THE FA CUP, WHO CARES?

A quick look on the “Club History” page on the official website displays our proud record for all to see.

Five time winners of the FA Cup, semi-finalists last year and for all the Albion / FA Cup statto’s out there, the 5th best record of any club in the history of this fine competition.

Sadly I was too young to witness the last time we lifted the famous old trophy courtesy of the King’s winner against Everton but I have my own special memories of what is undoubtedly the greatest of all Cup competitions.

So, on the eve of tonight’s cup replay at Burnley, and with a mouth watering trip to play Arsenal at the Emirates at stake, why would most Albion fans settle for a second string XI bowing out of the competition with no more injuries / cards picked up in the process?

Have we become victims of the greed ridden world that is the Premier league? Why are 3 points at home to Newcastle on Saturday more important than aiming for another trip to Wembley and the pot of gold (and away game in Europe) that comes with it.

Yes, the squad is sparse, yes the money that goes with Premier League survival is tantamount to building the long term future of the club but why are we happy to sacrifice a place in such an historic competition. Will the travelling diehards who take time off work and spend hard earned cash be happy to see half the first team rested and their replacements half-heartedly take to the pitch not really caring if we make it to the next round or not? After all we’re not going to win the thing anyway….

And what if we do bow out tonight, beat Newcastle on Saturday and go on to stay up. What happens next season? Another relegation battle? At best mid-table? We’re never going to challenge for honours in the current climes of the Big Four and billionaire owners, so where do we set our aspiration levels?

Maybe we can lift the trophy next year instead?

Julian Safe - 03/02/2009