BIG SHOCK

or a sign of the times. Minnows beating some of the bigger clubs during this weekend. Would be considered massive upsets years back, but not particularly surprising any more due to the attitude many clubs pay to the FA cup. How long can this competition continue in it's present format, and can anything be done to raise it's profile back to where it once was. Probably another sign that the PL is now the only thing that seems to count, and another competition being killed off because of the huge financial rewards on offer for PL clubs.

Its dead Steve. Even some Championship/League 1 teams dont take it seriously anymore, Champions League Place is the only thing that could spark a bit of life back in I think, maybe even something like a point for every round you get through upto the 1/4 finals gets added to your next seasons league tally so if you get to the 1/4 final you start the next season on 4 points.

Leeds, Newcastle and Brighton all out this weekend none of them want to be in it.

It's not only premier clubs but also championship clubs that field well below strength sides !
It will only take 2 kind draws and one of these lower teams could play in semi final .

I agree with both of you. It meant something years ago, but even if we won it now, it would'nt be an achievement like the 1927 win. Fans of other clubs would know that all we had done was win a competition where lower league clubs had tried, but all the clubs in the higher leagues had just paid lip service to the competition. Won't be long before we have a Wrexham v Forest Green final. Be on a par with the Johnson Paint Trophy if things carry on like this.

I agree with both of you. It meant something years ago, but even if we won it now, it would'nt be an achievement like the 1927 win. Fans of other clubs would know that all we had done was win a competition where lower league clubs had tried, but all the clubs in the higher leagues had just paid lip service to the competition. Won't be long before we have a Wrexham v Forest Green final. Be on a par with the Johnson Paint Trophy if things carry on like this.

It's true Steve, even our 2008 FA Cup Final appearance is tarnished by it really, you look at the Semi Finalists that season, Us, Portsmouth, Barnsley and West Brom. 1 from the Premiership and 3 from the Championship

Same with the League Cup, we only played one Premiership Team in the six rounds before the Final.

I don't mean to play down the achievements in getting to those finals but if we are honest we only got there due to what we are talking about, most teams not taking it seriously anymore.

All the clubs care about nowadays is the friggin profit in their books and the players just want obscene amounts of money.

It's simple. Make winning the FA Cup worth more than the Prem with more prize money and excessive tv deals. The clubs will come sniffing around then, the tossers.

All the clubs care about nowadays is the friggin profit in their books and the players just want obscene amounts of money.

It's simple. Make winning the FA Cup worth more than the Prem with more prize money and excessive tv deals. The clubs will come sniffing around then, the tossers.

Sorry but why the hell should you get more for winning a six game competition than a 38 game league?!?!?

I am nostalgic and like the FA Cup but let's not be silly