FA Cup semis

[RammyClaret61]

Are they still going to take place at Wembley? Or just any ground now?

[jrgbfc]

Yeah still at Wembley, which seems even more daft than usual.

[BenWickes]

I was wondering that yesterday. Would make sense to play it at a neutral ground half way between the two teams.

[claretfern]

A good opportunity now to change the format back to how it was by playing the semi finals at neutral grounds. There's more than enough modern stadias around. Keep the final at Wembley.

[Rowls]

May as well play them at Hackney Marshes for all the difference it'll make this year.

[groove]

A good opportunity now to change the format back to how it was by playing the semi finals at neutral grounds. There's more than enough modern stadias around. Keep the final at Wembley.

There's no way the FA will want to play matches anywhere else than the cash cow Wembley stadium. I wouldn't be surprised if we see the quarter finals there in future.

[Quickenthetempo]

I presume the FA would have to hire any other ground for a semi and change sponsor boards around etc... at more cost?

[mdd2]

Even the League 2 play off is at Wembley

[tiger76]

There's no way the FA will want to play matches anywhere else than the cash cow Wembley stadium. I wouldn't be surprised if we see the quarter finals there in future.

Can't see Wembley being much of a cash cow this year if fans can't attend, Wembley is way too overused since the new build, it used to be that even the top players might only play club games there maybe half a dozen times during their entire career, now it's not unusual for most players at all levels to play there several times in their careers, in fact it's harder to not play at Wembley now, such is the amount of games it hosts.

Just off the top of my head

England games
FA Cup Final
League Cup Final
Charity Shield
FA Cup semi finals
play-off finals

And that's just the football, and doesn't account for all the other sports played there.

Wembley used to be a real novelty for players, now it's become run-of-the-mill, and it's lost it's magic.

Depends who gets to the sf's in a given year, but both Manchester stadiums seem a logical venue for an alternative, they're situated in the centre of the country pretty much, imagine if say Leicester, Newcastle & Sheff Utd join Man Utd in the last 4 today, they'd all face a jaunt down to London, when there's perfectly adequate grounds much nearer to home, that could surely be utilised.

[Claretitus]

Absolutely. This year they should be nowhere near Wembley for obvious reasons. Any neutral ground behind closed doors will suffice.

[Rileybobs]

Absolutely. This year they should be nowhere near Wembley for obvious reasons. Any neutral ground behind closed doors will suffice.

Why should the semis not be at Wembley this year in particular?

[Top Claret]

Wembley is located away from residential developments. It also has good access to airports, railways and road links. You really could not have a much better venue to host covid 19 Cup semis and finals

[IanMcL]

The contract is the contract, mo doubt.

[Bosscat]

Wembley used to be a real novelty for players, now it's become run-of-the-mill, and it's lost it's magic.

Sorry Tiger but you try telling the players that...

Lets face facts, there is still something magic walking out onto that turf at Wembley ... ask any footballer.....

[Claretitus]

[quote=Claretitus post_id=<a href="tel:1306768">1306768</a> time=<a href="tel:1593340210">1593340210</a> user_id=1205]
Absolutely. This year they should be nowhere near Wembley for obvious reasons. Any neutral ground behind closed doors will suffice.

Why should the semis not be at Wembley this year in particular?

[/quote]
Because fans aren't allowed in. The only reason they're normally at Wembley is to get 90,000 in, and therefore raise more money to pay off the massive bill the FA still owe on the stadium.

[Rileybobs]

Why should the semis not be at Wembley this year in particular?

Because fans aren't allowed in. The only reason they're normally at Wembley is to get 90,000 in, and therefore raise more money to pay off the massive bill the FA still owe on the stadium.
[/quote]

But what would be the advantage of playing the semi final at a different neutral venue this season?

[gandhisflipflop]

One of the many mistakes the FA has made is rebuilding Wembley. You're not telling me they couldn't have renovated the stadium while keeping its outer core. The maracana stadium in Brazil was limited to around 10,000 at the turn of the century if memory serves me right because the ground was in such poor condition yet they managed to sort it out for the world cup.

[Bordeauxclaret]

Because fans aren't allowed in. The only reason they're normally at Wembley is to get 90,000 in, and therefore raise more money to pay off the massive bill the FA still owe on the stadium.

But what would be the advantage of playing the semi final at a different neutral venue this season?
[/quote]

Less travel presumably.

Not sure what’s going on with the quoting.

[Paul Waine]

What happens if Leicester are in the semis and the city of Leicester is in lockdown?

Similarly, what will happen to Leicester's remaining home games? They should also need to find a new venue, outside the lockdown zone - always assuming football players are allowed out of the lockdown zone. (What's the pitch like at Barnard Castle, I hear someone ask).

