tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post9048003860944697239..comments2023-10-27T07:50:27.411+01:00Comments on Next Left: Can we trust ITV with the FA Cup?Tom Hampsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05917325958130851128noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-16301159213818478752009-02-06T10:40:00.000+00:002009-02-06T10:40:00.000+00:00Well, there is no such thing as impartiality. But ...Well, there is no such thing as impartiality. But Calix is wearing his White Hart Lane blinkers here.<BR/><BR/>I myself have the greatest respect for Tottenham Hotspur. They are - with Arsenal, Aston Villa and Everton - among the great football clubs of England, even if that is not recognised by the more recent upstarts of Anfield and Old Trafford, to say nothing of the Chelski oligarchs. The very first FA Cup final I remember was the truly amazing centenary final and replay of 1981, with Ardiles, Ricky Villa and all of that, which I was able to stay up and watch as a 7 year old. <BR/><BR/>But a Merseyside derby is always one both sides will want to win. And when Harry Redknapp is picking a weakened team, and Ferguson is trying to find some corner of the rulebook to get out of playing a replay, it was a bad choice. Man Utd have done more to undermine the traditions of the cup than any other club by far.<BR/><BR/>ITV have done it again in the first choice of game: Derby v Man Utd. There is no point even giving them the draw - they just want to show Man Utd (Reserves).Sunder Katwalahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06671411534003530927noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7985429043801017839.post-56824864039018711832009-02-05T21:01:00.000+00:002009-02-05T21:01:00.000+00:00Mr Katwala is clearly infruirated by a perceived i...Mr Katwala is clearly infruirated by a perceived injustice, but I feel moved to correct him on one point.<BR/><BR/>Manchester United vs TOTTENHAM (bless their cotton socks) is not a second rate fixture, but one between the two clubs with the greatest cup tradition in England. Most of us would far rather see this fixture than watch a local free for all, even though I must admit that Manchester United/Tottenham proved a rather limp affair.Calixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05754832236324324540noreply@blogger.com