I am far from pleased because the ITV News coverage of Lambert's comments was not fronted up by Damon. They had him out in the West Country getting wet. I did not raise my children to get wet in Somerset when there are Aston Villa managers to interview.
I've played at Wembley for Villa and Lambert has got this one wrong...By Neil MoxleyLee Hendrie played for Aston Villa between 1995 and 2007 and ran out at Wembley for his first professional club. Here, he tells NEIL MOXLEY why the FA Cup still matters... I was lucky enough to play for Aston Villa in the Premier League for over a decade - and I was fortunate to play for them in a FA Cup final.I think I’ve got a decent perspective on my club. And I’m sorry to have to tell our current boss Paul Lambert that he’s called this one wrong.He might have meant it with the best of intentions but he’s misjudged this. The FA Cup does matter. It matters to the players, it matters to the club but most of all, it matters to the supporters.They can’t understand the pressure that Lambert is under to produce the results that will safeguard Villa’s position in the big-money league.They don’t see the figures or the spreadsheets. They see the glory.Of course, it doesn’t help that Villa have won this competition seven times. Even though the last time was in 1957, the FA Cup sits proudly on our honours’ board.So the fans do feel a connection to it. And so do the players. It is a special day. I’ve spent the last couple of seasons in non-League and it’s a unique occasion when you play in the FA Cup.Never mind the third round. What about the qualifying rounds or the first and second round proper?The competition has given me some of the best days of my career. was talking about it the other day with my wife when I was going through a few DVDs I’ve got of the games I played.For instance, when we reached the final in 2000, it was an epic journey to get there.We played Leeds United 3-2 in a televised game which will be remembered for Benito Carbone scoring a great 40-yarder past Nigel Martyn. Then we had a real struggle to beat Everton at Goodison.Then there was the semi-final against at Wembley. I had been struggling with an ankle injury and was on the bench.The game itself was uneventful but with about one minute to go before penalties, our manager, John Gregory shouted: ‘Quick, get your tracksuit off. I want you to go on and take one.’I had hardly stepped onto the pitch when I took the second spot-kick. I think Gareth Barry had scored our first.I hadn’t touched the ball. Millions were watching on the television, my family was up in the stands and I’ve been given a spot-kick that will be crucial in firing my club to an FA Cup final.No pressure there then.Jussi Jaaskelainen stood before me and I hit it sweetly. He got his fingertips to it....but it went in.Running back to the centre circle to see my team-mates after scoring was one of the best feelings of my life. Mind you, taking the walk up there wasn’t that great.Then there’s the build-up to the final. Getting your suits made, all the interviews and the hype and, playing at Wembley again.People are talking about it. At the petrol station. At restaurants. Especially being a local lad, it’s in your face all the time. And for a good reasons, too. It’s your chance to write your name in the record books.In the end, it was a disappointment as we lost to Chelsea. I was on the bench and didn’t come on until the last few minutes. But you can’t take it away from me.Don’t forget, despite the fact that I played for my country at Wembley, the only other chance I had to do so was in the FA Cup.I had been taken there, with fellow teenager Darren Byfield, and told to change into my strip before the 1996 League Cup final against Leeds United as we warmed up on the pitch beforehand.That was a brilliant experience in itself. But to play in the FA Cup at Wembley... you are part of history. So I would hate to think Lambert simply doesn’t acknowledge the importance of a competition that Villa could do well in.I think he was being honest. He has probably voiced an opinion that other managers are scared of doing.He is under pressure to keep Villa in the Premier League. But for the supporters, the game has to be about a bit more than that.We took 40,000 fans to Wembley. I’m sure we could have sold twice that number of tickets.So, it does matter. The fact is, people still do care about the FA Cup. I have no axe to grind with Villa’s manager but, like I say, I think he’s called this one wrong.
In what position would you go for it then?A few places higher and we would be looking at getting into Europe.
Quote from: Dave Clark Five on January 03, 2014, 03:25:57 PMIn what position would you go for it then?A few places higher and we would be looking at getting into Europe.What gets me is that people somehow think playing 6 FA cup games will be a big burden for a team when basically they have about one game a week between now and end of the season.
Rodney Marsh is an absolute bell end.
Quote from: olaftab on January 03, 2014, 09:15:55 PMQuote from: Dave Clark Five on January 03, 2014, 03:25:57 PMIn what position would you go for it then?A few places higher and we would be looking at getting into Europe.What gets me is that people somehow think playing 6 FA cup games will be a big burden for a team when basically they have about one game a week between now and end of the season.Exactly - how many midweek league games between now and end of April? 2 or 3?
Quote from: rob_bridge on January 03, 2014, 09:55:57 PMQuote from: olaftab on January 03, 2014, 09:15:55 PMQuote from: Dave Clark Five on January 03, 2014, 03:25:57 PMIn what position would you go for it then?A few places higher and we would be looking at getting into Europe.What gets me is that people somehow think playing 6 FA cup games will be a big burden for a team when basically they have about one game a week between now and end of the season.Exactly - how many midweek league games between now and end of April? 2 or 3?Whatever Lambert said, how can we be in a position that he deems to be so precarious that we treat the FA Cup lightly? Some may wish to resolutely follow the Club line, but dismissing the FA Cup at Round 3 is ridiculous.
It is all on Talk Sport as well now. They must have misheard Lambert also.
Quote from: Dave Clark Five on January 03, 2014, 11:09:45 PMQuote from: rob_bridge on January 03, 2014, 09:55:57 PMQuote from: olaftab on January 03, 2014, 09:15:55 PMQuote from: Dave Clark Five on January 03, 2014, 03:25:57 PMIn what position would you go for it then?A few places higher and we would be looking at getting into Europe.What gets me is that people somehow think playing 6 FA cup games will be a big burden for a team when basically they have about one game a week between now and end of the season.Exactly - how many midweek league games between now and end of April? 2 or 3?Whatever Lambert said, how can we be in a position that he deems to be so precarious that we treat the FA Cup lightly? Some may wish to resolutely follow the Club line, but dismissing the FA Cup at Round 3 is ridiculous.It's a good job he hasn't then.
Quote from: pauliewalnuts on January 03, 2014, 08:14:20 PMRodney Marsh is an absolute bell end.Yup
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Topic: The FA Cup. (Read 72038 times)
