'Even allowing for inflation, this thread is not worth 198 Terry Francises' - EPL 2017-18

Not just recent history.

Since Wimbledon won it in 1988 it's only gone outside of the current Prem Top 6 on three occasions.

Which suggests they do take it seriously then. I think FA forced Man Utd to miss the FA Cup that year? I'm not sure how much force was needed though.

I think Darraghmac is right - the 'devaluation' probably does go back to the 1990s just as he says.

Which suggests they do take it seriously then.

Not sure. They all tend to field weakened sides until the latter stages. I guess then that there's usually one or two of them left in and so when they field stronger sides for the semis and final they ultimately prevail.

The list of semi-finalists is actually quite interesting (and a lot more diverse, last year aside). What the hell went on in 2008?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FA_Cup_semi-finals#2000s

Though I doubt any of the ~top six clubs~ or their respective fams would be happy wiht 3 out of 4 FA's yet not placing for CL.

I think I would, fwiw

Yes, if THFC had won 3 FA Cups in 4 or 5 years then I would think of it as one of the most glorious periods of success in the club's history.

It probably is that anyway.

I think FA forced Man Utd to miss the FA Cup that year?

More or less. The FA said they had to go to that stupid tournament in Brazil in January as they thought this would help England's bid to host the 2006 World Cup (which it didn't, at all). Normally that would have meant they would have missed the third round, but their tie could probably have been postponed until they got back. But for some reason (that I can't remember) the third round was held in December that season, so it was actually the fourth round that they would have missed. That meant it wasn't possible to give them a bye (for a round that they may or may not have got through to) and nobody liked the idea of giving them a bye for the third round and the fourth round.

Would trace decline in prestige to that 93-99 run where it just became something that was or wasn't part of a double in that strange period where English clubs were awful in Europe so domestic cups were amplified in importance.

I'd partly agree with the first bit: United 94, United 96, Arsenal 98, United 99 (treble) - so there were a clutch of seasons were the winners wouldn't have seen it as the most important achievement of their season.

The main reason is money, though.

I wouldn't swap three FA cups for three fourth places

Top 4 cl qualification really has become three cup spots behind the league winners and that's probably the single biggest factor

gotta go hard for the chance to field a second xi vs leverkusen

As opposed to vs rushden?

Obviously.

:)

We can fucking beat Leverkusen for a start

I was going to ask if Rushden & Diamonds are still going but it seems they aren't.

has deems from lofty tower conflated rushden and rochdale? j'accuse

No he hasn't it were a placeholder club for all such

that doesn't exist any more ;)

I lie: a phoenix has arisen

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AFC_Rushden_%26_Diamonds

That's a good placeholder then int it

http://cdn.pastemagazine.com/www/blogs/lists/HOMERSIMPSON-GIGS-9.jpg

Too easy.

that is murder

Both goals have been great - but yes, way too easy.

and hector bellerin is the victim

xp Oh, they were beauties, def agreed. But Arse offer nothing.

Oof

This could get realllly ugly

absolute fucking murder

aye

Sane's been the key to all three goals, just gliding through them.

I reckon it could be 6-0 here. Citt too good in the final third without even putting the pedal down

Did a lot of ppl already leave? Stadium is half empty on the long sides.

it's been like that since the start

weather

(although I'm sure more than a few have already scarpered)

LOL missed penalty now.

LOL

Ara jaysus an arsenal goal would've made things a bit interesting

58,000?

Where have they plucked that from?

Incredible that the team one place below Arsenal hasn't won a single game in twelve matches.

Most competitive league in the world etc.

I still don't get how Everton are 9th because iirc they only lose.

Stop underrating Sean Dyche.

He doesn't need to win games to be good.

Dyche is the first guest on Joey Bartons new podcast (Alistair Campbell is the second, i forget who is third)

Last time I heard Joey Barton on the radio he was co-commentating an Everton game on the radio, banging on at length about how much he hated David Unsworth, until the main commentator had to shut him up by reading out the various bookies betting odds

he's just too real for lamestream sports media

the barton-dyche podcast was pretty interesting I thought despite barton's failure grill him on his worm-eating days

my brother pointed out it's a real shame it isn't called Barton Finks

Dick Barton