clanfordimp
Vital 1st Team Regular
FA Cup draws can be deceptive, it often depends on how seriously the opposition wants to win. The non-league clubs and vast majority in League Two desperately want to win to get to the potentially lucrative but usually elusive third round, while an increasing number of clubs even in League One are valuing it less and less. And that refers to the fish out of water - the likes of Portsmouth, Sunderland, Ipswich and Coventry - whose real intent lies in promotion. A big third round tie for those clubs is not as significant as for the likes of us because they will soon be back in the Championship with an automatic trip to the third round in the offing very soon. Their financial rewards do not lie in the FA Cup in the same way. On that basis, I don't think Coventry is that daunting a draw.
Just taking Coventry as an example, if they are prioritising the league over the FA Cup that philosophy is not really working for them is it. They must have spent at least 5 or 6 seasons now outside the top 2 divisions.
I just dont understand why lower league managers play weakened sides or squad players or whatever you want to call them in any of the 3 major domestic competitions. Football is a lot about momentum and any successful team especially in the lower leagues where squads are smaller is always a settled team as we were in our run to win the National League and get to the FA Cup quarter finals then the following season to win League 2 and the Checkatrade Trophy. Players want to play and there is nothing more frustrating for them than training all week then having to sit out a game they would love to be playing in. It's down to individual managers on what they do but I would always play my strongest team in any circumstances and especially if that team was doing well in the league.