[Paul Waine]

More important question: if a top 6 team wins the FA cup, and City's European ban is upheld, does it mean that 8th place will qualify for Europa this year?

[Rileybobs]

But what would be the advantage of playing the semi final at a different neutral venue this season?

Less travel presumably.

Not sure what’s going on with the quoting.

Depends who’s in the final though doesn’t it. And I suspect a lot of the media will be London based so there’s less travel for them. And as we don’t know who’s going to be in the FA cup final I really don’t see any advantage in changing the venue at such a late notice resulting in lots of last minute planning and organisation

[Bordeauxclaret]

The question was about the semi’s wasn’t it? Not the final.

[Paul Waine]

One of the many mistakes the FA has made is rebuilding Wembley. You're not telling me they couldn't have renovated the stadium while keeping its outer core. The maracana stadium in Brazil was limited to around 10,000 at the turn of the century if memory serves me right because the ground was in such poor condition yet they managed to sort it out for the world cup.

One of the many mistakes we make in this country is trying to hold onto the past when a knock down and rebuild is the better solution. As Sean Dyche has said - or something similar - you've got to keep moving forward.

Two new football stadiums opening near me in the next few months. Would be great if Brentford are in the Premier League when they move into their new ground. Will also be great to see AFC Wimbledon in their New Plough Lane.

[Rileybobs]

The question was about the semi’s wasn’t it? Not the final.

Apologies, my mistake. But my point remains the same. We don’t know the semi final fixtures yet.

[Bordeauxclaret]

We don’t but I cant imagine that much planning being needed without crowds.

[Rileybobs]

We don’t but I cant imagine that much planning being needed without crowds.

I bet you’d be surprised.

The facilities at Wembley are also presumably some of the best in the country. I imagine changing rooms are of a very generous size.

In any case there’s a whole host of other reasons. What about the companies who have paid for sponsorship boards at Wembley Stadium as an obscure example?

[gandhisflipflop]

One of the many mistakes we make in this country is trying to hold onto the past when a knock down and rebuild is the better solution. As Sean Dyche has said - or something similar - you've got to keep moving forward.

Two new football stadiums opening near me in the next few months. Would be great if Brentford are in the Premier League when they move into their new ground. Will also be great to see AFC Wimbledon in their New Plough Lane.

I think Wimbledon is different circumstances regarding their new stadium to be honest. I do understand that football needs to keep moving forward but for me part of what makes football unique is it's heritage and romance which ties in with its history. That is something that should be incorporated not constantly changed. You're not telling me that these idintikit stadiums that we are seeing popping up all over the country has enhanced the game from a supporters point of view. And I'm sure that if you ask the players they'd prefer to play in traditional grounds rather than a soulless bowl. We could have had a magnificent stadium with modern facilities all while incorporating the history and heritage of the old Wembley.

[Rileybobs]

We could have had a magnificent stadium with modern facilities all while incorporating the history and heritage of the old Wembley.

What part of the old stadium would you have retained in order to preserve its history and heritage?

[Paul Waine]

I think Wimbledon is different circumstances regarding their new stadium to be honest. I do understand that football needs to keep moving forward but for me part of what makes football unique is it's heritage and romance which ties in with its history. That is something that should be incorporated not constantly changed. You're not telling me that these idintikit stadiums that we are seeing popping up all over the country has enhanced the game from a supporters point of view. And I'm sure that if you ask the players they'd prefer to play in traditional grounds rather than a soulless bowl. We could have had a magnificent stadium with modern facilities all while incorporating the history and heritage of the old Wembley.

Sorry, no, I like new better rather than "patched up old." New Wembley is a better experience that "old Wembley." New White Hart Lane is massively better than the old ground. It's the same for nearly all new stadiums, a big improvement over what they've replaced. Much better experience for the fans with new stadiums, starting with very much better views of the pitch. I'm sure it's the same for the players, a good modern football pitch is a much better playing experience than an old "sand and mud" season end arrangement.

[ClaretTony]

We could have had a magnificent stadium with modern facilities all while incorporating the history and heritage of the old Wembley.

A lot of mistakes were made with Wembley but flattening the old stadium was not one of them. It was in a real mess and beyond repair. I would have tried to have retained the twin towers if possible but nothing else.

[gandhisflipflop]

What part of the old stadium would you have retained in order to preserve its history and heritage?

The twin towers for a start.

[gandhisflipflop]

Sorry, no, I like new better rather than "patched up old." New Wembley is a better experience that "old Wembley." New White Hart Lane is massively better than the old ground. It's the same for nearly all new stadiums, a big improvement over what they've replaced. Much better experience for the fans with new stadiums, starting with very much better views of the pitch. I'm sure it's the same for the players, a good modern football pitch is a much better playing experience than an old "sand and mud" season end arrangement.

