The FA Cup.

[Dave Cooper please]

Indie

Jose Mourinho disagrees with Paul Lambert and says FA Cup retains a 'special meaning'

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes the FA Cup has “a special meaning” and disagrees with Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert's assessment that the tournament is an unnecessary distraction.

Lambert suggested the competition is an unwelcome one for Premier League clubs, but Mourinho, who won the trophy in 2007 during his first spell at Chelsea.

"The FA Cup has a special feeling, a special meaning," Mourinho said.

"I was lucky to win lots of trophies but to win the FA Cup at Wembley and feel what it means was one of my high moments in my career. "I have a good feeling for the competition and the good things this country has in terms of football I think we have to keep them."

Mourinho sees no reason why clubs not involved in European competition do not take the FA Cup seriously.

He added: "I don't agree (with Lambert), but Paul has the right to express his opinion and he has a right to think differently than I think. And I have the right to think differently than he does.

"Especially for teams without European competition, where they play 38 matches during a (Premier League) season, and where FA Cup matches come not in midweek matches but one more weekend with football, I don't see a reason for the clubs for not trying to win matches."

PA

Uh huh.

No more than one or two changes to your team from the last game then Jose?

[adrenachrome]

Sky Sports

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew understands Paul Lambert's FA Cup views

Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew says he understands why Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert sees participation in the FA Cup of lesser importance than the Premier League.

Lambert suggested many top-flight managers would prefer to avoid the FA Cup altogether claiming Premier League survival is a much greater priority.

Speaking ahead of Newcastle's third-round tie with Cardiff City on Saturday, Pardew said he sympathised with Lambert's stance, insisting football's authorities must seriously rethink the competition's current format.

"I've got some opinions on this which I think most Premier League managers will share with me," Pardew said.

"The devaluing of this competition is the scheduling of it and they really need to look at that because this will be our fifth game in 15 days and the FA Cup falls right on the back of the Christmas programme.

"I think that's wrong and I think the league need to look at that or the FA or whoever's in charge of the scheduling and move it because I don't think it's right.

"I don't think it's fair on Premier League managers and I sympathise with Paul and I sympathise with a lot of the teams down the bottom of the league where they're going to be looking at their survival which is financially massive."

"For us, fortunately, we've got ourselves in a good position and we can attack the game which we will.

"We are going to use some fresh players because of the nature of where it's at and as I say that needs to be looked at in my opinion if they want the FA Cup to go back to its former glories."

Newcastle will be Ole Gunnar Solksjaer's first opposition following his appointment as Cardiff City's new manager on Thursday.

Pardew acknowledged Cardiff will be boosted by the Norwegian's arrival but insisted his side remain firm favourites to progress to the fourth-round of the competition.

"They will get a boost," admitted Pardew. "I've seen Mark Hudson's interview this morning - Mark is a player I know well I had him as captain at Charlton - he'll get a new lease of life of course that's what goes right across the board.

"Everybody will get a little lift from that and we'll be on our guard for it but there's nothing we can do about it. We can only put our best performance out, we're still the favourites to win, we're at home and I really hope we can win."

[dave.woodhall]

It used to be a nice end to the Christmas programme, back in the days when three games a week was what clubs did. Now it's a pain in their pampered arses.

[Dave Clark Five]

For the benefit of anybody who has not read it, the book From Tividale To Wembley is superb.
It follows Tividale through the competition from a Preliminary Round, then the team who beat them and so on until the final.
Unfortunately, Liverpool, the eventual winners, came into the story at the Fifth Round so spoiled it a bit.

The days when the man in the white coat climbed onto the rostrum at Wembley to lead the community singing at the FA Cup Final have gone.

The Football League Championship Trophy, that carries the name of famous old clubs from years gone by, now carries the names of relative minnows.

Maybe they should play it all behind closed doors and see how many bother to tune in to any live coverage.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

Win the FA Cup and fans are happy but it does little for our wider prospects. Get relegated and good players leave. Sadly, that's the climate a manager works in.

Aren't our wider prospects served by having happy fans?  Or creating new fans? 

As I said before - why can't a club of our size challenge for the cups AND retain our Premier League place?  Why is it either/or?

[London Villan]

The cups are realistically the only things we are likely to win in our lifetimes and last season showed that even an under-performing team can get to a semi-final, which on paper was the easiest one we are ever likely to have. I wish we did take them seriously...

