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Calls made to change ‘unfair’ scrapping of FA Cup replays as Ange reacts to Tamworth frustration

Calls have been made to change the ‘unfair’ scrapping of FA Cup replays as Ange Postecoglou reacts to the Tamworth frustration.

The Tottenham manager said while he understood that the non league club were denied a money-spinning FA Cup replay, he still defended the FA’s decision to scrap replays.

The National League side impressed when they held Spurs to a goalless draw after 90 minutes. But with third-round replays scrapped this season, the cup tie had to go to extra time and the Premier League side put stronger players on, and had the superiority to go on to win 3-0.

The decision to scrap FA Cup replays have received huge backlash, especially considering that it has in the past been a source of much-needed income for non league and lower league clubs in the competition, but a decision to ease fixture congestion for Premier League clubs meant that Tamworth were denied a trip to north London, and won’t claim the financial benefits of it.

Some of Tamworth’s fans could be heard chanting “we want our replay” after full-time.

Responding to these calls, Postecoglou said: “I get the sentiment, but at the same time I have been banging on about less games so it is a balancing act.

“The way the calendar is at the moment it would be almost impossible for us to fit another game in. We are already struggling to fit it all in. I understand the sentiment around it and I certainly believe in the competition and what it does offer every part of the football pyramid and I think it should be protected.

“Credit to Tamworth. I thought they gave everything and gave a really good account of themselves. We knew it would be a challenging afternoon for us with the surface making it really difficult for us to play in the manner we wanted to.

“It is easy to get frustrated on days like this, but the lads kept their heads clear and calm and persisted. Eventually, they overpowered them.

“I thought we controlled the game and had some really good opportunities we should have finished.”

Asked about missing out on a trip to Spurs, Andy said: “It would have been the greatest ever FA Cup shock if we had won.

“We would have obviously gone to their stadium and it would have raised a lot of money. What a place for the boys.

“Obviously, rules are rules and we knew that before. I think it would have been £1m for the club, so it is a big thing.

“The chairman would have been very happy. I am not sure how much I would have seen of it. It would have transformed the team, of course it would.

“It is a shame, it is different for Premier League clubs with all their games, but for non league clubs, for us, it would have been fantastic.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSztja9uLgk&pp=ygULYW5nZSBmYSBjdXA%3D

Discussing the game on ‘The Rest is Football’ podcast, Gary Lineker felt it was ‘unfair’ that the game went to extra-time, a rule that favours bigger sides who can call on their greater strength in depth, as Tottenham did.

He said: “A quick word on Tamworth Tottenham, purely because it went to extra time. And of course, Tamworth were at home, they were playing against Spurs.

“And a year or so ago, or any time before that, in the history of the FA Cup, it would have been a replay for Tamworth at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which would have been special.

“It doesn’t happen that often, but this was a situation where that would have happened. We still have extra time.

“Personally, I think if they’re going to take away replays, it should take away extra time because otherwise it really favours the strong teams because they’ve got bigger squads and they can put on their best players in extra time, like Spurs did, and they went on to win.

“So I think that’s unfair. They should, if they’re going to do away with replays, which I think, to be honest, as much as it’s a shame, but I think they need to find other way of supporting teams from lower divisions, lower leagues and non-league, etc.”

Simon Stone (BBC Sport’s chief football news reporter) talks about the Aston Villa v Tottenham FA Cup date dilemma:

“There has been a lot of debate about the absence of FA Cup replays and how it affects clubs like Tamworth, who could now be looking at a money-spinning trip to Tottenham.

“The decision to get rid of them was made due to the expansion of European competitions.

“And even without them, there are still issues.

“Aston Villa have been drawn at home to Tottenham.

“Tottenham play the previous Thursday – 6 February – at Liverpool in the EFL Cup semi-final second leg.

“In theory, that means the FA Cup tie at Villa Park should be played on Sunday or Monday, 9 or 10 February. But the midweek that follows is for Champions League play-offs.

“If Villa find themselves outside the top eight, they may have to play on Tuesday, 11 February.

“Villa can deal with it by maintaining their current fifth spot. But if they don’t, they won’t know when their play-off is scheduled until Friday, 31 January.”

Here’s the reaction, with calls made to change ‘unfair’ scrapping of FA Cup replays as Ange reacts to Tamworth frustration…

@TheExiledRobin: Tamworth holding @SpursOfficial to a draw would be 1 of biggest ever FA Cup achievements. Their reward for 140 years = a replay. £0.5m payday & chance to play at 1 of the best stadiums in front of 60,000. Their reward this year? 30 extra mins on v.tired legs to try & hold on

@adam_major1: Tamworth have been robbed of a trip to Spurs worth north of a million pounds to them because Jurgen Klopp and his big six chums fancied post season tours of Asia and America. Fuck the Premier League 👍🏼

@Bentson87: This Tamworth Spurs game is exactly why FA Cup replays are still needed. Life changing money for Tamworth if they had a replay at Spurs. Ridiculous how the lower leagues get treated.

@MillwallTT: This Tamworth game is the worst thing that could have happened for the FA Cup. This team have worked their nuts off and are going to be robbed of a replay. Big clubs and money ruining the best competition in the world. Surely it has to be changed back next season.

@jackolesliepafc: Tamworth robbed of a replay to satisfy a few out of touch overseas managers who have absolutely zero understanding of the tradition and value of the FA cup. That money would be absolutely crucial for them a club as they’ve gone full time. Robbed their fans of a special trip also.

@gillotine1878: So because a small handful of clubs kicked up a stink about fixture congestion, non-league Tamworth miss out on a replay at a 60,000 seat stadium. What a fucking joke the “sport” is now.

@_mstephenson88: Tamworth are 2 minutes away from a replay at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Oh wait, no, spurs need to go to Australia 3 days after the season finishes for a friendly instead

@EllBretland: They didn’t get their Super League but they got their five subs, the scrapping of replays and extra-time their bloated squads can deal with, the FA Cup moved to midweek, they infiltrated the EFL Trophy to benefit academies, point deductions. Eroded it all and the magic is dead.

@Alexcraiggh: Tamworth have lost out on hundreds of thousands if not millions here with the replays being scrapped. Actually crazy how the FA prioritised 6 of the 930 odd teams in the cup, But aye at least the big clubs with players on millions don’t have to play as many games of football.

@SamBirdyy: Tamworth robbed of a replay at Tottenham which would’ve earned them nearly £1m (their yearly revenue is £1.6m). Scrapping FA Cup replays was and still is disgusting.

@RussianSpaceF: I’m always one to embrace change and make progress but getting rid of replays in the FA cup is a fucking disgrace. Like ‘winning the cup’ for Tamworth would basically be getting an away replay. Robbing the players of their small piece of fame and robbing the local clubs of ££

@NonLeagueZac: Some Non-League teams who have been denied a MASSIVE FA Cup replay against EFL or Prem opposition this season
Weston Super Mare
Guiseley
Kettering Town
Harborough Town
Tamworth
Loads of crucial money denied through no fault of their own
The Magic of the Cup 🏆

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