Well I've just been saying all week that it would our game which gets affected (it just had to be), but I didn't anticipate on it being affected like this. Making Chelsea potentially play four matches in nine games is wrong in my opinion. Especially when they are currently free midweeks later in the season. But then I guess this way, it only screws Chelsea only and not the poor soul(s) that they're playing too (in this case us). I'm amazed though that they've annouced all this already. Why not wait 36 hours? If Chelsea get knocked out, this is all for nothing. And having announced it, they surely wont go back on their word? They can't change the date for this fixture for a third time. How are Chelsea and Utd going to feel, being made to play a huge FA cup game just 48 hours after a league game, if both sides have the whole of that midweek free? But being completely biased, this is fantastic news for us. Facing Chelsea just 48 hours before arguably Rafa's biggest game of the season*, and with 24 hours less rest after the international break, is very nice in my book. Even more so if they do then have a Europa League game that following Thursday. Rafa would surely have little choice but to rest a few players against us. Fingers crossed they extend their lead over Arsenal and Liverpool this weekend, just to make the prospect of him resting players against us even more appealing. *(As Rafa wont be there next season, what would mean more to him - winning a trophy for his CV, or getting a top four spot for some other guy to benefit from. And there's the fact that the opposition manager is SAF).
Just trying to appear sympathetic to fans who might be inconvenienced I guess. I can't see how it really disadvantages the club really, except they miss out on a small amount of extra TV money I suppose. I can't see them being knocked out of the FA cup before the replay personally They could have scheduled the replay later though were they to be knocked out of the Europa league I suppose.
Everything you say is true, but I still can't escape the feeling that we will get beat nonetheless! I don't like relying on weakened teams and rested players, in theory it sounds good but in practice it never seems to work out as you hoped it would.
They do have to sort out stuff like staff/stewards, police, transport which I suppose is extra labour for the St Mary's office. Nothing they can't cope with of course, but it does seem like an oversight from the FA not to come up with a plan in case the Cup game went to a replay. It's not their fault Chelsea have loads of games but they should have been aware of the possibility and notified the club/supporters.
Interesting bit on Echo site...we won't be losing out on Sky money because we are guaranteed TV money for 10 matches whether shown or not. Chelsea was 8th and Reading the 9th match. Reading will now be out 8th match. Even if Sky don't schedule two more we will get the money. Personally, I'm sure we will get at least one more scheduled...and possibly two if still in relegation mix at the end of the season, since the title is all but settled.
Even sending out personal messages:- Chelsea Fixture Moved To 3pm Saturday March 30th From Southampton FC To (ST Holder) Southampton's home fixture with Chelsea has reverted back to its original date of Saturday 30th March with a 3pm kick-off. Dear Season Ticket Holder, You may already be aware that our home Barclays Premier League fixture v Chelsea which was scheduled for Sunday 31st March kick off 4pm, has now been switched back to Saturday 30th March with a 3pm kick off. We just wanted to let you know that your ticket(s) will still be valid for this fixture and you don't need to do anything further. The game had already been moved once for the purposes of live Sky TV coverage to Sunday 31st March however, the Premier League have deemed it acceptable to move the fixture once more. The decision comes due to Chelsea and Manchester United needing a replay to determine the outcome of their FA Cup Quarter Final tie, which will take place on Monday 1st April. The Club is extremely disappointed that this decision has been taken, not least because of the significant inconvenience a second change to the fixture will cause our supporters. We hope this fixture change won't cause you too much inconvenience, and look forward to your continued support. Yours Sincerely Southampton Football Club
