Crazy isn't it. I used to get annoyed when we were midtable for about a decade and still put out half a team for a cup match. What's the point in football if all you're focused on is existing. I'd prefer to win the league Cup and get relegated.
I still haven't forgiven Pochettino for resting players in a 5th round tie at Sunderland in 2014 when we were marooned in 8th on our own and the route to the final would have been Hull and Sheffield United
Swear United get a disproportionate number of not easy but exceedingly dull home ties against small Prem teams and the most boring second division teams (Reading, Watford). City never seem to be away despite having just won away.