[rob_bridge]

The time it changed for me was when Liverpool won 3 cups under Houllier in 2001. Yes 3.

Despite this he stated that the most important thing that year was to hold off Leeds United's challenge and secure 3rd place.

Agreed

Add to this the joy Wenger and the board of Arsenal have when they scrape into the 4th spot - even though every fan is crying out for an end to their 8 year trophy famine
The fact that the FA themselves supported the red filth to "opt out" for commercial gain - that was the real end to the FA cup, and all part to that decision knew it.
The fact that Fergiscum was the first manager to take the piss with weakened teams, it got so bad that certain managers in prem games openly said "we cannot win at Chelski et al so we will send a 2nd team"

Yep and I believe it was Captain Crutches at Albion who did it so overtly in December 2004 I think v Chelsea.

Then again all of Fergie's accolytes (Hughes aside) seemed to send weakened teams to Theatre of Dreams during his reign - at least psychologically weakened.

[Ron Manager]

The FA Cup is quite simply the oldest and greatest cup competition in the magnificent history of  worldwide football. But nothing matters now except money and instant success does it? And Sky of course!

[Clampy]

Ok, I've heard it all now. They're talking about this on Talksport. One presenter is basically sticking up for Lambert and said that Chelsea will most likely make loads of changes for their cup game. Darren Gough replied that if we called back 'all' our loan players, we would have just as strong a team out than them.

He should stick to talking about cricket. What a uninformed load of bollocks.

[dave.woodhall]

The time it changed for me was when Liverpool won 3 cups under Houllier in 2001. Yes 3.

Despite this he stated that the most important thing that year was to hold off Leeds United's challenge and secure 3rd place.

Agreed

Add to this the joy Wenger and the board of Arsenal have when they scrape into the 4th spot - even though every fan is crying out for an end to their 8 year trophy famine
The fact that the FA themselves supported the red filth to "opt out" for commercial gain - that was the real end to the FA cup, and all part to that decision knew it.
The fact that Fergiscum was the first manager to take the piss with weakened teams, it got so bad that certain managers in prem games openly said "we cannot win at Chelski et al so we will send a 2nd team"

Yep and I believe it was Captain Crutches at Albion who did it so overtly in December 2004 I think v Chelsea.

Then again all of Fergie's accolytes (Hughes aside) seemed to send weakened teams to Theatre of Dreams during his reign - at least psychologically weakened.

It's strange how the Albion do things that anyone else would get slaughtered for. See also Benito Anelka.

[Breezeblock]

Every year we get upset when there are weakened teams picked in the cups. And every year our lowest gates are in the cups.

Maybe the crowds are low because of the weakened teams? I'm not going because i'm fed up of watching our stiffs in cup games. If you remember I said that to you after the Spurs LC game. If the club don't take it seriously then they can't expect me to spend my hard earned.

I have to agree. I was going tomorrow but now I think i'll save my 20 quid.  Thanks for the warning you will be taking the piss tomorrow Mr. Lambert.

Can you tell me where he said that, please, only I've looked everywhere and I can't find it.

I did not say he said it. However the implication is good enough for me.  My season ticket allows me to see the stiffs/under21s play for free. I do not see why I should pay 20 quid for the privilege, particularly if it means going out of cup. I'm sorry Dave but last years FA Cup exit and this years League cup exit were two kicks in the bollocks too many. 

I love the cups, i've seen us win four League cups and I desperately want to see us win the FA cup but as you say, the modern game is all about league position.  That being the case, if Villa can't be bothered then neither can I.  I will take the hint that Lambert will field an understrength team and act accordingly. I also realize that this will void my right to bitch about or celebrate the result.   

[Clampy]

Every year we get upset when there are weakened teams picked in the cups. And every year our lowest gates are in the cups.

Maybe the crowds are low because of the weakened teams? I'm not going because i'm fed up of watching our stiffs in cup games. If you remember I said that to you after the Spurs LC game. If the club don't take it seriously then they can't expect me to spend my hard earned.

I have to agree. I was going tomorrow but now I think i'll save my 20 quid.  Thanks for the warning you will be taking the piss tomorrow Mr. Lambert.

