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This tinpot FA Cup Final has to be better than Chelsea v Manchester United

It's five minutes since the Big Four were at Wembley, 69 years since Pompey last won the Cup and 81 years in Cardiff's case. Bring on the 'people's final' that actually means something to real fans.

by Jonathan Naylor on 05 May 2008

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The FA Cup this year has provided perhaps the most exciting and unexpected domestic knockout tournament in living memory, with the big guns falling at every round and the underdogs progressing to the country’s biggest stage. But after the confetti cannons die down and the groundsmen have finished sweeping the ticker tape, how will this final be remembered, and will the lack of world-class names cause the event to suffer?

‘... quality of players does not necessarily equate to quality of match. Chelsea v Manchester United was possibly the most boring final of the modern era’

This year’s shocks have certainly added spice to what is usually a procession of the major Premier League clubs charging to the showpiece in May. With Barnsley’s remarkable run, Havant and Waterlooville threatening to cause the biggest ‘Cupset’ in the history of the competition and a winner having not lifted the trophy for at least 69 years, the FA Cup has undergone a major resurgence in 2007-08. But with the biggest players in English football sat watching the game in the comfort of their homes, the game threatens not to live up to the high expectations expected of the nation’s season finale.

History also threatens to put a damper on the celebratory atmosphere around Wembley on May 17. Neither Cardiff nor Portsmouth have won the Cup since World War II, a statistic which will be in the front of the minds of both sets of players. These clubs also know that an FA Cup final is an opportunity that will not come around every year of their careers. The fear of losing might just overpower the desire to win and defences could remain firmly on top during the final, making for a game lacking in quality or adventure.

Not only this, but with the dearth of ‘big names’ in the sides, the audience of non-football fans will probably be greatly less than in previous years. Most who do not follow the game will take time out to watch a Manchester United v Arsenal final, but the prospect of Portsmouth v Cardiff City presents something slightly lacking in terms of glamour. Whilst this will not affect the atmosphere inside the stadium, which will certainly be rocking, the buzz around the country will not have the same edge to it.

Comments (3)

on May 05, 2008 on May 05, 2008

The reason why the FA cup has become less of a priority is because everyone is chasing Champions league. Simple solution is to stop handing out Champions league places to runners-up. 2nd and 3rd should get UEFA along with the carling cup winners and League and FA cup winners get champions league, simple! after all it is called CHAMPIONS league and the word "Champion" means "winner"!!!!

by James Hammond on May 14, 2008

I think Lassina Diarra, Krancjar, Muntari, Glen Johnson would care too disagree with the authors definition of quality players!!! Campbell, Kanu, David James and Robbie Fowler might disagree about the lack of big name players!!!!!!!!! Another poorly written article. This site should be called "fantasy/controversial sports articles"

by casino roulette casino roulette on May 15, 2008

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