THE CONCRETE ROUNDABOUT (TCR)

D50 does, and doesn't think it was an epic. Thinks its a disgrace and that's not how football should ever have been played and we should look back on it in horror not joy

I can understand the reasoning for ending replays. And it's seemed increasingly inevitable for a good while.

Almost all other European countries have one main cup competition, not two. And even with one I think most don't have replays? They also have winter breaks rather than a busy Christmas and New Year schedule but that's another issue.

Sticking to our different 'traditions' is fine, when possible in an ever changing and increasing footballing calendar. But with so many new / extended competitions being introduced, for clubs and countries, and so much more running demanded with each generation, then the physical demands of the top / international players has to be reduced somewhere. I'm sure that's why we're seeing more muscle injuries, and more players collapsing with heart issues, despite the players being fitter and more athletic than they've ever been.

I think replays could have been kept for the first couple of rounds, to benefit non-league clubs getting ties at comparatively big league one and two grounds, or getting TV money. However for the international players of the top two divisions, especially the top-flight, those players are pretty much playing all year round and all over the world. More and more games are being created either for club or country and something has to give for player safety and welfare. Falling in line with most other countries and removing replays was always likely to be one of the first steps. Either that, or keep the FA Cup replays but fall in line with most other countries and abandon the second Cup entirely and open up free time that way?

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