FA Cup final

Don't be so negative it is what it is better than watching some reality shite.
The Fa cup has been on the wain for years but clubs still want to win it as to London clubs couldn't give a toss North South East or West unless it's us.
 
Not being negative at all. Love a good fervent final. This is not it.
Playing the semis at wembley was a joke too.
And the play off finals there also you could go on no football is fervent at the mo in this pandemic but like I say it is what it is.
 
I think you are both in agreement really. For me the subconscious traducing of the FA Cup's reputation is a crime. The FA Cup is a pure competition: no seeding (from the third round onward) and every member of the FA is entitled to enter.
It also used to be the longest football competition in the world: commencing in early August with the preliminary rounds and ending after the leagues as the centerpiece final in early May.
It has been kicked into nothingness by money. Is it any wonder that the Premier League trophy is the most garish, down-market piece of bling ever to tarnish the beautiful game? (With apols to TD53's post on this very issue).
The FA Cup should be seen as a beacon to true competition. You get drawn out of a hat to play your competitor then it's one chance (plus replays) to get past them.
This is my football rant. The FA Cup should be sacrosant. END OF...!
 
I think due to the sports drought I've actually got more interest this year.

Shame about the teams in it though.

I've enjoyed the playoffs immensely.
 
Two London clubs that don’t have far to travel. Yawn
Bit like Brentford and Fulham Tuesday night then.
This I'd rather have a Northern team than a team from down south is for dinosaurs and totally outdated.
Seriously United and City over Arsenal or Chelsea couldn't care less but will watch the game.
 
Has there ever been less interest in the grand old trophy ?

2 London clubs in an empty stadium.
May have been better to just toss a coin.
If it had been Manure v ManCity I'd have watched but as it is I don't really care less one way or the other.
 
I'll probably watch a bit between the cricket. I'd prefer Chelsea to win, just because Arsenal supporters really grate on me. If both teams go for it, I don't see why it shouldn't be a decent game. Neither can defend and both have good attacking players.
 
Looking forward to the game, should be good. Head says Chelsea and I do love Frank and it would be lovely to see him looking up at the sky with both hands raised up.

However I'll be routing for Arsenal.
 
The only thing that would ever rescue the FA Cup would be to award one champions league place to the League title winner and one to the FA Cup Winner in each country. It will never happen though.
The sad thing is there are things they could do to make it important like a 3pm kick off time and only match and ditch the Wembley semis but again it won't happen. Football is just controlled by the big clubs.
 
Quick and easy quiz.
Name those teams.
The first time I went to Wembley was in 1964 when I watched my 92nd and 91st favourite football league teams (pre PL obvs) and then in 1972 when my 90th favourite team was involved.
But who was I watching?
 
It's actually not a bad game. Siding with Arsenal as I've always liked them most out of the big London clubs. Not sure why, probably because they knocked Liverpool off the top for a bit when I was a kid.
 
Been four good goals If you include that Pepe finish and a good match. Terrible Double yellow red card decision from the ref.

people wonder why football is a pale imitation of its former self and a lot of it is to do with attention seeking crap refs
 
Forget the ad breaks I'm watching on the Beeb it basically puts the game in to four quarters where the coach can talk to all the players and change system/tactics etc it's as bad as allowing 5 subs get rid of the lot.

Yeah, I'm on beeb too but it just seems a pointless break that takes away the energy of the game.

I got it for the first few games when it was fair that fitness might be an issue but they've played for about 8 weeks now
 
Been four good goals If you include that Pepe finish and a good match. Terrible Double yellow red card decision from the ref.

people wonder why football is a pale imitation of its former self and a lot of it is to do with attention seeking crap refs

Second one was mental.
 
He’s reffed two finals and red cards in both. There was a time when refs would only show a second yellow if they were absolutely sure.
 
I think it’s time referees in the top flight were drawn from experienced pool of pro players from the football league that effectively take retirement at say 34 and then ref for two or three years in the top fight. Can’t ref any game involving a team that they played for.
 
I think it’s time referees in the top flight were drawn from experienced pool of pro players from the football league that effectively take retirement at say 34 and then ref for two or three years in the top fight. Can’t ref any game involving a team that they played for.

Works in cricket. Completely normal for ex players to do it.

Doesn't need to be top flight players either.
 
Quick and easy quiz.
Name those teams.
The first time I went to Wembley was in 1964 when I watched my 92nd and 91st favourite football league teams (pre PL obvs) and then in 1972 when my 90th favourite team was involved.
But who was I watching?
Well the 1964 cup finalwas nobbers v West Ham so its easy to dizlike both of them.
1972 was leeds v arsenal and the league cup final was Stoke v Chelsea. Tbh they're all easy to dislike as well. I'll go for Leeds
 
Agreed. It’s like these refs are completely clueless about how the game is actually played.
 
Agreed. It’s like these refs are completely clueless about how the game is actually played.

You get it any job as well. The job is simple, keep the game moving and spot cheating and dangerous play but when the "management" put out a missive then you get people desperate to be seen to be following the rule.

Jobsworths with no sense of soul or instinct.

To be fair to them, they probably have it knocked out of them as I'd imagine with the high financial stakes involved the authorities take a very literal approach.
 
Weird watching the celebrations. I laughed at how glum one of the Chelsea players looked. Stripped of the crowd he just looked like a lad on a school team that just lost.
 
With Leeds Arsenal Chelsea and Stoke in the mix it was a bit of one potato two potato.

In the end I decided to Plumbs plump for Leeds
 
Dirty won the centenary FA Cup in 1972 and the Queen presented it to the King 😉

Never the same competition after they moved it from Kennington Oval and dispensed with the draw on the old crystal sets,used to great to see if the Seasiders would draw local rivals South Shore or Fleetwood Rangers in the first round qualifying.

Some great teams played at Raikes Hall and some tremendous midweek replays under the candles too.
 
I’m convinced the players thought they’d broken the cup with the bottom section being detachable. Ha ha ha.

loved the injured lads pumping their crutches as the rest jumped up and down in the celebratory huddle!

also loved ABoomerang responding to the question “ can you tell us about your future with Arsenal?” With a resounding“No!”and then running off. Brilliant!
 
Fair play to Arsenal fans - I've not seen any pictures of thousands of fans gathering to celebrate their cup win like Liverpool and Leeds!!
 
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