Do teams take the FA Cup seriously?

[jwblue]

Or is more like a UEFA cup match where the teams don't care? I have a tip to take the over in today's match, but I have lost a lot of money on these sometimes meaningless cup tournaments.

IS

 

[joeyfitzclick]

Teams care. 100 years of tradition and the second highest honour domestically in England.

 

[jwblue]

Teams care. 100 years of tradition and the second highest honour domestically in England.

Thanks Joey. Do they play their starters?

IS

 

[joeyfitzclick]

For the most part yes in the latter rounds. In the third and fourth round, if a Premiership team faces a non league or Division two team, then regulars will be rested. As the competition gets to the quarter final stages teams look to this as a chance to play in the UEFA Cup next year as the line ups become more recognizable.

 

[fookineejit]

Sadly this once great competition has lost some of its sparkle thanks to the incompetent English FA. Now many of the top teams will play weakened sides in the early rounds to protect their top stars.

Of course the lower league and amateur teams are all busting a gut to knock-out their more illustrious opponents.