No replay for Tamworth then, but at least the four or five most privileged & well-stocked clubs of the 745 that entered the FA Cup get a slightly lighter schedule!
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I think the issue with digging the bigger teams out is that they don't really have a say in the ever expanding schedule either. I've yet to see any top 6 manager or player wax lyrical about the schedule. The suits at the FA, Premier League and UEFA have caused this issue, not the clubs.
It's not sustainable to spend months on end playing 3 days a week. But the point is, if it wasn't for things like the pointless Nations League international breaks, expanded UEFA tournaments, winter World Cups, Club World Cups etc. clubs wouldn't have to lobby to lessen the load.
Only six clubs from the 745 who entered the competition are playing in Europe - this is the entire point being made. Everyone else can easily find time to play their replays, and if you can't because you've got to play in Astana or wherever then that's a you problem
More than 6 clubs compete in European competition and unless you're suggesting the wealthiest and most popular sides pull out of the FA Cup (which would be more suicidal to the competition than a lack of replays) then there isn't much they can do about it.
These clubs have the best facilities, the most bloated squads and endless transfer budgets. If they couldn’t put out a team capable of beating a team made up of bricklayers and postmen across two games then boo-fucking-hoo. Sick of everything being catered to the top 0.1%
EFL sides play 46 league games, then a handful of cup games (don’t get me started on the fucking EFL Trophy having a group stage?!) and have half the squads these PL sides do. Cry me fucking river.
In that case get rid of two-legged European ties and get rid of the ludicrous 36-team new Champions League format (and their grotesque carbon footprint)
All football players need less games rather than more. The financial issues of lower league clubs is surely more about redistribution of income, rather than a cup replay against a PL side. A long shot, but a proper football regulator may help with this
The only fair way would have been to write to every participating club in the summer and get them to agree or not to replays in the cup
Then only if two teams play each other who have agreed to no replays does the game get decided on the day
I empathise with the lost revenue but does anyone really need to see Tamworth go there and get beaten five nil? They had more chance of winning in extra time
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It's a disgrace really and even more unpalatable when you hear them all moaning continually, despite having huge squads, wealth and privileges.
And the international games...don't get me started on those!
These dates were previously saved for 3rd round replays and the league cup semi 2nd leg.
They could and should be fielding teams for replays.
But arrogance fuels their demands to be treated differently.
Then only if two teams play each other who have agreed to no replays does the game get decided on the day