FA Cup Surprises

[swaledale]

I know teams field much changed sides but good to see that the lower ranked teams can still get success against the so called bigger clubs, some good results this weekend The two Sheffield clubs must rank as the best, though surely City's second string would be able to beat them?

Puts a perspective on Southport yesterday who ran us close, and demonstrated how teamwork can i a one off game often match better quality players.

[Ramondo]

By 'ran us close' I assume you mean 'close to a draw' rather than troubling us with an immediate exit on the day?

The defended heroically but never really looked in any danger of scoring. To be fair, I think we'd have done better in the replay when they pushed forward a tad more. The down side is that an extra game in midweek was the last thing we wanted.

[swaledale]

All it would have taken is one break away and they may have won it! Indeed they did have a couple of chances, but a draw looked odds on, oh and I didn't notice that Man City had sneaked a winner, but even so a pretty good effort by Wed.

[swaledale]

Well it was nice to see some real upsets in the cup yesterday, we just need a nice easy home draw and who knows??

[HOODIE]

I'm afraid it just shows the lack of interest the 'bigger' teams have for the F.A cup until they get into the very final stages.

It's all about winning the Premiership and or qualifying for the Champions league, where the kudos and money is.

How long before they find a way, in the next few years, of automatic qualification for say the top three into the Champions league and we see the Premiership lose it's appeal for those clubs?

They are killing the domestic game?

[swaledale]

I don't buy that, yes Swansea made a number of changes, but the Chelsea and Man City sides not to mention the Man Utd sides were more than good enough to be able to beat the opposition.

[Manofpride]

I don't buy that, yes Swansea made a number of changes, but the Chelsea and Man City sides not to mention the Man Utd sides were more than good enough to be able to beat the opposition.

Totally agree with that, Chelsea and Man City put great sides out to win, both of them want to win the FA cup but failed to go further thanks to the two great displays from lower division clubs! The FA cup still has credibility and every team who play in it would love to win it, Fact!!!

[ManxRam]

Mourinho was fuming and Pellegrini could find himself out of a job before long so I'd say both sides were out to win the game but perhaps underestimated just how fired up sides can get when they visit these places.

Pochettino must be fuming too Having been one up with ten to play. Leicester on the other hand need league form rather than cup games. This seasons FA Cup has reminded me just what a great competition it can be. Look at the followings some of these lesser sides take, that is their final and the revenue to Bradford from a 40,000 crowd at Chelsea can keep a club in business.

I agree some take it less serious but I wouldn't feel left short should we ever lift the trophy!!!

[HOODIE]

Didn't say the 'bigger' clubs didn't want to win their respective games but no way were they taking them as seriously if three points were at stake?

Do you think we would not like to win it?

However, didn't stop McClaren putting out an experimental formation, would he take the risk in a league game where three points were at stake?

So yes they wanted to win, but not as much winning in the league, not the way it used to be?

[Ramondo]

Fantastic FA cup this weekend, some really great results. Shame it couldn't have continued on into today.

Maybe if todays games had been played yesterday then they might have come out differenty? Perhaps the three prem sides playing today were psychologically on 'high alert' after seeing what happened yesterday. Who knows.

But great to see these kind of results, it's what makes the FA Cup what it is.