Wembley should be for the Final!
March 18, 2009
When I was a young boy, a used to sit down and watch the Cup Final with my Grandad and it used to be one of the best days of the year. One of the first ones which I remember with any clarity is the 1990 Final between Manchester United and Crystal Palace. The game ended in a thriklling three all draw and as a result, people were treated to a mid week replay at Villa Park.
There was something magical about Cup Final day back then which in my opinion has been lost in today’s world of Champions Leagues, Super Cup and Premier Leagues.
This has been exemplified this season due to the fact that the semi finals as well as the final tie itself will be played at Wembley Stadium. Now I know that this has also happend in previous years too, but come on, surely this is taking much of the magical nature away from the hallowed stadium itself?
Get the semi finals played at a neutral venue around the country and safeguard Wembley for the final. Surely this is not too much to ask – yet I guess it is another example of market forces prevailing at the expense of tradition. Bah humbug.
FA Cup Round up
January 3, 2009
The FA Cup never fails to disappoint and the Third Round of the 2009 competition was no different. The day started when League One side Hartlepool United sent Stoke crashing out with a great two nil victory at Victoria Park.
The result which was sure to have pleased the legendary Jeff Stelling, seems to indicate that there is a crisis brewing in the Potteries. Last week Ricardo Fuller got his marching orders after lashing out at team mate Andy Griffin, and this week their hopes of a cup run were ended at hardly the most glamorous of places.
Following on from this, Southend United’s last minute equaliser surely raises questions about what on earth is going on at Stamford Bridge. Big Phil is surely not meeting Roman’s demands and I feel that of he doesn’t get his act together quickly, it could be yet another departure in the managerial hotseat.
Everton narrowly saw off Macclesfield with a goal just before the interval whilst both Arsenal and Liverpool cruised through to Round Four.
Kettering and Torquay are the only non league sides guaranteed a spot in the next round after wins over Eastwood Town and Blackpool respectively.
The draw will take place tomorrow at 3 15 just before the Southampton v Manchester United tie.
WIE looks forward to the Third Round of the FA Cup
December 30, 2008
It is one of the most eagerly anticipated weekends of the sporting calendar this week as the F A Cup reaches the Third Round stage. Historically this has been the stuff dreams are made of as teams are able to pick their wits against some of the country’s elite and on many occasions have forced a shock result in the true tradition of the competition.
This weekend could be no different with many of the bigger teams facing potentially tricky encounters. The Premier League Champions, Manchester United face an awkward looking trip away at Southampton and there will not even be a grey shirt in sight!
Liverpool make the short journey over to Deepdale to face Preston whilst Arsenal entertain Championship side Plymouth Argyle. Chelsea will be hoping to ease in to the fourth round when they face Southend United at the Bridge whilst Everton face a potential banana skin when they travel to League Two outfit Macclesfield Town.
Non League Barrow are sure to have a great day out when they travel up to the Riverside to face Middlesborough we are sure to have non league representation in the fourth round as Kettering Town face giant killers Eastwood at Rockingham Road.
I personally cannot wait for these ties to be played – there will be some shocks you can be sure of that but where they will spring up nobody knows.
Where do you think it will be?
You either watch football or your dont!
November 12, 2008
Over the last couple of year or so, Sky Sports have received a strong competitor for live football and that comes in the form of Setanta Sports. For some people, Setatanta is a cost effective way to watch top class football for a fraction of the price of Sky and the deal seems like a remarkably good one.
However, others have taken less kindly to Setanta , pointing to the fact that they have trod on the BBC’s toes when it comes to England matches. A couple of months ago, this was highlighted when England fans chanted anti Setanta songs during a match, and there was a great deal of upset and disappointed when the fantastic win in Croatia was only made available to subscribers.
The facts of the matter are that Setanta outbid the BBC or certain England matches as well as FA Cup coverage, therefore they are entitled to show them to their members. This is the reality and sadly for some, it is not about to change any time soon.
In terms of whether or not this should be allowed – of course it should, they paid the money for it so why should they refuse to show it? Football is big business now and this is just a small part of it.
In my opinion those England fans who are kicking off about not wanting to pay £12 or so a month to watch top quality football and plenty of it are causing a fuss about nothing. If you want to watch it, you pay for it, if you don’t then buy yourself a CD instead.
Do you agree with me?
Leave me your comments!
The magic of the FA Cup is back!
November 8, 2008
The FA Cup returns to the forefront of the footballing radar this weekend when the competition steps up a gear and the First Round matches are played.
