[Neil]

Disgraceful decision, and the FA just bowed out to the rich clubs with its moany managers about fixture congestion. Some clubs have survived on the replay fixture revenue. PL is getting a joke now.

The rich clubs are bigger and more powerful than the FA though.

[Tommy11]

They moan about fixture congestion, but it doesn't stop the likes of Newcastle and Spurs arranging a friendly in Australia 4 days after the final game of the season.

Exactly mate - as they want to do that as its a nice little commercial decision to increase support in Australia. But when it comes to our beloved old national cup, forget it - not worth it.

[Neil]

I tweeted a news cutting of when Aston Villa played a friendly at MP in 1991, full first team. You'd never get that these days, they're off to south east Asia to expand their brand instead

[Gladfans]

I tweeted a news cutting of when Aston Villa played a friendly at MP in 1991, full first team. You'd never get that these days, they're off to south east Asia to expand their brand instead

Yep there was always a prestigious league club to start the pre season- but nowadays they charge us all the expenses so you could have a big crowd and make a loss.

[Prorsum Semper]

I remember as a kid dreaming of lifting the FA cup, they should Never touch the format, its all about money, like others have said they can play extra games with 20 hour flights during a season but not a traditional fa cup replay which fans of modest clubs dream about, I miss football from 20/30 years ago, its lost for ever.

---

Believe they just made the champions league and world cup bigger , meaning more games, says It all.

[MrMatt]

I keep changing my opinion on this.

On one hand I’m fairly traditional with things like this and also the way it’s been handled seems to be pretty poor. There’s also been some memorable replay moments in the past.

On the other hand we may be more likely to see giant killing moments, especially if games go to the lottery of penalties.
It will save fans money as they won’t have to fork out for potential away games to the other end of the country at short notice.
There is also the pressure for part time clubs and players who make it that far in the cup to get their travel and work commitments sorted.


I’m not overly fussed at replays going. If there is one thing I would change it would be moving the semi finals away from Wembley!

[Tigermatty 2.0]

I keep changing my opinion on this.

On one hand I’m fairly traditional with things like this and also the way it’s been handled seems to be pretty poor. There’s also been some memorable replay moments in the past.

On the other hand we may be more likely to see giant killing moments, especially if games go to the lottery of penalties.
It will save fans money as they won’t have to fork out for potential away games to the other end of the country at short notice.
There is also the pressure for part time clubs and players who make it that far in the cup to get their travel and work commitments sorted.


I’m not overly fussed at replays going. If there is one thing I would change it would be moving the semi finals away from Wembley!

I agree - I understand the financial benefits but I’m a knockout competition I like to see a result on the day

[Neil]

On the other hand we may be more likely to see giant killing moments

Newport played Man Utd this season. If they were 1-0 up in the last minute they'd have been better off scoring an own goal rather than winning. It would be like £100k prize money or £1M gate reciepts!

[SHANDY LOVE MACHINE]

Not if they drew Arsenal in the next round.

[Nigeglos]

What did replays in round 1 and 2 have to do with the premier league ?
I see there is talk of a boycott.

In 1980-81,Russell Osman played 66 games that season and tackles were still tackles then. No 25 men squads.
The 3 seasons around it, he played 155.

Glos City in that oh so close season, Truro, Taunton. Players with other jobs.

Premier league is ruining football in this country. If it's so good, why are many clubs in eye watering debt ?