Why bother playing in the cups?

I don't go often to the Boleyn these days but I did last night. It was a good opportunity to see some of the new players and the ticket price was clearly very reasonable.

The football was quite pleasing to watch and some of the players looked promising, including Burke, Poyet and Sakho. However, one mystery that does need to be solved urgently, is how does Vaz Te manage to get into the team and secure a regular starting place?

For a while it looked like the team would chalk up a decent win, but somehow there was something lacking. There was no real drive to clinch the win and then in the second half the shape went. Sheff Utd simply pushed up a bit and all of a sudden Jaaskelainen's distribution from the back deteriorated and he reverted to hoofball.

Downing added some urgency when he came on but the overall performance was unconvincing. Despite the good size crowd, and what the significance of the match meant to some fans, it seems players pick and choose when to perform and perhap

I think a lot of fans no longer worry too much about cups. I remember last season in the F A Cup Blackburn played Man City which, a few years back, would have guaranteed a full house. In other words a "typical" cup tie. A local derby, a lower league side at home to one of the top. teams in the land.

Was it a sell out? Was it f_uck. When it gets to the later stages the crowds come along but early doors clubs have to slash prices, for which credit should be given, to get a decent crowd in.