Crystal Palace (N) - Sat 17th May, 16:30 | FA Cup Final | Pre-Match Thread

[Lovebitesandeveryfing]

It isn't the more important game at all.

If you value revenues over silverware then you've allowed the media to completely brainwash you. We've spent big money on some average players in recent times. We've sold good players for big sums and our net spend has been relatively low. If the club sort themselves out they can improve us without the extra revenue from the CL. We're getting a big chunk from the CWC. The dippers, arsenal, newcastle and villa aren't.

Imagine being a kid and getting told that the FA Cup wasn't important because finishing 5th in the league was the priority!

As a fan, I thoroughly agree with this, although the club may not. Heavens, have we really got to the point where we bow down to the CL, where the mere fact of participating in it — and for what it's worth, I think it could be a good long time before we get through to semi-finals and finals again, two, maybe three seasons, unless players who've been terribly out of form magically regain it next season, and unless we recruit two or three genuine major players this summer — I say, where the mere fact of participating in it outranks an appearance at Wembley for the world's oldest and most venerable knock-out competition?

But anyway, we need both, and this team should be going for both. As should (and will) the manager.

 

[youngbob]

Why is 59 year old Gundogan starting week in week out?

He didn't start against Southampton tbf.

 

[Stelea]

Saturdays shit show has now turned this into a problem line up as Pep will no doubt (and rightly so), have one eye on Tuesday. There will be numerous players burnt out after 90 minutes (maybe 120) then useless for Tuesday.

 

[jimharri]

I see the tickets have come down to my level (pretty much bottom rung of the ladder). But if they think I'm paying £255/285 for a ticket, they can fuck off. Even if the lowest priced tickets were still available, I wouldn't be going. Once flights, hotel and money for a lemonade or three are taken into account, you're looking at upwards of €350 for the trip. Which is impossible to justify. I've been lucky enough to have been at 4 of the 5 finals since we were founded back in 2008. That'll do for me.

 

[city9320]

He didn't start against Southampton tbf.

Still started the last 7 league games prior.

 

[supercity88]

As a fan, I thoroughly agree with this, although the club may not. Heavens, have we really got to the point where we bow down to the CL, where the mere fact of participating in it — and for what it's worth, I think it could be a good long time before we get through to semi-finals and finals again, two, maybe three seasons, unless players who've been terribly out of form magically regain it next season, and unless we recruit two or three genuine major players this summer — I say, where the mere fact of participating in it outranks an appearance at Wembley for the world's oldest and most venerable knock-out competition?

But anyway, we need both, and this team should be going for both. As should (and will) the manager.

I wouldn't expect the club to agree, money talks! But I still love the FA Cup the way I did as a kid. And being born after 81 meant I waited a while for a final!

Its a sad state of affairs that fans even feel that CL qualification is more important. In twenty or so years I don't think our museum is going to show "record revenues 2025" as a crowning achievement. But it will probably show the FA Cup trophy is we manage to win it.

 

[jimharri]

I wouldn't expect the club to agree, money talks! But I still love the FA Cup the way I did as a kid. And being born after 81 meant I waited a while for a final!

Its a sad state of affairs that fans even feel that CL qualification is more important. In twenty or so years I don't think our museum is going to show "record revenues 2025" as a crowning achievement. But it will probably show the FA Cup trophy is we manage to win it.

Bottom line, as far as the club is concerned.....



Sad, but true.

 

[ONTHERUNWITHTHAKSIN]

Love the tradition of the FA cup but it’s been diluted by the Cartels insistence on the PL and qualification for the CL

If the winners were given CL spot then it would be more beneficial to the top teams

This year with it being 5 teams would have been ideal for CL to the winners

Also fucking off the European Cup Winners Cup also diluted the FA cup

Either way I want us to win the oldest cup competition but I’m just an old romantic

 

[manimanc]

I see the tickets have come down to my level (pretty much bottom rung of the ladder). But if they think I'm paying £255/285 for a ticket, they can fuck off. Even if the lowest priced tickets were still available, I wouldn't be going. Once flights, hotel and money for a lemonade or three are taken into account, you're looking at upwards of €350 for the trip. Which is impossible to justify. I've been lucky enough to have been at 4 of the 5 finals since we were founded back in 2008. That'll do for me.

