Anyone else see this? I can't stand Ferdinand. [video=youtube;l2JxDc-bkVw]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2JxDc-bkVw&feature=player_embedded[/video]
Now that we know it's a replay, I can only see three solutions should Chelsea get through in Europe this week - one of which involves us. 1. FA agree with the PL to postpone Sunderland-Utd and Saints-Chelsea, and put the replay on that weekend with the two PL games played later in the season (most likely the Tues/Weds after the semi-final). 2. FA agree with the PL to postpone Chelsea-Sunderland and Utd-Man City, and put the replay on that weekend with the two PL games played later in the season (most likely the Tues/Weds after the semi-final). 3. FA postpone the Utd/Chelsea-City semi-final, and put the replay on that weekend with the semi-final played later in the season (most likely the Tues/Weds after the replay). I can see the TV guys going off on one if either Utd-City or the semi-final got postponed. I also don't think the FA themselves would be keen on playing a show-piece Wembley match on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. And what about all those City fans, and maybe Utd fans too, travelling to London on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening? So option one is arguably the most likely, even though that too impacts on TV (as our game I believe is on SKY). That would mean a three week gap between Liverpool and Reading, and twice already this season we have lost after that sort of gap.
Which means that one of Millwall/Blackburn/Wigan will almost certainly find themselves in Europe next season.
But likewise with Utd-City. I'm struggling to find a more likely alternative here, should Chelsea get through in Europe this week. And besides, surely there wouldn't be anything to stop SKY still showing our match, but just on a Tuesday or Wednesday night. They'd just have to insist that it isn't re-arranged on a Champions League night. Not ideal. Not for the clubs or SKY. But this replay needs to played at some point.
Good days work for the ref then. Good excuse to watch this one if you haven't seen it before. [video=youtube;9ZDsjY3uFdE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZDsjY3uFdE[/video] I enjoyed the bit after the second goal where Colin sent on two attacking players for two defensive ones, a minute later all four of them are in the dressing room.
What about swapping over Reading v Saints at 12:45 on Saturday 6th April with Man City v Man Utd on Monday 8th April? This would mean that the reply could take place in week of 8th April, and we'd play Reading on Monday night. I suspect that this is unlikely, but it would mean that I'd be able to go to Reading v Saints on Monday (I can't get there on Saturday), so from an entirely personal perspective, it's a good idea.
Put simply, there is not a midweek free between now and the FA Cup semi-final, should Chelsea get through this week. (Unless the FA make Chelsea play twice in midweek, say on a Tuesday and Thursday. But this is real life, not Football Manager. I'd be very surprised if they asked that of Chelsea. Especially as Chelsea play on a lot of Sundays).
Shame about the cup draw, the semi's will definitely be interesting but the final will likely be woeful now, as Brendy said, much like the Carling Cup final. Should hopefully be a bit more competitive though, but likely another non-contest.
Very controversial, and I think Gary Megson has a great case against Niel Warnock there, for deliberately taking a chance on getting the game abandoned, without the score being ratified. Good subject for debate and George Burley says... well, it's something you don't want to see happening in football... zzzZZZzzz
