Cup competions in football have they had their day?

[doddisalegend]

Looking at the Blackpool build up thread on the main board there are a few people hoping we get knocked out. This seems to be a running theme in all cup competitions now not just among saints fans but fans at many clubs. Quite a few managers too seem to see cup competitons as a distraction to the important business of winning the league/avoiding relegation/ mid table safety (depending on club) for another season.

 

With leagues so important money wise, and the dream of reaching the sacred cash cow of the PL seen as the only goal worthy of a football club. Is it time that English football just gets rid of cup competions?

 

Discuss

[Pancake]

Pretty sure the 50K or so at Wem-ber-ley last year wouldnt agree.

[doddisalegend]

Pretty sure the 50K or so at Wem-ber-ley last year wouldnt agree.

 

I'm not so sure. Personally I loved it but reading around on here JPT cost us promotion and winning it was embarrasing according to some(even though they still went).

[RonManager]

http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sports-news/All-change-for-Pool-at.6681132.jp

 

 

See the comments on this article.

[sandwichsaint]

It's a real shame but I guess it's just a sign of the way the game has gone - League positions, promotion, avoiding relegation, seems to be the be-all and end-all for every team. Some of my favourite games and probably some my greatest Saints moments have been cup games, just like they will have been for everybody else.

 

Perhaps it's different further down: I'm going to see Dover at Huddersfield on Saturday and there's a real buzz around the area - Dover have sold over a thousand (that's the equivalent of their regular home gate). I went to the Gillingham and Aldershot games which were both excellent and I guess the momentum and atmosphere just builds from round to round, I think people were disappointed when the draw was made but they are over that now, they just want to go out and enjoy the day in a proverbial win, lose or draw sort of a way.

 

Maybe for a game like Saints v Blackpool the familiarity of live games on TV has dulled the attraction? 20 or 30 or 40 years ago people would have gone along out of curiosity to see the 'big' team and to measure the difference between the leagues, nowadays every last kick and tackle is dissected to the level where there is nothing 'new' left to see?

 

I think NA is in a difficult place selection wise, hopefully Saints will put out a decent side, and the fans that do go (18k?) will see a decent game; my hope is for no injuries and no replay and for Saints to draw Dover in the fourth round!

 

(not been to Huddersfield, anyone got any decent pub recommendations, seems like its always a pretty good away day when we go there)