Today’s FA Cup 5th round ties evoked a few memories of how it used to be (or, maybe how we perceive it used to be), and how it is nowadays – with “giant-killing” acts from, most notably, Barnsley at Anfield and Bristol Rovers beating Southampton, reminding me of an almost bygone age where teams from lower divisions had a go and every now and then nicked a famous win.
How it often is now was best summed up by Arsenal’s piss-poor display in their 4-0 defeat to Man United, an understrength, half-arsed team more focused on the Champions League next week than the game in front of them, and seemingly beaten before the first whistle.
Barnsley did today what the likes of Oldham, Huddersfield and Havant and Waterlooville have done before them this season – generally it’s been quite a good season for shocks, and there are going to be a few non-Premiership teams in the Quarter Finals, not to mention only 2 of the “big four”, obviously Man United or Chelsea will win it in the end, but hopefully there will be a couple more shocks before it’s over for another season.
