Robert N. LiM

That's quite something. The gauntlet is down, @cambridgeshire canary and @KiwiScot

Sure, but given the enormous disparity between the riches at the top and the rest, surely anything that makes those pay-days less likely is a bad thing? Completely agree clubs shouldn't be budgeting for them, but do many really do that? They're a bonus which could make a big difference to a struggling team. That's why I think my idea of 'lower-league team gets the gate money' is an elegant solution to pass money down the pyramid (at little cost to the bigger clubs) while streamlining the calendar by getting rid of the replays, which I totally agree with you on.

Great post: agree with all of your five things I'd add that the underlying thing that has ruined the FA Cup is the Premier League. It's hoovered up all the talent, so the same mega-clubs invariably win it in the end, even if they play weakened teams in the early round. And the huge disparity between the PL and the Championship means that if you are at all worried about relegation, or at all in the conversation for promotion (which in January is probably about 15 clubs), you basically have to prioritise the league. And those are the clubs, bottom half of the Prem, top half of the Champs, who could on their day knock a big team out. But they're not really trying any more. It's such a shame. It was such a great thing, what football was all about. Just been swallowed up by the PL behemoth.

Yeah, me too. One more win should do it. The least stressful time to get that win would be today...

Yeah, when you think about it for a second you realise that Man U are incredibly tinpot.

Good answers on here. It's been an interesting aspect of the PL that London clubs are increasingly exhibiting a Death Star-like pull on all the talent. Arsenal, Spurs, West Ham, Chelsea, Fulham, Brentford, Crystal Palace: over a third of the league is based in London. Add that to the potential of billionaires to make essentially village teams like Brighton or Bournemouth PL clubs, and it's little wonder that there are some big cities like Bristol and Bradford unrepresented at the top. In that light, NCFC's achievement in continually swimming against that tide should probably be given more respect...

Very underrated, and correct, answer

You really shouldn't use 'bladder' and 'explodes' in the same headline

Yes, completely agree. Have no problem with it on footballing terms. It's just the way it screws the smaller clubs, and the way it's seemingly been introduced without serious consultation with them, that rankles.

I usually just rack up some ket

I mean. Phwoar.

Astounding. And simultaneously not remotely surprising.

There are way worse threads on this forum

I know that this is old-fashioned, but it would also just be wrong, as the anger at Everton's behaviour in 1985 (almost 40 years ago) makes clear.

Honoured to

If this has to happen a simple rule that the lower-division team gets 100% of the gate receipts, regardless of where the tie is played, would be a great gesture that would cost the bigger clubs very little and make a big difference to the minnows. Chance of that happening: 0%, obviously. But it would be an easy win for a football regulator...

Still absolutely spitting that I didn't even make the bench.

Very well said. The whole thing stank. Wider interests of football my aṣs.

I see Man City went out of the Champions League last night.

@GodlyOtsemobor out!

You can't criticise his engine, though. Absolutely relentless. The Gary Holt of this messageboard.

@Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Manand @cornish sam both sound more knowledgeable than me. Thanks both

Not sure it qualifies as 'news'. Semi-confident speculation at best 😉

You guys can sort it out between you 😉