As a City fan for the last 40 years I have seen quite a few changes when it comes to the FA CUP. As it stands I can understand the motivation of SB for not wanting to put too much emphasis on it, especially when we are challenging for promotion. I would probably be the same as a manager!! What I mean is that I feel for the supporters (8,500 today) who have invested good money to see our team progress to the next round, only to watch a second string that wouldn't hold its own in league 1. Apparently the winning of the FA CUP is only worth around 5m, compared to the potential 100m for getting to the promised land. Where is the incentive for a team of our standing to want to pursue this challenge at the risk of de-railing our promotion credentials? We might have been better if Proschwitz hadn't of scored today as now we have to go to Orient which adds yet another game to our season. If we were in Orient's position then the cup is so much more important. Your thoughts please fellow Tigers.
People will say a Champions League place is the way to do it, but I still don't really think that would make too much difference. You would still be better investing your efforts in to the league, and eventually working towards a better team - rather than going for the cup, where luck plays a pretty big role. That being said, I do find it a little annoying when mid-table Premier League teams moan about having nothing to look forward to/aim for, when they put out their reserve side in the cup.
I'm not sure anybody who went can complain about the team selection being unexpected when they bought their tickets. We rested players in the League Cup back in August. We've had a busy Xmas period before this game so we were always likely to do the same now, and for those who bought tickets nearer to the day of the game Bruce even said he was going to field a weakened team (all the subs will start).
The team that Steve Bruce played today was more than good enough to hold its own in the championship. IF they had all played to there best City would have won .. But they did not and thats why Orient looked better than us on the day. Thankfully they can all put that right on tuesday week (15th) what they did wrong today as sandwiched between games with the Wendies and Posh SB wont dare risk any of the main players in a replay. We were not alone by any means in resting most of our key players. Cardiff City may have got it right by going out but whatever We do have 2 teams that can be used. With the Derby game now being postponed on the 26th whatever happens @ Orient at the very least the lads get a weekend off. On a plus point, Hull City are in the 4th round draw.
I agree, and it will do no harm giving the second string game time, which from what I hear about yesterdays game they desperately need.
Indeed they do John. More than the few though. I am sure SB will give them all the replay to put right what went wrong yesterday. As for round 4......Aldershot, Macclesfield or Luton Town away anyone ?
Newcastle away would have suited me, as it is closer to get to, sadly they are out. Though having heard how this team performed yesterday, I don't know whether is would be worth the 8 hour round trip.
While all would be forgiven for me if we get promoted, it grates a little with me when I'm sat at the KC watching that, then checking my phone and seeing Wood and de Laet scoring for Leicester. On the other hand, Cardiff fielded a weakened team and did a Hull at Macclesfield. Had a rare viewing of Football Focus and Hansen commented about PL teams and maybe even some Championship teams fielding a couple of reserves/younger players. FFS. We fielded a FULL team of reserves! So, in my mind that means Bruce either thought the reserves were good enough (as did I) or he wants to be out of the cup. If we draw Man Utd in the 4th round draw I wonder what side we'll field in the replay.
I was thinking that as well, although Man U are not yet through to the next round. Listening to SB post game interview he hinted at a very similar starting line-up for the replay. Personally I think he'll play a slightly stronger team - maybe 2-3 more first teamers. The replay in London in 10 days might also be televised, as it's a possible upset, although I'm sure that won't affect Bruce's selection
The FA Cup has become a very devauled compeition. It stated getting that way when the Premier league came into play. The Prem clubs decided to devalue it by playing ther reserves/squad players in the earlier round from rd3. It was only when they got to the qtr finals did they start putting out 1st X1s, some not even then, like Utd and Arsenal. The rot then set in when championship clubs followed suit. The FA Cup then becameno better than the league cup, a competition that no one wants. To be fair, a lot of the senior clubs like City have reduced prices accordingly. But if you had watched last nights FA Cup highlites you could see the picture fully. Not many senior clubs played anything like their senior team. What happened to the rule that you would play your strongest eleven at all times. The only thing you can say is tht ith the way the competition has gone downhill it is now very possible that a championsip club can get to Wembley and all the finance that goes with it. I would like to see City take the competition seriously for once and have a go. I know that our main aim is promotion but being old school I remember the promotion season in 65/66 when we got promotion and got to the qtr finals of what was then the best cup comp in the world. Success breeds success so they say.
I expected we'd start with a similar line up. I was also in two minds whether i really wanted us to go through or not. I suppose you get used to it if you went to the other cup matches over the years. To be fair, the alternatives other than going yesterday was to stay in a do nowt infront of the telly all day.
tThe FA cup has indeed become a much devalued competion and it saddens me that our own club have become part of the problem in recent years. I accept the club are currently playing at a high level and that the money involved in promotion to the premier league means it will be seen as a priority. This said, the way Hull City (as well as many others) have disrespected the FA cup and therefore their own fans is shameful. Our record in the cup has not been the best but in years gone by the players would give 100% and look for that next round because the money involved was so badly needed by the club. This seems to have been forgotten somewhere along the line. Nowadays when we draw the likes of Crawley or Orient it seems acceptable to flag up in advance the fact that the game will be used as a run out for squad players and shop window time for the deadwood. Disrespectful to the opponents, disrespectful to the fans and disrespectful to the history of the club.