Why not just kill one of the cups or combine them?

[n00bie deluxe]

The EPL teams seem to be bitching and moaning on a regular basis about all the games they have to play for the Worthington and the FA Cups. On the one hand, you could say "You guys are getting paid exorbitant amounts to play a freaking game. Shut up and play!" However, I think the 2 cup competition just wears out the English internationals and they are basically redundant. And considering there's a 99% chance that the winner of either match will come from the EPL and not the lower divisions, why do the whole thing twice? Finally, there is the issue of money. Worthington is dropping their sponsor of their cup, and there's that whole row over TV rights.

I say combine FA and Worthington Cup or just kill the Worthington and make the FA the UEFA Cup qualifier.

[Blue Army]

Whilst 99% of the winners are Premiership teams, the cups often benefit smaller clubs. The ones who needs this more than the Premiership clubs, who knows maybe a team in crisis can some how get a big draw which could save their season or status. I enjoy both cup competitions. Premiership squads have enough players to field two teams even with injuries. If a team doesnt want to take a cup competition seriously fine, however a lot of teams do. Personally I would like to see the cup winners cup brought back because all teams objectives are to finish in Europe and by doing this it creates more spaces.

[Mustang2000]

I know lots of people who feel that the F.A cup is more important than the UEFA cup. They certainly don't view it as just a qualifying tournament for the UEFA cup. The UEFA cup place is just an extra bonus that comes with winning the F.A cup.

[JoBeck]

I think they should give the fourth Champions League spot to the FA Cup winner. No league's fourth-placed team should be in the Champions' League (it's to dilluted as it is). FA Cup is a knock-out competition as it is, then you add that extra incentive, and you'd see some very intense football being played.

[n00bie deluxe]

Originally posted by Mustang2000
I know lots of people who feel that the F.A cup is more important than the UEFA cup. They certainly don't view it as just a qualifying tournament for the UEFA cup. The UEFA cup place is just an extra bonus that comes with winning the F.A cup.

I thought the Worthington was the UEFA qualifier?

[michaec]

Originally posted by JoBeck
I think they should give the fourth Champions League spot to the FA Cup winner. No league's fourth-placed team should be in the Champions' League (it's to dilluted as it is). FA Cup is a knock-out competition as it is, then you add that extra incentive, and you'd see some very intense football being played.

Then you could end up with a team from the third division or below (let's go with the fairytale here) playing in the Champions League. Are they more deserving than the fourth placed Premiership team?

[Elwood]

Originally posted by michaec


Then you could end up with a team from the third division or below (let's go with the fairytale here) playing in the Champions League. Are they more deserving than the fourth placed Premiership team?

Is either team really 'deserving' of a spot in a 'champions' league?

Actually, a third division team winning a Cup is more deserving that a top division team finishing fourth (IMO). Neither is likely to win the Champs League, anyways.

[Playable Back]

Just let Kidderminster take the CL spot every year.

[Chicago76]

I'd rather see the FA Cup winner get the fourth CL spot as well. Something I'd also like to see if the League Cup continues is to only allow teams in who aren't playing in Europe in the current season. It could hurt England's UEFA coefficient a bit if a weaker team gets in via the Worthington/League Cup, but it would give the competition more meaning. As it is now, none of the better teams take the competition seriously at all.

[Matt Clark]

Originally posted by n00bie deluxe


I thought the Worthington was the UEFA qualifier?

Both the FA Cup and the Worthington Cup winners receive UEFA Cup spots.

With regarf to the actual question, the only teams you hear bitch about it are the top Premiership teams. And they have no right to complain about such things. It's part of being a success.

It would be criminally short-sighted and stupid for the FA or the Football League to give in to the five or six clubs who would happily support an amalgamation of the two cups. Lesser clubs throughout the structure of the game depend on the two competitions existing as separate entities for much needed revenue and, just maybe, a little time in the spotlight.

The world would be a poorer place if we sacked all that off in the name of "progress" for the English teams engaged in European competition.