Ha ha i like the founded in 2008 comment.

 

[prestonibbo_mcfc]

Still started the last 7 league games prior.

We won 5 of them.

 

[Axel Freed]

Absolutely shocking that 31% of respondents think we’ll lose

Temporary bans for the lot of em, to be rescinded in the event of a City win dependant on a fulsome public apology

 

[Southportctid]

Saturdays shit show has now turned this into a problem line up as Pep will no doubt (and rightly so), have one eye on Tuesday. There will be numerous players burnt out after 90 minutes (maybe 120) then useless for Tuesday.

I don't agree tbh,I think Pep.will put out what he perceives is the best team for the final,problem there is I'm not sure he knows what that is..who does??

 

[big gaz]

Pep getting sacked?

;-)

 

[Ribble73]

Love the tradition of the FA cup but it’s been diluted by the Cartels insistence on the PL and qualification for the CL

If the winners were given CL spot then it would be more beneficial to the top teams

This year with it being 5 teams would have been ideal for CL to the winners

Also fucking off the European Cup Winners Cup also diluted the FA cups at

Either way I want us to win the oldest cup competition but I’m just an old romantic

The FA themselves started the Rot with the FA Cup by cashing in and having the Semi Finals at Wembley and then whoring away the kick off time to the highest bidder whilst prioritising the Premier League so much that their historic Cup Final became mere side show. So now here we are c30 years later and they’ve tarnished the FA Cup Final to just another match to be squeezed in ahead of their precious Premier League££££

 

[supercity88]

Absolutely shocking that 31% of respondents think we’ll lose

Temporary bans for the lot of em, to be rescinded in the event of a City win dependant on a fulsome public apology

I would imagine a good number of those always say we will lose out of superstition!

 

[Stiff Little Wingers]

I don't agree tbh,I think Pep.will put out what he perceives is the best team for the final,problem there is I'm not sure he knows what that is..who does??

No, the problem is that the best team by and large needs to play twice in 4 days because we have very little margin for error if other results don't go for us. If they do, it's more managezble

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

Aye not much belief in our team from quite a lot of faans on here.

Personally I am going to enjoy it and celebrate it rather than moan the fuck out of an unexpected and welcome FA cup final. Its been a bad year, we have had to manage a transition of a whole section of the team (Like any other successful club) and manage an amount of injuries that would cripple any team... So getting to a final and still being top 4 is good for me. next season different story.

 

[Mr. Shush]

Aye not much belief in our team from quite a lot of faans on here.

Personally I am going to enjoy it and celebrate it rather than moan the fuck out of an unexpected and welcome FA cup final. Its been a bad year, we have had to manage a transition of a whole section of the team (Like any other successful club) and manage an amount of injuries that would cripple any team... So getting to a final and still being top 4 is good for me. next season different story.

Eh, I think the moaning comes from the Southampton lineup. We had a full 7 days off. There were only 4 games to go. So put the best possible lineup out there because you have 7 days off before the Final. Fitness should not be an issue anymore. Especially with no midweek game. I think that's what has people moaning. I'm excited for the Final. I think Palace will be a challenge.

Question I have is - are we gonna sell out our allotment? I got notice this morning that tickets are still available. I'm from the States. Hope we come and represent on Saturday.

 

[city saint]

Still started the last 7 league games prior.

Which we won

 

[paulchapo]

Prior to the Southampton game I think most people were looking forward to Wembley, although obviously expecting a tough game against a decent Palace side.
Peps tinkering on Saturday has tempered that enthusiasm slightly. I fear he's going to try and shoe in both Akanji and Haaland who aren't match fit yet and will disrupt the rhythm of the side that's been built up lately.
I was at the Palace game at our place when we won 5-2. We were the better side overall but could easily have been 3-0 down early on. I'm hoping for a similar game without our early aberrations.