Oh we're not Press-ed up - again

[dave.woodhall]

http://thebirminghampress.com/2018/01/the-ever-changing-game/

[Nunkin1965]

Great piece Dave as you've put into words as to how the FA Cup is seen by the majority. I grew up in an era when the world seemed to stop on Round 3 day at 3 o'clock. That's not the case anymore as teams smell the stench of the Premier League circus and the get there at all costs outlook.

Just like the games modern giants have diluted the importance of this treasured competition so the games modern giants decide what will happen next to the football landscape. Not the Premier League or the FA.

I personally cannot wait for the big six to disappear into the distance and play Barcelona and PSG every other week.

[Steve67]

Nice work Dave. Puts things into perspective.

[WarszaVillan]

Why's the pitch such a mess? Didn't we win some award last year?

[andyh]

Glad you mentioned the pitch Dave.
The first thing I said on taking my seat on Saturday was that I had not seen the pitch looking so bad for a long, long time.

[Ayup]

Good read.

[Boz]

Why's the pitch such a mess? Didn't we win some award last year?

Have we lost the award winning groundsman?

[darren woolley]

Spot on Dave.

[Brend'Watkins]

Why's the pitch such a mess? Didn't we win some award last year?

Have we lost the award winning groundsman?

Jonathan Calderwood was head hunted by PSG I think 3 years ago and won groundsman of the year in France in his first season. 

The pitch doesn't look the best this season.

[Hookeysmith]

Great piece and sums up exactly how I feel about the FA cup.

I cannot remember a year growing up in the 60's 70' 80's where my Mother would make a special spread on FA cup final day and the whole day was spent with the build up and the game. The only games I have seen in the last 17 years both involved Villa and I was there - absolutely not interested in it any more.
With all the ills of modern moneyball the blame can be put firmly at the foot of Man UTD. The day the FA allowed them to "drop out" of the competition for financial gain by them and presence for the FA they started killing the competition off and then allowed year after year Fergiscum to play absurdly weakened teams without reprise.

The greatest cup competition in the world is now a case of which moneybags team wants to win it when it suits them.

As for the pitch I am not sure what happened as it was perfectly ok for the Bristol game but did look in terrible condition on Saturday

[frank]

Very good last section, Dave. Players like Nigel Sims and Alan Deakin will be remembered with an affection and respect that the present generation of mercenaries will never earn. (Basil D'Oliveira is in the news today because his widow's just died. The present Worcs players who come and go, as the Villa players do, will never achieve his standing in the minds and hearts of the supporters).

[Pat McMahon]

Great piece and sums up exactly how I feel about the FA cup.

I cannot remember a year growing up in the 60's 70' 80's where my Mother would make a special spread on FA cup final day and the whole day was spent with the build up and the game. The only games I have seen in the last 17 years both involved Villa and I was there - absolutely not interested in it any more.
With all the ills of modern moneyball the blame can be put firmly at the foot of Man UTD. The day the FA allowed them to "drop out" of the competition for financial gain by them and presence for the FA they started killing the competition off and then allowed year after year Fergiscum to play absurdly weakened teams without reprise.

The greatest cup competition in the world is now a case of which moneybags team wants to win it when it suits them.

As for the pitch I am not sure what happened as it was perfectly ok for the Bristol game but did look in terrible condition on Saturday

Very good article Dave.

Lawrenson made a good point on the radio this weekend. When commenting on the weakened teams fielded by the bigger clubs in various ties eg Villa v Peterborough, he said that the bigger club may field good players with ability / experience etc but they are not used to playing  and fightingas a unit.  That weakens them when the chips are down.

Re Hookeysmith's comments above, I thought that Man U were obliged to drop out of the FA Cup the year they had to compete in that Brazilian tournament? IIRC they were not too pleased about it themselves.

The FA cup is following the League Cup in that most fans only get interested now once they get to the quarter finals and Wembley looms on the horizon.

[cheltenhamlion]

Great piece and sums up exactly how I feel about the FA cup.

I cannot remember a year growing up in the 60's 70' 80's where my Mother would make a special spread on FA cup final day and the whole day was spent with the build up and the game. The only games I have seen in the last 17 years both involved Villa and I was there - absolutely not interested in it any more.
With all the ills of modern moneyball the blame can be put firmly at the foot of Man UTD. The day the FA allowed them to "drop out" of the competition for financial gain by them and presence for the FA they started killing the competition off and then allowed year after year Fergiscum to play absurdly weakened teams without reprise.

The greatest cup competition in the world is now a case of which moneybags team wants to win it when it suits them.

As for the pitch I am not sure what happened as it was perfectly ok for the Bristol game but did look in terrible condition on Saturday

Very good article Dave.

Lawrenson made a good point on the radio this weekend. When commenting on the weakened teams fielded by the bigger clubs in various ties eg Villa v Peterborough, he said that the bigger club may field good players with ability / experience etc but they are not used to playing  and fightingas a unit.  That weakens them when the chips are down.

Re Hookeysmith's comments above, I thought that Man U were obliged to drop out of the FA Cup the year they had to compete in that Brazilian tournament? IIRC they were not too pleased about it themselves.

The FA cup is following the League Cup in that most fans only get interested now once they get to the quarter finals and Wembley looms on the horizon.

Much as I hate them, Man Ure had little say in it. FIFA were trying to make a big deal of the tournament and the FA pushed it in the hope of votes for a World Cup bid.

[kippaxvilla2]

Regarding the pitch maybe we need to get Souters to have another look at it.

[West Derby Villan]

Great piece and sums up exactly how I feel about the FA cup.

I cannot remember a year growing up in the 60's 70' 80's where my Mother would make a special spread on FA cup final day and the whole day was spent with the build up and the game. The only games I have seen in the last 17 years both involved Villa and I was there - absolutely not interested in it any more.
With all the ills of modern moneyball the blame can be put firmly at the foot of Man UTD. The day the FA allowed them to "drop out" of the competition for financial gain by them and presence for the FA they started killing the competition off and then allowed year after year Fergiscum to play absurdly weakened teams without reprise.

The greatest cup competition in the world is now a case of which moneybags team wants to win it when it suits them.

As for the pitch I am not sure what happened as it was perfectly ok for the Bristol game but did look in terrible condition on Saturday

Very good article Dave.

Lawrenson made a good point on the radio this weekend. When commenting on the weakened teams fielded by the bigger clubs in various ties eg Villa v Peterborough, he said that the bigger club may field good players with ability / experience etc but they are not used to playing  and fightingas a unit.  That weakens them when the chips are down.

Re Hookeysmith's comments above, I thought that Man U were obliged to drop out of the FA Cup the year they had to compete in that Brazilian tournament? IIRC they were not too pleased about it themselves.

The FA cup is following the League Cup in that most fans only get interested now once they get to the quarter finals and Wembley looms on the horizon.

Much as I hate them, Man Ure had little say in it. FIFA were trying to make a big deal of the tournament and the FA pushed it in the hope of votes for a World Cup bid.

Agree totally with all three posters above, 100%