We will have to agree to disagree, all down to personal preference. I personally am bored of going to modern stadiums that all look the same. Much prefer the older grounds. The football pitches I do agree with you with however.

[tiger76]

Sorry Tiger but you try telling the players that...

Lets face facts, there is still something magic walking out onto that turf at Wembley ... ask any footballer.....

I've no doubt that's true for many, but take Man City as an example, how often have the likes of Aguero and David Silva played at wembley in the past decade, i'd wager they're averaging at least one appearance a season there, it'll still be an occasion, but it used to be a once in a lifetime experience for a lot of footballers, and let's be honest everyone knows why Wembley pays host to so many games these days, it's so the FA can recoup their huge expenditure incurred during the rebuild, which as always with large infrastructure projects went vastly over budget.

[gandhisflipflop]

A lot of mistakes were made with Wembley but flattening the old stadium was not one of them. It was in a real mess and beyond repair. I would have tried to have retained the twin towers if possible but nothing else.

As was the maracana. If the FA could go back, with the added hindsight of the huge debt it would have to pay off by building the new stadium it would make me wonder whether they would have done things differently.

[Claretitus]

So if City beat Newcastle, then draw Utd in the semi, why on earth should that game be at Wembley with no crowd? Play it at Salford City

[ClaretTony]

As was the maracana. If the FA could go back, with the added hindsight of the huge debt it would have to pay off by building the new stadium it would make me wonder whether they would have done things differently.

The old stadium would still be demolished. It was in a terrible state and hardly fit for purpose.

[Rileybobs]

The twin towers for a start.

Retaining the towers was a nice idea but eventually deemed impractical I think. Had the towers stayed they would have been very much a token and wouldn’t have added much in the way of character to the new stadium. They also wouldn’t make a jot of difference to the players’ or supporters’ experience.

[Rileybobs]

We will have to agree to disagree, all down to personal preference. I personally am bored of going to modern stadiums that all look the same. Much prefer the older grounds. The football pitches I do agree with you with however.

The new Wembley can hardly be put in the identikit category can it. Despite its lack of history it’s one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.

[Rileybobs]

So if City beat Newcastle, then draw Utd in the semi, why on earth should that game be at Wembley with no crowd? Play it at Salford City

Because it’s been scheduled to be played at Wembley stadium. All the arrangements are in place, the contracts drawn up etc. The broadcasting facilities, media facilities, changing facilities and playing facilities are better at Wembley. Are Salford City’s changing rooms sufficient for both teams to ‘socially distance’ or will one unlucky team be preparing for the game in a portakabin in the car park?

Saving a couple of coaches a few hours on the motorway is hardly worth changing the venue for.

[tiger76]

The old stadium would still be demolished. It was in a terrible state and hardly fit for purpose.

Agree about the old stadium needing an overhaul, even wayback in 88 it was showing it's age, i didn't attend in 94, but i'm guessing it wasn't any better then.

[ClaretTony]

Agree about the old stadium needing an overhaul, even wayback in 88 it was showing it's age, i didn't attend in 94, but i'm guessing it wasn't any better then.

No, it was even worse. The place was a mess with it basically beyond repair. Knocking it down was the only option.

[Claretitus]

Because it’s been scheduled to be played at Wembley stadium. All the arrangements are in place, the contracts drawn up etc. The broadcasting facilities, media facilities, changing facilities and playing facilities are better at Wembley. Are Salford City’s changing rooms sufficient for both teams to ‘socially distance’ or will one unlucky team be preparing for the game in a portakabin in the car park?

Saving a couple of coaches a few hours on the motorway is hardly worth changing the venue for.

In your opinion. The draw didn't pan out that way anyway.
With your argument, why not play all ties at Wembley?

[BenWickes]

No, it was even worse. The place was a mess with it basically beyond repair. Knocking it down was the only option.

Can't disagree. My first trip was the Sherpa Van Final in '88 and was full of excitement going to Wembley. It was a huge disappointment. Memories of rubbish bags piled up in the concourse and strewn over the floor. Even then as a teenager I thought it was a fire hazard. Bradford City fire memories from a few years earlier flooded back. Not mentioning the general appearance. It needed a complete overhaul.

[Rileybobs]

In your opinion. The draw didn't pan out that way anyway.
With your argument, why not play all ties at Wembley?

Because it wouldn’t be feasible to play all ties at Wembley. Wembley is used to stage the semi finals and the final as it’s a neutral stadium with a large capacity. I can understand why people would prefer it just be used for the final but I don’t see how changing the venue now because of the current pandemic makes any sense.