5 reasons why the FA and the Premier League have devalued the FA Cup

The FA Cup has been grossly devalued in recent years and I suggest the blame lies squarely with the FA and the Premier League. From the top teams using FA Cup games as little more than reserve matches with revenue, to the glory of Wembley being diluted for semi-finals, the tournament has lost most of its splendour.

Below are the five main reasons why I blame the powers that be.

1) Semi-finals at Wembley

As a rule of thumb, semi-finals ought not be held at the same venue as the final. Not only does it cheapen the grandeur of the cup’s climax, it intensifies the significance of quarter-finals.

Not a problem you may think, but when you consider that a manager like David Moyes dropped half his team for a Merseyside derby (!) in order to achieve a false sense of glory (which a Wembley semi-final inherently is – see Bolton for details) then something is not right.

2) Rescheduled fixtures

Having mentioned Moyes, and after being so critical of him this week, I’ll give him his due now. In an  interview with the Daily Mirror earlier this week, the Everton manager blamed the Premier League for rearranging the Liverpool game so close to the quarter-final.

He is completely right. The Premier League’s decision betrays an evident lack of understanding of the demands placed on clubs at this stage of the season.

As both Everton and Liverpool are involved in the FA Cup this weekend, and the dates for the semis are set for April 14/15, it obviously makes most sense to allow both teams to concentrate on the quarters then reschedule the league match for a time in between the two.

Not to mention the fact that the Premier League’s choice of date clearly gives Sunderland and Stoke (Everton and Liverpool’s respective opponents) an advantage.

3) Timing of the fixtures

I admit this is a personal one but even so, see what you think.

Everton and Sunderland’s quarter-final was played at 12:45 on a Saturday afternoon. I could go into a lengthy diatribe here about the damaging influence of television and advertising on football, but instead, I’ll keep it short.

This was both sides’ biggest game of the season and for the FA to choose for them to play it at a time that not only requires physiological adjustment and preparation, but one that also notoriously results in the worst possible atmosphere is a real disgrace.

Is it really too much to ask for the FA to arrange a marquee fixtures specifically to create the best possible conditions for a great game?

4) Standardising the final

This year’s FA Cup final (May 5) will again be played on the same day as a Premier League game (Arsenal vs Norwich). Bearing in mind that every other team plays 24 hours later, and the fact that Tottenham are away at Villa that day, I find the decision to place Arsenal’s game on the Saturday strange to say the least.

For the sake of caution, I’m tempted to say ‘there’s probably a good reason for it’, but if I’m honest, that’s not what I think at all. Given the current FA and the apparent air-plucking that goes into decision-making, there is probably no good reason for it at all.

The energetic pre-final buzz – one of the most photographically vivid aspects of my youth as a football fan – has sadly dissipated to indifference as the showpiece of the season has become just another game.

5) Incentivisation 

The winner of the FA Cup receives £2 million and a place in the Europa League.

This fee is less than Birmingham City received last season for their final league position of 18th which as we all know, saw them relegated.

That is completely absurd. Can it really be more economically viable to get relegated than win the FA Cup?

As the honour has diminished over time (and it really has if you recall that Chelsea and Manchester City account for four of the last five winners) then further incentivisation is required.

Offer a better prize and everyone will care more, simple as that.

By Chris Smith

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Premier League predictions

After previewing the next set of Premier League fixtures, the weekend can’t come fast enough for me. There are some fantastic games in store as newly-crowned Carling Cup champions Liverpool welcome Arsenal to Anfield with confidence in both camps.  Add to the bill Manchester United’s  inevitably fascinating match-up with Spurs, and a Tyne-Wear derby at St. James’ Park (take that Ashley!) in between, we have a couple of cracking Match of the Days on our hands.

My score last week was a respectable seven out of 20 – my best so far, which is quite misleading really , because obviously that sounds rubbish – it’s not even half. But keep in mind that 20 out of 20 would represent a flawlessly perfect ability to predict that would justify the most lavish and rampant gambling that I would only end up going over board and losing everything. 10 is my aim, and so seven is fine. Those that wish to, feel to comment or email your own predictions or thoughts to cdsmith1@hotmail.co.uk or via @cdsmith789 on Twitter, I think I might do some sort of article in the future along the lines of statistical analysis and bullshit. Remember, one point for a correct result, two for a correct score.

Last week’s score: 7

Saturday March 3, 2012

Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal 12:45
Liverpool deserved their Carling Cup success last week not only if you look at the balance of play during the game, but also if you take into account Kenny Dalglish’s selections and the players application throughout the competition. Most clubs tend to suffer some sort of hangover from a game like that, but I don’t see Liverpool as one of those sides – the semi-final victory against City was followed up with FA cup success over United, for example. After Arsenal’s thrilling comeback against Spurs, I expect atypically confident showing in parts but I anticipate Suarez will find a lot of space in behind, so 2-1 Liverpool for me.

