FA Cup 2015/2016

[budgetmeansbudget]

Watching the goals as they go in on Final Score on BBC1 plus the odd incident in all the FA Cup games this afternoon.

Well done the BBC for getting current with sports broadcasting for a change. It's a bit like Sky Sports midweek coverage of the Championship and redzone coverage of the NFL.

[Alviro Patterson]

A comprehensive victory for Bradford, but Chesham were no mugs by any stretch of the imagination. Chesham created enough chances in front of goal and could have made the tie interesting, but just lacked that bit of composure along with a pitch that made shooting difficult because of the recent weather. Then again Bradford threw away a number of gilt edged chances in front of goal to make it a truly one-sided match.

[Gingerfinch]

Home to Villa. Could be a TV game, with a possible upset on the cards. I'd be shocked if Villa put a full team out, knowing they're going to be in a relegation battle all season.

[budgetmeansbudget]

Exeter v Liverpool looks like the only guaranteed TV tie. Then there's the five all premier league ties, which is quite a lot for this stage of the competition. I personally wouldn't want to see any of those, but no doubt one or two will get chosen.

Oxford v Swansea is a possibility and as you say Wycombe v Villa.

We're away to Birmingham, bit of dull draw. We beat them 0-8 last time we were at St Andrews, but can't see that happening again as we'll probably make 11 changes.

[mikesiva]

Seeing a goalkeeper stretchered off like that puts a damper on the match.

[Alviro Patterson]

No complaints with Bury away, a nice local match and a challenging one in it's own right. Can think of worse ties and it's not like Bradford have been blessed with decent cup draws over the last few seasons.

With a fair few all Premier League and Championship ties, there is an opportunity for a lower league side to go on a cup run or at least get a plum tie in the later stages.

[Aidan11]

We're home to Derby if we overcome Salford.

My first ever FA Cup match I went to see was against Derby. We beat them that day.

[Durhamfootman]

Newcastle get the chance to be knocked out by Watford at the 3rd round stage this year. Bit of a step up in class from the teams that usually knock Newcastle out at the first time of asking.

Given that we used to be told that a 4th place finish was like winning a cup, I imagine that nowadays we'll be told that a top 17 finish is like winning the FA cup.............................. and just as unlikely

[budgetmeansbudget]

In monetary terms 17th place this season is about 100 times more lucrative than winning the FA Cup!

[Alviro Patterson]

In monetary terms 17th place this season is about 100 times more lucrative than winning the FA Cup!

Finishing 17th last season was worth £68.7 Million, pretty much the Football League TV revenue!

Even Reading's annual wage bill was greater than revenue from winning the FA Cup. I remember two BBC journalists (IIIRC one of them was Jacqui Oatley) interviewing Steve Clarke and the owner after beating Bradford in the Quarter-Final replay. One of the questions was the financial reward of reaching the semi-final, to put it short both Reading officials were embarrased with that question and said "this will be a great day out for the fans" or words to that effect.

[Durhamfootman]

Can't put a price on the glory that would come from winning the FA cup, particularly at a club with no silverware for 46 years. Every one of those players plus the manager would become gods were they to achieve such a thing. *modded* the money

[Alviro Patterson]

TV Ties announced

7.55pm Friday 8 January
Exeter City v Liverpool – live on BBC 1

12.45pm Saturday 9 January
Wycombe Wanderers v Aston Villa – live on BT Sport 2

5.30pm Saturday 9 January
Manchester United v Sheffield United – live on BT Sport 2

12noon, Sunday 10 January
Oxford United v Swansea City – Live on BBC 2 Wales

2pm Sunday 10 January
Chelsea v Leyton Orient or Scunthorpe United – live on BT Sport 2

4pm Sunday 10 January
Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City – live on BBC 1


No doubt Gary Lineker had a hand in picking the BBCs 2nd televised game, an all Premier League tie at this stage is hardly the magic of the FA Cup.

[mikesiva]

Beaten in extra-time...that's a hard way for Salford to go out.

[Alviro Patterson]

A great effort by Salford to get this far. Going through 6 rounds, that is the equivalent of a top flight side reaching the final. £225k generated in TV and Prize money alone, season changing stuff for any non-league club, let alone one who is in the 7th tier.

[Gingerfinch]

Villa at home tomorrow. I'm guessing by their league position, Villa won't be putting to strong a team out.