Tottenham vs Liverpool - Premier League (19/20 - Game 21)

[Buzzo]

Yeah, the FA have killed the FA cup.

When teams like Sheffield Utd are making wholesale changes for the third round because the League is more important, and their squad is knackered because of a busy schedule then you know they have got it wrong.

[Norbs]

What's the answer though? The PL could be cut to 18 teams to save 4 games but that would be unpopular, rightly so. It would be far better to turn the league cup in to the football league cup and to make the Championship the highest placed league that participates in it. The FA Cup would then hopefully gain a bit more importance

[Red_Polo]

Do something radical. Premiership teams start in 4th round not 3rd. No replays. Final is last game of season after league but before European Cup. League cup totally altered - only ever one leg, no replays, must start 5 players U23 homegrown. Thinking out loud.

[dom9]

What's the answer though? The PL could be cut to 18 teams to save 4 games but that would be unpopular, rightly so. It would be far better to turn the league cup in to the football league cup and to make the Championship the highest placed league that participates in it. The FA Cup would then hopefully gain a bit more importance

Bin replays in all competitions and bin two legged semis in the LC for a start.

Then you don't have to cram in so many fixtures over xmas. Even push the FA Cup 3rd round back a week. Give the players a rest going into it.

There's loads of time between the FA Cup semis and final, so the whole thing can be moved back a bit.

[Buzzo]

Do something radical. Premiership teams start in 4th round not 3rd. No replays. Final is last game of season after league but before European Cup. League cup totally altered - only ever one leg, no replays, must start 5 players U23 homegrown. Thinking out loud.

Impressive if that is off the top of your head. All great ideas.

[baitman]

Impressive if that is off the top of your head. All great ideas.

And he thought of pass Larouci on the left had side

[Norbs]

Do something radical. Premiership teams start in 4th round not 3rd. No replays. Final is last game of season after league but before European Cup. League cup totally altered - only ever one leg, no replays, must start 5 players U23 homegrown. Thinking out loud.

All very good ideas. Add to that that no side to be considered weak, down to the discretion of the club

[Norbs]

Bin replays in all competitions and bin two legged semis in the LC for a start.

Then you don't have to cram in so many fixtures over xmas. Even push the FA Cup 3rd round back a week. Give the players a rest going into it.

There's loads of time between the FA Cup semis and final, so the whole thing can be moved back a bit.

Good ideas. I think the entry point in the FA Cup should be the 3rd round too, if it's the 4th round then the PL occupy 20 out of 32 places which is too harsh on all other teams

[Scratch]

I think binning replays isn't a way to go, not in the FA Cup...those lower league clubs that hold on for a gritty draw at home should be entitled to their big (pay) day away at the likes of Anfield, Emirates etc. If the so-called bigger clubs can't beat a minnow on their turf, then that's on the bigger club, no point punishing the minnows.

[Assassin]

I'm still of the opinion. If you have qualified for European competition, the teams should be excluded from the Carrotcock cup. Its causes meaningless fixture congestion.

[dom9]

I think binning replays isn't a way to go, not in the FA Cup...those lower league clubs that hold on for a gritty draw at home should be entitled to their big (pay) day away at the likes of Anfield, Emirates etc. If the so-called bigger clubs can't beat a minnow on their turf, then that's on the bigger club, no point punishing the minnows.

That is so rare nowadays, it's not a good enough reason to keep replays imo.

[Norbs]

I think binning replays isn't a way to go, not in the FA Cup...those lower league clubs that hold on for a gritty draw at home should be entitled to their big (pay) day away at the likes of Anfield, Emirates etc. If the so-called bigger clubs can't beat a minnow on their turf, then that's on the bigger club, no point punishing the minnows.

Wouldn't it be fairer if the gate receipts were shared if the away team comes from a lower league than the home side and still bin replays?

[dom9]

Wouldn't it be fairer if the gate receipts were shared if the away team comes from a lower league than the home side and still bin replays?

They're shared regardless anyway aren't they?

And if the away team is Leeds and the home team is Bournemouth, it doesn't really solve anything.

[Scratch]

That is so rare nowadays, it's not a good enough reason to keep replays imo.

Is it that rare, with the big clubs fielding the kids quite often in the early rounds? It feels like it happens quite often, but maybe I'm just basing it on us

Wouldn't it be fairer if the gate receipts were shared if the away team comes from a lower league than the home side and still bin replays?

That happens anyway, I think. But sometimes, in order for the away team to be from the lower league, they would need to draw the home tie and force a replay.

Maybe the option to allow the home team to say "we'd rather play at yours" should be provided.

[dom9]

Is it that rare, with the big clubs fielding the kids quite often in the early rounds? It feels like it happens quite often, but maybe I'm just basing it on us

Well, even many of the small clubs aren't fielding full strength teams in the cups any more.

Let's keep an eye on it this season and see what happens.