Blackburn 2 – 1 Aston Villa 15:00

Darren Bent’s injury and Robbie Keane’s exit will hit Villa hard because otherwise they are pretty poor. Admittedly, they seem to perform better away from home, though Steve Kean must have pinpointed this game as a chance for victory after facing three of the top six in the last four. Yakubu needs to regain his excellent form from before his suspension in order for Rovers to stay up. Given the large-scale protest from Blackburn supporters planned for the build-up to this game, I was almost tempted to go for a draw considering the negative effect these protests have often had on results but Kean, despite his horrendous managerial record, has proven that he can get the players to respond.

Man City 4 – 0 Bolton 15:00

So predictable has an Etihad game become that even a novice such as myself has correctly predicted the scoreline of both of their last two home fixtures. The fact that Bolton were so comprehensively beaten by the worst Chelsea side in nearly a decade at its lowest ebb for probably longer affirmed my belief that Owen Coyle’s men will be relegated. David Silva’s excellent contribution to Spain’s 5-0 thrashing of Venezuela confirmed that he is regaining top form and with Aguero playing his best football for City, the title race is about to get fascinating. 4-0 is a bit of a risk, but sod being cautious, I’m on a roll!

QPR 0 – 1 Everton 15:00

As an Evertonian, I am delighted that Djibril Cisse is still suspended following his ridiculous debut red card. With Cisse’s Liverpool past…well you know how football works, don’t you? I expect QPR to perform a lot better than they did during last week’s derby defeat to Fulham. In truth, they couldn’t do much worse. For once, they need to keep their discipline to give themselves a chance. Everton will really miss Landon Donovan whose record of six assists in nine games speaks for itself. The only comparable player to the American at Goodison is Leon Osman and if, as expected, he returns to the team, I anticipate that Steven Pienaar’s presence will unburden him of the early-season pressure he felt as a result of the South African’s sale along withMikel Arteta.

Stoke 2- 1 Norwich City 15:00

I really enjoyed watching Norwich against Manchester United, particularly Grant Holt who has been in form for nearly three seasons now. Despite this, I think calls this week for an England cap were not only premature but stupid. Maybe he could have given us a bit more up front in that famous Hungary hammering of 1953, but in 2012? Come on. And I say that as a big Holt fan. I must confess my Stoke appreciation of the last few years has dwindled of late. I find them quite boring at the moment but I predict a good, attacking side like Norwich will get a decent performance out of them and they will just do enough.

West Brom 2- 1 Chelsea 15:00

In terms of an honest, interesting critique, Roy Hodgson is probably the best manager for post-match interviews. His calm and rational reactions give great insight into the way he manages to get the best out of his players. For instance, the way in which he politely condemned his players’ costly defensive lapses at home earns him the two sensational performances and victories they have had against Wolves and Sunderland. I think the game will be much like when Chelsea played Everton who had hit a similar if less spectacular run of form. West Brom to dominate, Odemwingie to score.

Wigan 0 – 2 Swansea 15:00

Wigan cannot defend and I expect them to get absolutely turned over any time soon. They are so bad that for me their presence in the Premier League serves only to offer hope to the most disconsolate of Blackburn and Bolton supporters. They will be picked off as soon as they play someone who can exploit space and individual errors, and though Swansea have only nine points from a possible 39 away from home, they can certainly do that. Although I have sympathies for Roberto Martinez who seems like a nice sort of fella if also a tactically naive manager, his best player this season has been the DW Stadium pitch so they are doomed, doomed, doomed as I see it. Swansea to play confidently and win.

Sunday March 4, 2012.

Newcastle 3- 2 Sunderland 12:00

Martin O’Neill’s side have lost momentum at  just the wrong time. A positive result against West Brom and the Black Cats would have lost only three games in 16; more pertinently however, they now come into an away derby having lost back-to-back games for the first time since the start of December. Newcastle aren’t exactly flying having let a two-goal lead slip against Wolves and shipped five the game before that. I expect a great game because both sides are as good as they have each been in years but Newcastle’s really watchable strikeforce tips it for me.Plenty of spirit and plenty of goals.

Fulham 2-1 Wolves 14: 05 (what the hell sort of kick-off time is that?)

Wolves deserve great credit for their fightback at Newcastle and if the second-half performance can serve as a minor reference for Terry Connor’s job application, then signs are encouraging. Fulham had a great win at QPR and I was personally pleased to see Martin Jol stick it to Mark Hughes whose walkout on the club I interpreted as a confession that he needs money to succeed as a manager. Clint Dempsey will be buoyed  by sealing a fantastic away victory for the United States over Italy and he will be a big factor. Wolves will battle  until the final whistle but Fulham are a compact, efficient side particularly at Craven Cottage, so a home win for me.

Tottenham 2 – 2 Manchester United 16:10 (What’s wrong with good old 16:00?)

Matches between the top five have yielded an average of 4.9 (call it 5) goals per game. Each one of these games has been so spectacularly gripping that all defensive analysis has been rendered not so much pointless but annoying. For a fleeting, ridiculous moment during last weekend’s North London derby, I honestly thought ‘Spurs can definitely get back to 4-4 here’ and within ten seconds, it was 5-2 and I’d seen another great goal. United were fortunate against Ajax and fortunate against Norwich and though De Gea has made some sensational saves of late, if you were going to base a title prediction on the goalkeepers alone, I doubt United would steal a solitary vote from City. On balance, the mass of talent on display means you have to go for goals especially considering both out of form defences. Defeat would be disastrous for either side so a draw could be on the cards on Sunday.