This is renowned for non league teams looking to pit their wits against the lower Football League clubs in the hope that they can create a small piece of history for themselves and maybe a decent pay cheque for good measure.
None of the League clubs will be wanting to fall at the first hurdle of course, as they set their sights on progressing to the coveted Third Round and the potential for a glamour tie against one of the countries elite.
Amongst the potential shock ties this weekend are last years cup heroes Havant and Waterlooville who face League Two side Brentford. Havant secured their place within the hearts of the nation last season when they gallantly bowed out against Liverpool after taking the lead at Anfield. Without doubt this is one of the ties of the round, and the eyes of the country will be on Havant yet again as the match will be screened live on ITV.
Other League clubs who are facing a potential banana skin are League Two leaders Darlington who entertain Droylsden, Lincoln who travel to Kettering and Macclesfield who travel to Ryman League side Harlow.
FA Cup Celebration Photo’s
May 18, 2008
The dust has settled from the FA Cup win yesterday, the Portsmouth players were out till the late hours this morning and this afternoon participated in the traditional open bus parade around the city. From the weekend there has been some great pictures taken and heres the pick of the bunch.
Portsmouth win the F.A. Cup
May 17, 2008
A single goal from Kanu was enough for Portsmouth to beat Cardiff in this afternoon’s F.A. Cup. The games wasn’t the greatest but Championship Cardiff did have a good go at the Premier League outfit.
Cardiff settled well in the game and had the first chance of the half Joe Ledley slid Paul Parry through, his low shot was saved by David James. Portsmouth nearly took the lead when Kanu turned his marker in the box, rounded Cardiff stopper Peter Enckelman and with an open goal hit the outside of the post.
Kanu didn’t let the miss get him down, John Utaka cross was only parried by Enckelman and Kanu was on hand to score from close range much like his semi final goal. In the second half Cardiff pressed on but didn’t really make any clear cut chances.
Sir Bobby Robson handed the trophy to Sol Campbell who lifted the trophy for Pompy for the first time since 1939.
Cardiff secure FA Cup final place thanks to homegrown Ledley
April 7, 2008
Joe Ledley’s first half volley secured a place in the FA Cup final for Cardiff overcomming fellow Championship outfit Barnsley. In the battle of the two Championship sides the team from Wales edged past Barnsely who had beat Liverpool and Chelsea in previous rounds.
The match unfortunatly wasn’t a classic and was decided early on when a long throw was only cleared to Cardiff born Joe Ledley who hook volleyed the ball into the the top corner. Other chances did fall to Cardiff’s Gavin Rae but it was Barnsley who missed the best chance of the game in the second half.
Kayode Odejay, the hero of the quater finals when he scored against Chelsea found himself on the end of a ball from Howard. One-on-one with Enkleman the forward shot into the side netting, the best change Barnsley had to equalise.
Cardiff now go onto face Portsmouth in the Final at Wembley on Saturday 17th May, meanwhile Barnsley have to secure thier place in the Championship
Pompy beat WBA to secure FA Cup Final place
April 6, 2008
Portsmouth secured their place in the FA cup final yesterday beating Championship side West Bromwich Albion to ensure a top flight team in the cup final. WBA did have much of the possession in the game but were unable to great any real clear cut chances.
It was only in the second half when Portsmouth turned up and scored thanks to a former Wesy Brom player Kanu. The build up to the goal was controversial when Milan Baros appeared to handle the ball in the area, his shot was saved by Dean Kiley but Kanu was on hand to tap in from a couple of yards.
West Brom went for a equalizer but the closest they came was a Robert Koran shot from outside the area which clipped the top of David James’s bar.
Overall it was closer than expected but West Brom were unable to show that cutting edge which has helped them in the championship. Portsmouth now reach the final for the first time since 1939 and await the winners of the other semi-final Cardiff V Barnsley.
Polls results – FA Cup Winners?
March 24, 2008
Our first poll on the site looked at the four semi finalists in the FA Cup. Unsurprisingly Portsmouth the only Premiership outfit came out on top with 42% of the votes. Second Cardiff, third WBA and in last place Barnsley who have beaten Liverpool and Arsenal on their way to the semi finals.
We’ll find out who does get to the final on the 5th and 6th of April when the sides meet with the Final in May.
Our next poll is on the weeks talking points, the behavior of players with the referee. After the Ashley Cole and then Javier Mascherano sending off yesterday the media any many fans are looking for a change in the rules so only the captains are allowed to speak to the referee, like in rugby.
So the new poll is – Should only captains speak to referees?
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