Can you tell me where he said that, please, only I've looked everywhere and I can't find it.

I did not say he said it. However the implication is good enough for me.  My season ticket allows me to see the stiffs/under21s play for free. I do not see why I should pay 20 quid for the privilege, particularly if it means going out of cup.

Do you really think that he is going to play a team full of reserves tomorrow? Why would he, he didn't against Ipswich season.

[dave.woodhall]

Every year we get upset when there are weakened teams picked in the cups. And every year our lowest gates are in the cups.

Maybe the crowds are low because of the weakened teams? I'm not going because i'm fed up of watching our stiffs in cup games. If you remember I said that to you after the Spurs LC game. If the club don't take it seriously then they can't expect me to spend my hard earned.

I have to agree. I was going tomorrow but now I think i'll save my 20 quid.  Thanks for the warning you will be taking the piss tomorrow Mr. Lambert.

Can you tell me where he said that, please, only I've looked everywhere and I can't find it.

I did not say he said it. However the implication is good enough for me.  My season ticket allows me to see the stiffs/under21s play for free. I do not see why I should pay 20 quid for the privilege, particularly if it means going out of cup. I'm sorry Dave but last years FA Cup exit and this years League cup exit were two kicks in the bollocks too many. 

I love the cups, i've seen us win four League cups and I desperately want to see us win the FA cup but as you say, the modern game is all about league position.  That being the case, if Villa can't be bothered then neither can I.  I will take the hint that Lambert will field an understrength team and act accordingly. I also realize that this will void my right to bitch about or celebrate the result.   

He's not said anything you couldn't have worked out anyway so why should that make any difference, and why should a full-strength team losing a semi-final last season impact on a decision you've made today?

[Chipsticks]

Indie

Jose Mourinho disagrees with Paul Lambert and says FA Cup retains a 'special meaning'

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes the FA Cup has “a special meaning” and disagrees with Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert's assessment that the tournament is an unnecessary distraction.

Lambert suggested the competition is an unwelcome one for Premier League clubs, but Mourinho, who won the trophy in 2007 during his first spell at Chelsea.

"The FA Cup has a special feeling, a special meaning," Mourinho said.

"I was lucky to win lots of trophies but to win the FA Cup at Wembley and feel what it means was one of my high moments in my career. "I have a good feeling for the competition and the good things this country has in terms of football I think we have to keep them."

Mourinho sees no reason why clubs not involved in European competition do not take the FA Cup seriously.

He added: "I don't agree (with Lambert), but Paul has the right to express his opinion and he has a right to think differently than I think. And I have the right to think differently than he does.

"Especially for teams without European competition, where they play 38 matches during a (Premier League) season, and where FA Cup matches come not in midweek matches but one more weekend with football, I don't see a reason for the clubs for not trying to win matches."

PA

Uh huh.

No more than one or two changes to your team from the last game then Jose?

To be fair they've got enough depth to field an immensely strong team with far more than two changes.

[rob_bridge]

Indie

Jose Mourinho disagrees with Paul Lambert and says FA Cup retains a 'special meaning'

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes the FA Cup has “a special meaning” and disagrees with Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert's assessment that the tournament is an unnecessary distraction.

Lambert suggested the competition is an unwelcome one for Premier League clubs, but Mourinho, who won the trophy in 2007 during his first spell at Chelsea.

"The FA Cup has a special feeling, a special meaning," Mourinho said.

"I was lucky to win lots of trophies but to win the FA Cup at Wembley and feel what it means was one of my high moments in my career. "I have a good feeling for the competition and the good things this country has in terms of football I think we have to keep them."

Mourinho sees no reason why clubs not involved in European competition do not take the FA Cup seriously.

He added: "I don't agree (with Lambert), but Paul has the right to express his opinion and he has a right to think differently than I think. And I have the right to think differently than he does.

"Especially for teams without European competition, where they play 38 matches during a (Premier League) season, and where FA Cup matches come not in midweek matches but one more weekend with football, I don't see a reason for the clubs for not trying to win matches."

PA

Uh huh.

No more than one or two changes to your team from the last game then Jose?

To be fair they've got enough depth to field an immensely strong team with far more than two changes.

Agreed - so there is a hollow ring to his initial comment. Anyone can take all competitions seriously when you can field 2 full strength teams due to unlimited funds.