Reports in the media state that the great Football Association are discussing ideas to scrap replays in the world’s oldest football competition.
In addition, more midweek non-replay matches would be played as opposed to allocating the cup its usual third, fourth and fifth round weekends.
Apparently, all these domestic games are harming the ‘big’ clubs chances in European competition.
What. A. Shame.
All I see here is another step towards moving football so far away from its roots that it is unrecognisable. There are some things in the game you just should not touch. One of these things is the format of the most glorious and historic football competition in the world.
While we are at why don’t we stick some walls up around the pitch and do away with throw ins, or maybe we could split the game into quarters rather than halves. I mean, if the FA are considering doing something so ridiculous they may as well do it properly.
As for the complaints about fixture congestion from certain high profile clubs and managers, well, welcome to England. High pressure, plenty of football and the need for tougher players and coaches. If you are not happy about how do things here in the country that invented the game, you know what you can do.
A winter break has been mentioned, and that is something I am not exactly against but it cannot take place in such a way that ruins the historic culture of the FA Cup.
Imagine the money and the great FA Cup stories clubs and their fans from lower leagues and non-league would lose out on if denied the opportunity to play away at Old Trafford and Anfield.
I just wished for one minute the football fan would be thought about once in a while.
Nothing shocks you anymore. We really do have a fight on our hands. We must do all we can to save our game.
If it is up to some of those in charge among the powers that be we will soon be watching English football matches, played on a Thursday morning at 2am in some far fetched corner of the planet in the middle of July.
Here are the statistics from the latest weekend of Premier League action.
Sunderland 2 Manchester United 1 – The Black Cats managed their first win over United at their Stadium Of Light home.
Bournemouth 1 Stoke City 3 – The Potters ended a four game run of failing to score in emphatic fashion. They have scored three or more on three occasions this season.
Crystal Palace 1 Watford 2 – Only two Premier League clubs have bagged less points from home games than Palace on 14. They are Bournemouth (13) and Aston Villa (10).
Everton 0 West Bromwich Albion 1 – The 24% possession managed by Albion in this one is the lowest registered by any Premier League team this season. Still, three points.
Norwich City 2 West Ham United 2 – With this draw, City are without a win in six top flight games.
Swansea City 0 Southampton 1 – Shane Long, the man who netted the only goal in this game will make his 200th league start in English football next time out. He has 78 goals.
Chelsea 5 Newcastle United 1 – Chelsea’s last ten league games have followed this pattern WDDWDDWDDW. You know what to put your money on next time out!
Arsenal 2 Leicester City 1 – Do not let anyone talk you round. Leicester can still do this. They have a two point gap at the top of the league following this cruel defeat.
Aston Villa 0 Liverpool 6 – Villa have picked up just 0.62 points per game so far this season. In order to reach forty points, they need that to increase to two points per game (24 points from 12 games). RELEGATED.
Manchester City 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2 – City have lost four games at home this season, that is more than league leaders Leicester have been on the end of in both home and away games. Title beyond them? Maybe.
