Putney

The Athletic and Telegraph saying it’s £15m plus £5m in add-ons. Fulham have had Birmingham’s pants down

If others/other bodies have made grander statements on what’s ‘lucrative’ for them then I must have missed it. Your response to me otherwise seemed directly about what I said, not about a wider point. The EFL supposedly were not involved, just the FA and Premier League. There’s a statement that was tweeted by Martyn Ziegler. Even if it’s a reality which shouldn’t be ignored, it’s a non guaranteed life support based on luck of the draw. Not all 732 entrants get to play at Old Trafford, vast majority will never be on TV. It’ll be the prize money for most of the 732 that is the incentive. Fulham, its ownership and its current league position doesn’t represent me or my views. The EFL have said it’s because of the expanded UEFA calendar which doesn’t involve them. I’m not renewing my season ticket because I’m disillusioned with it and enjoy watching my local 9th tier side more. I’d rather they scrapped replays for the preliminary rounds which my local side play in. Format wise, if a lower league team has been good enough to hold a higher team to a draw at 90 mins then what’s to say they couldn’t then win it in extra time or penalties? Not only is that probably more likely but it’s also more exciting to watch. One of the earlier examples of Tranmere beating PL Watford in a replay, in the first game they came from 3 down and Watford had a man sent off late on. Tranmere probably would have won it on the night. Magic of the cup would have still been alive and well.

Noted, I’ll keep my opinion on a football forum to myself until I’ve surveyed all FA cup entrants. Maybe they should play best of three, that’ll benefit them financially more.

Magic of the cup does happen yes, we see that already. It happens even less over two games though, hence my point. There isn’t a long list of giant killings in replays. Equally for every FL club that takes a PL club to a replay, there’s a lot more FL vs FL or PL vs PL. As a fan it’s rubbish and no one wants that.

Whilst I understand that, I disagree. It should absolutely not be about the money. Having extra games isn’t going to solve inequality in football. The payday that a lower league club would get from a one off game against Man Utd regardless of whether it’s home or away would be substantial vs the other clubs in its league who aren’t playing a lucrative team.

How effective is taking a top flight side to a replay though? Since 13/14 I believe* only around five lower league clubs have won a replay against a Premier League club. Even if abolishing replays benefits the big clubs more, replays are still rubbish. * Quick glance at wiki: 23/24 Bristol City vs West Ham 19/20 Tranmere vs Watford 18/19 Derby vs Southampton 17/18 Wigan vs Bournemouth 13/14 Sheff Utd vs Fulham

Huntelaar

Bobby Decordova Reid has played in every position for Fulham except centre back and goalkeeper. Always puts a solid performance in wherever he plays.

More goals at home this week than the entirety of the 20/21 season under Parker

It is mind blowing that people think the Premier League is corrupt to the point where they would fix Fulham beating Wolves

Missed the game today but they were absolutely shambolic apparently. ”turn up, kick it about and see what happens” ”mad that one of Luton or Sheffield United won’t finish bottom” “Luton were better” Could hear Basham’s leg snap halfway up the Hammersmith End apparently

Don’t disagree with your general point about PL being different although worth noting Fulham have a history of signing American players. Doubt we’d get any local fans if this was held in the Far East.

The gulf in quality between your Chelsea women’s and second tier women’s side is going to be rather stark, no different to the predicament of the international game. That’s an issue that the women’s game needs to solve but it isn’t a reflection of the level at very top of the Women’s game which Hayes is at.

What did Emma Hayes actually say that was insulting to AFCW and where did she say AFCW/L1 was a step down? No one here is saying the women’s game is on par as though WSL = PL, it’s a different game and the enemy is those who get all hot and bothered thinking they need to defend the men’s honour as those it’s some personal affront to them. A complete shock with football fans I know. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/12206672/emma-hayes-shuts-down-afc-wimbledon-rumours-and-will-stay-on-as-chelsea-women-boss-in-wsl https://www.skysports.com/amp/football/news/11668/12208230/emma-hayes-clarifies-afc-wimbledon-comments-no-amount-of-money-is-going-to-tempt-me-away-from-chelsea