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It may have escaped your notice, it almost escaped mine, but tomorrow is FA Cup final day. Firstly, my apologies for taking up some valuable blog time a few days before the Champions League final to discuss a couple of European lightweights competing in a lesser cup final, but I couldn’t let tomorrow’s game go without a mention.
The FA Cup final returns to the New Wembley tomorrow and it’s unfortunate that its seems to have happened a year too late. Last year, Liverpool and West Ham battled it out in a memorable edge of the seat final that went all the way to a penalty shoot-out which went in our favour (click here) . It was a final regarded by many, as the greatest FA Cup final of the modern era and it was a game that would most certainly have graced the FA Cups return to the New Wembley. Sadly, by comparison, tomorrow’s game is turning out to be nothing more then a damp squib.
CSKA London and the mancs will compete against each other tomorrow in what the media had tried to hype up as a “dream†final. Well that “dream†final has certainly turned into a bit of a nightmare for the FA because there seems to be a remarkable lack of interest in the game from football fans.
Of course, the supporters of both teams involved will have an interest, but even that seems to be a bit muted judging from some of the ones I’ve spoken to and the various websites I’ve looked at. The press coverage too, seems to have been very low key and even Jose MOANinho’s dog was given more headlines then tomorrow’s game. So what’s the problem? Well I believe there are several reasons to explain the general apathy from football supporters towards this final.
Firstly, the supporters of both sides will have had their eyes on the big prize that we will be playing for next Wednesday. However, having their dreams destroyed by the well deserved victories of both ourselves and AC Milan over their sides, may have woken them up to the fact that when it comes to competing at the very highest level for the biggest prize in the game, their teams have been shown to be out of their depth. So to them, tomorrow’s final will seem like a bit of an anti-climax to the season.
As for the neutrals lack of interest. Supporters are just fed up to their back teeth with the media’s season-long overhyping of the chavs vs. the mancs, Moaninho vs. Fungusface, it became boring a long time ago and tomorrow is no exception. One of the big things lacking in the game is an underdog element. People love an underdog and if there was a team from outside the top four in the final, it would have generated far more interest among neutrals.
Another thing which makes this final a real turn off to neutrals is that if two of the top four are to contest a final, a game between chelski and the mancs is by far the least attractive of the options available. The reason for this is that of the big four, Arsenal play the most attractive football and Liverpool are the most interesting. This may seem like bias on my behalf but it’s the truth. I’m not suggesting that all neutral supporters love us, many of them can’t stand us, but they will always watch us, even if its in the hope that we are beaten.
Consider the extra interest there would be if one of these match-ups replaced tomorrow’s.
Liverpool vs. the mancs – quite simply the biggest football rivalry in the world and a game that really could have been classed as a dream final. Even a game of tiddlywinks between the sides would create a huge audience.
Liverpool vs. CSKA London – There is a genuine dislike between the managers, the players and the supporters which creates a great air of tension in every encounter between the sides. They are usually very close affairs and although the football isn’t always the most attractive, the games are always fascinating.
Liverpool vs. Arsenal – could be called the scientist vs. the artist. Always a good game to watch. They have their style, we have ours and the one who imposes theirs most successfully, usually wins.
Any of those games would generate far more interest and a much bigger audience then tomorrow’s.
As for my prediction of the result, I really couldn’t be arsed making one. A defeat for either side has its plus points but this is offset by the fact that a victory for either side has its negatives. To be honest I don’t even have any plans to watch the game at the moment as the thought of watching either Gary Nipple or John Teary collecting the trophy, I personally find quite repugnant.
I mean no disrespect to the FA Cup which is a trophy I hope to see us win again many times in the future. However, as tomorrow’s game is between the two well-beaten Champions League semi-finalists, I regard it as little more then a third place play-off which is as well gotten out of the way as soon as possible so that people can turn their attentions to a game that has had no trouble in capturing the imagination of football supporters the world over, the real “Dream Final†next Wednesday in Athens!
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 #1 |
gazmaninaus
Posted on May 19, 2007 @ 7:54 am
Yeah well it is a who gives a @@@@ final but none the less its England premier knockout competition and a time honoured tradition. Hope a red team wins it, can’t stand blue.
I still believe we give this competition up to cheaply but thats life.
I have been watching FA Cups for countless years and alway enjoy the occasion.
.
Ps in your previous blog you made mention of Sir Alex saving a bottle of wine until after the CL final. Well unless he’s on antibiotics it’s not humanly possible. I think he’s already drunk it.
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 #2 |
The Doctor
Posted on May 19, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
really couldnt care but if i was id pick the mancs beacuse then theres a chance of mourinho gettin the sack
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 #3 |
simpleman
Posted on May 19, 2007 @ 1:23 pm
Choice between the mancs and the chavs is a hard one. It seems an easier descision to make if you discard what the win would give to the winners and concentrate purely on the outcome for the loser.
With that in mind Rick Parry’s quote coming to fruition would bring a huge smile to my face. “I guess when you’ve invested £500m it’s a fantastic season to win the League Cup”
I’ll only be cheering for a defeat not a victory!
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 #4 |
jonesy
Posted on May 19, 2007 @ 6:02 pm
Anyway back to whether Kewell will play or not…. Zenden injured… interesting stuff……….
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 #5 |
Gerry
Posted on May 19, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
Interesting indeed, it looks like either Harry or Riise to start.
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 #6 |
satyromaniaman
Posted on May 20, 2007 @ 4:45 am
Gerry, you were absolutely right. I should have listened to you and not watch the game. As it was, I tot maybe I could get some laughs watching the game but I ended up sleeping halfway through it.
