The FA Cup must always be treated with the respect it deserves, but I agree with the other two Given the FA Cup is on designated weekends (unlike EL and CC), there is non excuse for not fielding full strength teams. We are not Man U, we're a proper club and we should treat this competition with respect.
Kerry --I want 24 points from our last 8 games! Fingers crossed, that will be enough to stake a place at the top table!
I think 24 points would be enough but given we've barely been able to string 2 to 3 wins together cant see 8 suddenly happening especially with Arsenal and Liverpool away still to come. Smart money is us for 5th. Just hope we can pick up at least a trophy to salvage something from a very disappointing season.
I'm pretty sure if we don't get Europa League or Champions League, FFP rules don't apply....you know what I'm thinking.
Call me old-fashioned but clubs should be setting out to win every cup they're in. To do anything other is disrespectful to the fans, but then again we know football's not about the fans.
If we don't make europe, there should be no reason why we can't make a fist of the 3 domestic competitions. However if we're in say Europa, something has to give. Far too many games to be able to sustain a decent league challenge all season. Personally, if in Europa, I'd use it to blood in the youngsters plus a few reserves and see how they fare. You can do it in the carling but you could be out after 1 game. If we somehow managed to get to say the last 16, then you can start bring in some of the first team. Players like Josh, Lukaku, Hutchinson, Bertrand, Piazon playing along side a few of the first teamers who don't play every week, Malouda, Mikel, Cahill, Romeu, Ferreira etc and we should still be able to fare OK.
