA cup was never quite the same after the European cup was replaced with the Champions league format. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micky Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 Funny thing every one blames Man U for 'devaluing' the FA Cup. I think I am right in saying that Man U have won the cup more than just about any other team in the country suggesting they clearly take it pretty bloody seriously. However, because the FA / Premier League put pressure on them to play in the pointless World Club Championship, now it is entirely their fault the FA Cup is not what it is. I am no apologist for Man U, but I think the FA Cup being less than it once was has far more to do with the amount of money plugged into the Premier League and the expansion of the Champions League, which has simply made for more high profile games, making the FA cup very much 3rd place in the hierarchy of tournements worth winning. For me the FA Cup is great when we do something like we did yesterday, but by the time it gets to the Quarters / Semi Finals it loses something as the romantic side of the cup disappears once the big four or five teams mobilise their first team players and not their reserve teams. This. Plus the point made earlier about the semi finals being played at Wembley - there are more than enough decent sized stadiums to host those games. Wembley is a magical experience that should be reserved for the final only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 (a) I still think it's a 'magical' tournament (b) I wouldn't have been unhappy if Saints had gone out yesterday © I was excited when we won yesterday (d) I was excited by the draw today (e) I will not be unhappy if we go out to Utd in the next round (f) I will be excited if we beat Utd in the next round None of these statements are mutually exclusive, contrary to some of the opinions on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenilworthy Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 It's hard to explain to young people now just how important the FA Cup was. And that winning the final was in many ways more prestigious than winning the league title. In my view, the FA Cup has suffered from a general erosion of the things that made it special. For example a draw on a Saturday was followed by a replay on Tuesday or Wednesday that was really an extension of the first game. Now there is such a long break between the games that the feeling isn't carried over. Also, the introduction of penalties has allowed teams to use defending and drawing as a method of progress. There was also something magnificent about the idea of teams keeping playing each other until the tie was settled, although in reality multiple replays rarely happened - I only experienced one second replay, in 1978. Playing semi-finals at Wembley has also devalued the competition. There was also the mad idea a few seasons back of the final not being the climax to the season, so that the last day of the season was the last league game - remember in 2001 we played Arsenal the Dell the week after they had lost the cup final. Something else that devalued the competition was allowing small teams drawn at home to switch their tie, effectively selling the chance of winning for a slice of a large gate. I think it could be reclaimed with the right treatment. One thing I would love to happen is to stop teams from the top two divisions getting a bye to round three and putiing all league teams into the hat for round one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 Yes it has. Thanks to the PL and Champions League. Time once was that I would have accepted relegation if we won the FAC. Now I would gladly sacrifice our place if it helps our promotion campaign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 It is still magic to me but it has changed. I think its easy to blame the premiership, champions league etc but its something much more important than that. It not been the same since they stopped the FA Cup "It's a knock out" The FA Cup final was one of the very few chances players got to play at Wembley - no semi finals there or play offs. We didn't have live league football so was one of the few chances to see a 90 min club game. It was televised throughout the world. It was more special, mainly to the all morning build up with its a knock out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Badger Posted 9 January, 2011 Share Posted 9 January, 2011 Agree with much of this: It's hard to explain to young people now just how important the FA Cup was. In my view, the FA Cup has suffered from a general erosion of the things that made it special. For example a draw on a Saturday was followed by a replay on Tuesday or Wednesday that was really an extension of the first game. Now there is such a long break between the games that the feeling isn't carried over. Also, the introduction of penalties has allowed teams to use defending and drawing as a method of progress. There was also something magnificent about the idea of teams keeping playing each other until the tie was settled, although in reality multiple replays rarely happened - I only experienced one second replay, in 1978. Playing semi-finals at Wembley has also devalued the competition. Something else that devalued the competition was allowing small teams drawn at home to switch their tie, effectively selling the chance of winning for a slice of a large gate. . In addition to this though, there used to be a fantastic mystique to the FA Cup brought about by the draw on a Monday lunchtime. After a win , you could spend all Sunday,and Monday morning building up the expectation of who would be next,home or away. My son called out to me about the mancs at home,and I thought he was joking as Leicester were - to my knowledge - still playing.But seemingly not. There was also the excitement of radio access into Lancaster gate for the draw,always conducted in a reverent and dignified way. "Mr Lionel Smart will draw the balls for the home team..". Compare that to the way ITV have to either wheel out a couple of old has beens to make the draw, and then have Rosenthal or some other tw^t make a really grovelling interview of them . Even worse ITV have really prostituted the competition, with so called celebs making the draw...Liam (or the other)Gallagher and some long haired c^nt made the draw for the 3rd round. Thank Christ Jade Goody is no longer with us or perhaps she'd be invited to make the draw. Too much football on TV has no doubt detracted from the FA Cup, as someone else said for along time the Final was the only match shown live. In my opinion the FA cup was never quite the same after the European cup was replaced with the Champions league format. Yes, the greed factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 9 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 9 January, 2011 Perhaps if there was a Champions league place at stake clubs would take it more seriously? Also I think that the semi's being played at Wembley too devalues the day itself. Shame really but at least we are still in it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 10 January, 2011 Share Posted 10 January, 2011 When I was a kid the F A Cup was a big deal. Question was : Has the FA Cup lost its magic ? Answer : after seeing our fourth round draw , the answer is ...NO !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellman Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 Don't tell antone in Stevenage the Cup has lost its magic, they wont believe you, only the FA Cup gives the minnows a look-in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Mullet Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 It's a fantastic cup. It also gives some of the clubs with larger squads a chance to rotate things and play younger players which IMO is a good thing - look how Bart and Morgan performed on Saturday for example. Money in football at the moment is heavily geared towards league standings which means that the League is more important to the club's owners but I reckon most managers and players would still take an average season in return for a day out in May at Wembley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paris Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 I think yes some of the magic has gone , having said that i watched the Arsenal v Leeds & Leicester v City and found them both to be very entertaining especially the latter ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junior Mullet Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 This. Plus the point made earlier about the semi finals being played at Wembley - there are more than enough decent sized stadiums to host those games. Wembley is a magical experience that should be reserved for the final only. All down to money again mate - Wembley need the revenue after the massive overspend on the stadium. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedAndWhite91 Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 11 million watched the 1997 final - Chelsea and Middlesbrough. Arsenal v Chelsea in 2002 had 6.3 million viewers. Only 5.6 million watched last year's P*rtsmouth v Cardiff final. Statistics seems to suggest viewing figures are dwindling, but I don't believe the FA Cup has lost it's magic, certainly not for me anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 11 million watched the 1997 final - Chelsea and Middlesbrough. Arsenal v Chelsea in 2002 had 6.3 million viewers. Only 5.6 million watched last year's P*rtsmouth v Cardiff final. Statistics seems to suggest viewing figures are dwindling, but I don't believe the FA Cup has lost it's magic, certainly not for me anyway. It doesn't help that it's on ITV now. The most awful dumbed down lowest common denominator b*llocks you could ever expect. A lot of people prefer to watch these games in a pub atmosphere too. So less viewers at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocco boxo Posted 11 January, 2011 Share Posted 11 January, 2011 If Saints beat Utd I think home or away we will sell out. Magic is still alive in Southampton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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