That's mostly about money as well, sn23. one big pay day at Old Trafford is worth more than a cup run these days.
The BBC are certainly trying to rebuild some magic back into the competition this year. I have enjoyed the live Friday night games and think that is a decent innovation. I have little hope that we will do much damage this year and will probably bow out in the North West.
Why was it ever THE trophy to win? Surely a league competed over 38 matches is more important than a Cup competed over 8 matches where the numbers coming out of a hat is the deciding factor along with how you play and the conditions you face over 90 mins. Don't understand either how money has ruined the Cup either. If you mean that teams put out weaker sides then you are refusing to accept that the modern game is a squad game. 60 years ago, when the Cup was in its prime, the top teams only had the 1st Div and the FA Cup. Now they have the League, 2 Cups, European competitions and International breaks and on top of that the game is far more demanding physically. They can't put out the same players game after game. I watched Arsenal last night win 4-1 away against the Turkish Champions, who put out a full strength team, with a starting 11 containing 4 youngsters and a couple of squad players with a bench containing only kids. Is money ruining the Champions League? Liverpool rest Gerrard for most Cup games and even some League games against lesser opposition. Liverpool have been drawn against a League 2 side - it would be folly not to rest Gerrard and others. If the squad players sent out cannot beat Wimbledon then they shouldn't be at the Club. It is nothing to do with money - it is purely and simply the need for a full squad.
I hear what you're saying 1950 but I think you know exactly what I mean. The FA Cup used to be really special that's all I'm saying, every club would put out their strongest side and would even rest players for cup games, an FA Cup Winners medal was just as prestigeous as a League Championship medal in those days. Every player at every club wanted to play in the Cup games and would never want to be 'rested', indeed nearly every club would use probably a maximum of 15-16 players all season long for league and cup. I have long been critical of Sky TV but I must admit however that football in this country was on it's knees before they emerged, dwindling attendances mainly due to hooliganism and dreadful stadia conditions which the clubs could not afford to improve saw to that. Yes many of us can sometimes be accused of looking back through 'rose tinted' glasses but it wasn't all bad and I can honestly say I enjoyed going to games a lot more back then. I remember queueing all along Carrow Road for an FA Cup ticket and I'm talking late seventies hear not 1959 (I'm not quite that old!), the excitement of Cup football was terrific. Let's not forget also that every tie was played to a conclusion back then even if it took 3 or 4 replays, penalty shoot outs were never considered. As for European football, can anyone say hand on heart that they enjoy the early group games ? I'm sure the fans of the competing clubs care but as a neutral I rarely take an interest until the knock-out stages and I pick and choose which games to watch then too. The name 'Champions League' is also a contradiction in terms as most teams competing are not current champions of their domestic leagues, when Liverpool last won the trophy they were not English champions. I suppose whether we like it or not football is no longer played for the love of the game with a desire to win only so you you can be called simply the best. Now it is all about money, money, money and win at all costs. Cheating, diving, feigning injury, claiming to be 'tired' if you don't feel up to playing after all it's just a job now isn't it and an overpaid one at that, yet somehow we all still love the game. Most of us can't explain why, is it just being part of a football family? Is it that tribal belonging? Is it that feeling of euphoria as the adrenalin surges through your veins when your team scores a goal, that last minute winner, the goal that wins your side the game, the league title, the trophy THE CUP !
To add to KIO's response. I'm not sure how you can contend that money is not the primary rational for the cup losing it's gloss. I understand your argument about it being a squad game and certainly I understand those involved in the champions league fielding weaker sides for the cup for a comp of even greater prestige, but when the top 8 clubs in the Prem are either playing in or falling overthemselves to get qualification for the champions league and it's undeniable appeal but also it's riches, the money shadow is cast further. And then you have the rest of the prem do they field weaker sides because they might win the league? No. Maybe because of the distraction of a second cup? Hardly, the Milk, Carling, Coke cola...or what ever cup it is now, has never held the same prestige. Are they playing too much football? Not so many games in the PL but with internationals it is I'll grant you possible. Or is it the pathalogical fear of loss of revenue by the perceived elevated risk of relegation from the PL that a cup run might cause? Yes that would be it, So fans are indeed being let down as there clubs attempt to cling despirately to 10th in the league rather than actually win something! Really nothing to do with the money!?! The sorry state of affairs also extends to the despirate struggle to get promoted too. Norwich are a great example. You're prioritising promoting at all cost, because you need the money. Surely in a developing side the use of 2-4 changes aiming at enhancing the team and wining would be important and just maybe giving the fans some cheer and excitment that only a cup run could do! Not now, it'll be second string and apathy all round. Bah!