Riise would be sure starter.. just maybe as a LB or LW. We stil have Speedy to consider too.
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 #7 |
TurkishRed
Posted on May 20, 2007 @ 10:09 am
The distinct lack of comments proves your point Gerry. No one gave a shit. Next Blog please…
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#8 |
Gerry
Posted on May 20, 2007 @ 5:36 pm
Point taken TurkishRed, I’m working on it.
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 #9 |
Bonzo
Posted on May 20, 2007 @ 11:12 pm
well said gerry
i myself agree it was going to be a abismal final and it didn’t disappiont. i didn’t end up watchin the final as i was instead going into the heart of manc land to watch the harlem globetrooters which was by far more entertaining than the FA cup final plus it was even better when i turned up with a liverpool shirt on and seein the looks on thier faces: priceless!
bring on AC and number 6!
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 #10 |
rick
Posted on May 21, 2007 @ 9:40 am
You proved to be right, Gerry. It was an abysmal game. But is still hurts that, as the holders, we gave it away so tamely, at home to Arsenal.
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 #11 |
mfarruge
Posted on May 21, 2007 @ 10:21 am
Hi Ger
First time in years I have not stayed up to watch an FA Cup final and I’m glad I didn’t. Was not too much hype here in Oz this year either, a lot more interest on wether HK will start on Wednesday night.
Keep up the work, I love reading your blogs.
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 #12 |
AK
Posted on May 21, 2007 @ 10:45 am
Gerry et al,
well you were all absolutely right, shite teams, shite final. I couldn’t believe it but my g/f suggested we go shopping at half time and thats the best thing she has ever said during a game! There was much more going on in the Birmingham markets than in Wembley!
I got a hot dog for £1.20 – lovely!
Bring on Wednesday
YNWA
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 #13 |
Hyde
Posted on May 21, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
Gerry,
Great blog, but just didn’t really care less about the final. Good thing I went to bed early.
The pre-match bollocks has been going on for some while now:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6665037.stm
but, why can’t they just shut up and talk about their own side. Thank god Rafa never starts these crap arguments. The more they moan, the more it sounds like a pre-excuse being prepared for their loss. What wankers…
Oh yeah, some of my mates here in JPN are really starting to piss me off with their “this-is-the-Kaka” tournament shite; please lads, please win this!!
YNWA,
Hyde
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#14 |
simpleman
Posted on May 21, 2007 @ 4:31 pm
I tried to watch the final in order to get me out of doing any work (as I’m a lazy bastard). I was working in the first half and just had half an eye on the match. I then stopped work to concentrate on the game for the second half however I ended up falling asleep, for about 20 mins. Woke up and tried to watch the rest but struggled. I then tried a novel idea to try and keep me awake and concluded that ironing ones scrotum whilst watching a manc v chelski game not only keeps you awake, but also gives your balls a nice tan!!!
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 #15 |
FTO_Malta
Posted on May 21, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
Hi Gerry et al
I too have refrained from watching the final. Didn’t even bother seeing the highlights. I am just all tensed up for the final.
Ger are you going to submit a blog before the final – would really like that.
Heard some really lame talk from Ancelloti. Here in Malta we get loads of Milan supporters (compared to the very little Liverpool ones). we are getting all sorts of crap.
Can’t wait for next Wednesday ….
and next blog 
YNWA
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#16 |
Gerry
Posted on May 21, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
It’s on the way mate.
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 #17 |
Redscouse
Posted on May 22, 2007 @ 4:28 am
Waiting in anticipation Gerry, mate..
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#18 |
Hyde
Posted on May 22, 2007 @ 12:31 pm
Whilst all of us are waiting, if you have not checked the interview of Pako Ayestaran, Rafa’s right-hand man, on the club’s official website, I thoroughly recommend it.
I was very impressed with Mr. Ayestaran’s comments and attitude– another strong indication that we are definitely heading in the right direction.
Top man!
YNWA, and let’s hope he gets his analysis right for the match on Wednesday.
Hyde
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#19 |
simpleman
Posted on May 22, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
I agree with you Hyde and read that recenlty and thought it was good. it’s nice to get an insight once in a while.
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 #20 |
ruria
Posted on May 22, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
Forza Reds!
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#21 |
simpleman
Posted on May 24, 2007 @ 10:27 am
I’m suprisingly not as pissed at the defeat as I thought I would be. The fact we didn’t lose a 3 nil lead and that fact that we totally dominated the game. It just highlighted what our whole season has been about, the lack of attacking quality.
I guess what’s helping is the potential. If we can get to two CL finals in 3 years with a “budget” squad (compared to the Mancs and the Chavs), and now Rafa has got the cash, our future has got to look good. We’ll just have to win the PL and CL next that’s all. Imagine the parade next year!
It’s good to see that Rafa isn’t having any favourite, especially seeing Gonazales is on his way, after the hype Rafa gave him. If I was an under performing LFC player I would be shitting myself, cos I’d know I’m on my way out.
Also Europe and the PL must be cacking their pants too. The way we stop teams playing and dominate games is one thing, but adding to that the goal threat no doubt Rafa is going to buy in is going to make us unstoppable.
We’ve been criticised in the past few seasons by mancs and Chavs saying the next season we’ll be contenders, surely if Rafa can get his targets we should now be realising that dream.
We are wounded but you should never fuck with a wounded animal. We’re gonna be back and we’re gonna rule!
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