The FA Cup

March 15, 2008, 3:48 PM

So I noticed there wasn't an FA Cup thread.

No doubt only me and Poolz will post in this thread but I could do with getting my post count up again anyway so...

It's been a pretty strange FA Cup thus far to say the least. It's been filled with upset after upset with top English teams being knocked out by far inferior English teams.

I think it's pretty fair to say that the four teams left in it (Portsmouth, Barnsley, Cardiff and West Brom) have rode their luck desperately to get where they are now. Portsmouth are the only top team left in the competition and are now naturally favourites to lift the cup at Wembley.

I personally think that Portsmouth are dead certs to win the competition but looking at how many upsets have happened so far, I can't help but feel a little apprehensive.

March 15, 2008, 8:01 PM

It's nice to finally have an FA Cup where someone different will win it rather than the usual suspects. I doubt it'll last beyond this year but for now at least there's some unpredictability added to the season.

March 15, 2008, 8:05 PM

Funny how it coincides with all 4 English teams being in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Personally, I'd put my money on Portsmouth. They've had a better season than most expected this year; West Brom have being a little below their expected standard, and I can't see Barnsley or Cardiff pulling it off against Portsmouth. It would be nice to see AC Milan go to Oakwell in next years UEFA Cup or something though. xD

And what's all this about Cardiff not being allowed to qualify for the UEFA Cup if they do win it? Something to do with their being Welsh?

March 15, 2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

Personally, I'd put my money on Portsmouth. They've had a better season than most expected this year; West Brom have being a little below their expected standard, and I can't see Barnsley or Cardiff pulling it off against Portsmouth.

Well you never know, Barnsley or Cardiff could thrash us. Stranger things have happened in football this year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

It would be nice to see AC Milan go to Oakwell in next years UEFA Cup or something though. xD

Like when we played Inter at ours a few years ago.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bond

And what's all this about Cardiff not being allowed to qualify for the UEFA Cup if they do win it? Something to do with their being Welsh?

That's the first I've heard of it.

March 15, 2008, 10:18 PM

Meh, it was just something I half-heard in the pub the other day, but I was too bothered about watching the telly. It's a bit harsh if true though.

March 15, 2008, 10:23 PM

I can't really see it being true.

If they weren't going to let Cardiff have that benefit then they wouldn't let them participate in the FA Cup in the first place.

March 16, 2008, 11:43 AM

Cardiff shouldn't be in an English league OR the FA Cup since they are part of the Welsh FA, therefore, in the UEFA Cup they would be representing Wales and not England. It annoys me that that Cardiff think if they win the it that they have bring some sort of pride to Wales...the same Cardiff that refuses to play in the Welsh league.

Pompey or the Baggies will win though, West Brom are probably the best side outside of the Premiership while Pompey have a quality side, especially with the signing of Defoe.

March 16, 2008, 7:51 PM

Don't get me started about Welsh teams in the English league. In 2005, Swansea won the Welsh cup, and one week later played in the Football League Trophy final, beating Carlisle 2-1. If they're playing in a competition meant only for teams in the two lower English divisions, one of which Swansea are part of, why are they allowed to still take part in Welsh league competitions? They might as well just merge the UK into one big super league. Although only the Scottish teams would make any real impact if that happened...

Backloggery · March 18, 2008, 9:41 PM

Rangers and Celtic have wanted to join the English leagues for years now but they don't want that to happen down south, they've always blocked it whenever it came up in the past.

In regards to the Cardiff situation wiki has the following to say, they can't join under modern FIFA rules even though they did qualify for Europe back in the late 60s and 70s.

Quote:

Originally Posted by some random dude on wikipedia

Possible European ban

In recent years, with Cardiff on the verge of a place in the Premiership, doubts have been cast on the opportunities for Welsh clubs playing in the football league to qualify for European competitions. The FA have stated that they would not nominate Cardiff for a place in Europe should they earn one on the grounds that they don't have the option. However their words were contradicted by a UEFA spokesman saying that Cardiff could play in Europe as European countries are allowed to nominate teams even if they don't play within its boundaries. There have been teams who have qualified for Europe in a similar situation to Cardiff, FC Vaduz of Lichtenstein have been allowed to qualify for Europe despite playing in Switzerland and AS Monaco have also competed in Europe by playing in France.[7] Chairman Peter Ridsdale has stated that should they not be allowed to play in Europe then the club would appeal agianst the decision[8] which could see legal action taken against the FA.
On 12 March 2008 UEFA president Michel Platini pledged to help Cardiff should the FA refuse them entry to European competition. He commented
"If England don't do anything, we will"