The Football.....
- Thread starter Spartak
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Accy cyclist
Legendary Member
- Location
- The hills of Accrington
Maybe the new/next manager/coach might be persuaded to have him as his assistant. 🤔
Accy cyclist
Legendary Member
- Location
- The hills of Accrington
That's a pathetic attendance! I watched a minute or so of the highlights and thought the crowd looked sparse, thinking it'd be about 10 or 11 thousand, but not that bad!
Some of that will be due to the weather but as you say it is very poor.
I remember when the cup final was an exciting day. I would watch from 11 am, a pack of beer and a pile of sandwiches. Sadly the powers that be have destroyed the magic.
PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
I think the answer is yes and no. At Rovers I've seen several managers leave without a replacement in place. We usually had the wonderful Tony Parkes "Mr Blackburn Rovers" in the background to steer the ship. Tony is probably the most successful temporary manager in the game's history. I've lost count of how often he stepped up for us.
On the other hand when Jon Dahl Thompson left us in early 2024 Eustace appeared so quickly it was obvious he had been lined up. JDT wasn't so much sacked as there was a mutual recognition his style had stopped working for the team and we needed a change if we were to have a chance at avoiding relegation. I think JDT wanted out as much as we needed a change.
PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
A combination of the powers that be and the PL clubs who treat the competition with complete disdain. I well recall the excitment of the cup from my youth. For me the issue is PL clubs can put out understrength sides, stroll through those games, and only bring out the big guns in the later stages when a trophy beckons. Long gone are the days when there was a real chance of a giant killing.
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
So Maidstone beating Ipswich in last year's 3rd round wasn't a giant killing?
PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
I was referring back several decades to the times when a, then, First Division team would put out a full strength side in any competition.
Yes, Maidstone's victory was a giant killing but needs to be put in context. A couple of reports I've checked state Ipswich made 10 changes from the side that had played Leicester six days earlier. Given the importance of that game I suspect Ipswich had a full strength side out that night.
I only saw this Ipswich team once last season. A pedestrian side but one which did its job very well.
It was a great result for Maidstone but against a Championship side's second choice team. I say this only to give it context not to denigrate the achievement.
Alex321
Guru
- Location
- South Wales
Agreed, I was just saying that you can't really claim " Long gone are the days when there was a real chance of a giant killing." when a non-league side beat a side at the top of the championship only last year.
PaulSB
Squire
- Location
- Chorley, Lancashire
I'm probably an old romantic but my idea of giant killing is Hereford v Newcastle - I can still remember Radford's goal or Yeovil v Sunderland. I wasn't born when Yeovil beat Sunderland but often read of it, the infamous Huish Park slope, Alec Stock, and so on. Perhaps its age but these games have lived long in my memory. I can't recall even seeing Maidstone's goals.
It's like my memories of a European night at rain soaked Anfield, fog and cigarette smoke swirling in the air. United beating Benfica to win a proper CUP competition.
I think this is the difference and for me the game is poorer for it.
Accy cyclist
Legendary Member
- Location
- The hills of Accrington
I saw the expected Liverpool line up in some online newspaper's report yesterday, so it's just speculation, but the team they mentioned is made up of 'fringe' players, a couple of first teamers and the rest will be 'youngsters impressing at their level'. It said with Liverpool having a 'massive' game against Nottingham Forest 3 days later Liverpool's manager will be resting most of his usual 1st team players. With Liverpool being top of the Premiership and my team Accrington being near the bottom of the Football League, such a line up is expected and understandable.
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I know there is no VAR for FA cup, but Lucas Paquetá going down by the dugout is a classic example of cheating, going down holding his face. Absolute disgrace
