As a lad growing up, to win the FA cup was pretty much the ultimate (short of the World Cup). Today, through the finacial rewards offered by other competitions, the FA Cup is not given the same priority level by clubs. Does it still matter to us fans though? If you were offered these 2 scenario's, Which would you take? A) Norwich reach the FA Cup final. Premier league survival goes to the last game with us needing a win to stay up. B) We lose to Burnley but Stay up this season
I'd take B every time, think we need to establish ourselves in the league then think about the cup, like stoke last year.
Personally I would want us safe by the end of March so we can enjoy the cup final where Wes destroys Man Uniteds back line with some sublime pulling of the strings!
I think Lambert's masterplan will unravel soon enough - Class way he got Lappin some game time today against crap opposition in preparation for a harder test next week against Burnley!
Ive always said and always will say, you cant beat a cup final! Just like promotion, theres no better way than going up via the play-offs as the day out is just incredible and will never forget my day in cardiff (even though we lost). Im heading to carrow rd saturday to see the lads but im expecting to see the likes of wilbs etc to have a game, but if it means staying up then i dont mind losing the game. I just think that surely its wise to play a strong line up with a few of our best to try and keep the momentum from today going!
A sad reflection of today's football and how money has changed the game, it has to be option B. Twenty years ago winning the FA Cup would have meant a very successful season. Nowadays you cannot afford to 'gamble' with your premiere league status. Unless you are 'the Big Five' premere league survival is the only aim for the season.
Nice to be able to comment on a thread that doesn't have obnoxious QPR fans on it!(..and even Jonah ) I'm sadly going with 'B' too. Like Kenny, when I was younger the FA Cup was something special, but it lost it's appeal, highlighted when ManU pulled out of it for something else (how were they allowed to get away with that?) Having said that, it can still throw up great days like the away game at Paulton, which was very special.
If you could guarantee scenario A - I would take it but as that can not be done then I will happily take scenario B If the club is to grow and get out of the red they need to stay in the PL
Definitely option A; More cash for the club, ensuring long term survival. Especially because the last game of the season is at home to Villa, easy three points!!!
If the option was (A) and the corollary was that we went into the last game with a mathematical possibility of relegation I would take (B)
There aren't many teams that have never had an FA Cup final. Back in the first Prem League year it was us and Oldham... About time we had our day out. To answer your question tho Prem League survival ASAP everytime.
We have a squad of 25+ players and if we can't put out a team from the squad that can't beat Burnley at home then it doesn't really matter does it. How about Rudd Francomb Barnett De Laet Drury Crofts Fox Surman Lappin Wilbraham Jackson
....i don't think you are confined to your premier squad for the FA cup so can choose from all players on the clubs books for this one. may see a surprise or two on saturday.
would love to see some of the kids given a go. having watched the youth team batter oldham the other week i think there are three or four who could be big names for us in the future