By Chris Smith

The modern culture of blame in the relentless pursuit of glory

Success breeds contempt

Football fans are a fickle bunch at the best of times.

Individually and collectively, we are all as biased, reactionary and single-minded as each other.

There is however one factor which increasingly divides today’s fans, at least in my mind, and that is success.

I recently read a book celebrating Alex Ferguson’s 25 years at Old Trafford written by Will Tidey, a journalist and United fan who was eight (if I remember correctly) when Sir Alex took over.

It struck me that Will’s team had been so successful during such a formative stage that it would undoubtedly have informed his entire experience of life as a youngster and so on into the rest of his life.

Key points of his adolescence would be marked by Premier League success, or Champions League glory, a Cantona chip or a Mark Hughes volley.

I compared it to how I had found supporting Everton from about 1993 onwards, with three stand-out seasons amidst tedious years of mediocrity and/ or failure all I had to cling to in the way of glory.

The ‘three stand-out seasons’ I refer to are the successful FA Cup run in 1995, finishing fourth in 2005, and making the FA Cup Final in 2009, and they represent the pinnacle of (but by no means the only) achievement for Everton in my lifetime.

I began to wonder how the huge difference between the success of mine and Will’s club would manifest itself in our attitudes towards football and our approaches to life in general, our expectations – even our journalism: could the cynical tone with which I give form to my thoughts be merely laced with the hereditary bitterness of the Blue?

It made me re-examine my expectations, understanding all too clearly that tales such as Will’s,  factual as they may be, appear to me as works of fanciful fiction such is their relation to the current expectations at Goodison Park.

Realistically the gulf is now insurmountable; the capitalisation of football has stacked the odds so far against ‘poor’ clubs that the competitive element is virtually non-existent.

In a time when football is afflicted with an insatiable hunger for accountability and blame, and with fervour for the instant gratification of hope and investment, I began to think of what would constitute pride for your average fan now that nobody really expects to win.

I find myself in the paradoxical position of bemoaning the lack of substantial investment which would allow Everton to seriously compete whilst simultaneously acknowledging that this may represent the death of the club as I know and love it.

Everton’s new signing Darren Gibson is a case in point.

When we finished fourth, or even the seasons we consistently finished in the top  eight, bringing in a player like Gibson would have been curious to say the least, depressing more accurately.

But to hold a similar view now would be to deny the clear changes in circumstances that have taken grip of the club, and to live in the (albeit recent) past.

And that is precisely my point: these endlessly vocal Blackburn protestors, the Arsenal fans calling for Wenger’s head, Everton’s Blue Union, Chelsea supporters ringing in to phone-in after phone-in baying for yet another managers blood – in short, these representatives of the modern culture of blame in the ruthless pursuit of glory, are all short-sighted, or rather blind-sighted,  consumed by photographic recollections of  past success: imagistic, unrealistic triumph.

Which brings me back to Will who sat in the stands for years and saw trophy after trophy arrive, as expected, year on year, and he struck me as one of the select few of the final lucky ones, the last fans to taste victory in its pure form, earned and deserved, before the money sullied and cheapened everything.

And I looked I suppose more objectively at the signing of Gibson, and at his debut at Aston Villa, to see how this scanned with my new-found realism.

The added impetus to pick an incisive pass, and sense of urgency in attack was a breath of fresh in consideration of the tediously fruitless passing-for-the-sake-of-passing we have exhibited of late; his through-ball for Tim Cahill a great sign of potential.

But am I really saying that in the age of corporate football, and quivering in the shadow of Chelsea and Manchester City’s respective billionaires, I am content with a half-decent performance from another club’s bit-part player who arrived at a knock-down price?

Yes, I suppose I am, in the same way that I am content with any little whisper of good news that may blow past Goodison from time to time.

The issue for me is expectation, and like I said, having grown up on a diet of relegation and mid-table obscurity, though my hunger for success is magnified, it is crucially focused into more realistic goals, all veritable indications of ‘success’ in my own terms.

Like bringing through an exciting young player, or having a manager to be proud of, or beating Liverpool, or winning a penalty shoot-out, or simply putting together a good run of form, or making a decent signing,

As I’ve already said, money has moved the goalposts so far for so many that success in terms of winning trophies is realistically only possible for the risk-assessed chosen few.

So I refuse to allow success to be the definitive, divisive factor it has become; success in British football relates to little more than positive reinforcement for those who need it least, a cheapened crowning glory to reinforce the divide.

Because when you think about it, Alex Ferguson is just one man, exceptional without doubt, but no more immortal than the rest of us, and though his legacy will commit the considerable achievements of his career to the permanence of football history, one day his side will fall as all great sides do, and the same for Manchester City, and even Barcelona and so on.

Maybe the bubble will burst and the wave will break, and football will come full circle again, revert to type and rebuild its reputation from scratch – well, we can only hope.

But then again, paraphrasing perhaps the most lovable champion of the underdog, maybe this time next year, we’ll all be millionaires.

By Chris Smith