Would you rather... A) Go to somewhere like Villa Park, Hillsborough, Elland Road, Old Trafford etc for your semi-final. Basically how it was before 2008. B) Go to Wembley for it.
Wembley is the greater occasion because of the stadium and day out, but it should not be at Wembley whatsoever as it detracts from the competition as a whole and going to Wembley twice in a month does burn a big hole in the pocket. So really, A.
I voted selfishly for option B. Mainly due to me missing the play off final and the opportunity to lose in the semis. Taking my selfish hat off, it should be a neutral ground for the semis and then having Wembley as the prize for getting to the final. It takes away the glamour.
Option A. I think it would take the gloss off reaching the final a little should we somehow manage to avoid defeat against surefire favourites the mighty Sheffield United.
I would still prefer the semi's are played at Villa Park or Old Trafford or the like, as I think it takes the gloss off the final playing the semi's there also.
I think the supporters' view of holding the semi final and final both at Wembley depends to a certain extent upon their confidence in victory at the semi. If you set off to the semi assuming that defeat is inevitable then it makes the Wembley experience just that bit more special. On the other hand, if you go thinking that a repeat visit is set in stone then you may well think that the first visit is somehow devalued and a bit of an expensive distraction. I'm sure that most City supporters will feel that they are hot favourites and would therefore prepare the semi to be at one of the big grounds a bit nearer home. At the same time, buoyed by their excellent run of results, I'm also sure that Blades fans will also consider that they have a decent chance to make it through to the final. Personally I'd prefer the semi to be held either in Old Trafford or even St. James Park (not Exeter!) - both offer the prospect of a big capacity, relatively short journey and a great weekend away.
I don't see going to Wembley as a big thing in itself. It's going there because that's where you win trophies that counts. A big reason for my vote against it is that I can't abide London, and Wembley's a **** part of it.
If we're not in it A, if we are B. The Stadium already loses money, take two core events of it and the FA are screwed.
Like I said on another thread. The Semi Finals should be held at most convenient natural ground. City vs Shef Utd would be great at Old Trafford. Not really sure about the other Semi. I don't think there's a big enough Stadium between London and Wigan
Though most agree that the final is devalued by also having the semi's at Wembley, the upside is that more people get to go.
Your view on that might change after you have a great day out at the SF. I understand some of the clamour to keep Wembley for the final and go back to the old school semi's at Villa Park etc. & tbh a few years ago I was probably one of those who'd have advocated that. However, I had one of the best days of my life at Wembley for an FA Cup SF and it changed my mind. The venue and the experience is unsurpassed and the fact that the FA need the dosh means it isn't going to change anyway, so just enjoy the day for what it is.
Considering the prize is almost certainly a place in Europe for the winner i'm more than happy for a game of this magnitude to be played at Wembley.
Whilst I do think it's a silly idea having the semis at Wembley in general, I'm selfishly very excited for this one as a City game. The semi itself is a big game for us and Sheff United so Wembley is fitting in a way. It's the perfect draw for Wembley. It's also a few days after my 21st; s'gonna be ace.
Please explain why its so much more expensive to play at Wembley twice as say, Old Trafford followed by Wembley?
More travel ergo higher costs, everything in London is more expensive overall, ... It isn't just the ticket.
