is everyone still excited by the FA cup?

At one time I'd have agreed with you.

 

Better than the Champion's League in my opinion.

 

Without a doubt. Don't get me wrong, the final is huge, and probably is the best cup game in the world outside internationals. It's the earlier rounds that have lost the meaning. Lower league Premier teams don't mind getting knocked out as it allows them to concentrate on the millions staying in the Premier earns them. Upper Championship teams, same. Upper Premier teams see the Europe cash cow as far more important than giving their all for a relative pittance. At one time, it really mattered. Now you're lucky to see even the likes of Villa, West Brom, Cardiff, Middlesbrough and Derby giving a ****.

 

No. It's just like the league cup now. Pointless. Most clubs not bothered, resting their best players etc. and so neither are the fans now

 

You're right. It's another casualty of the greed at the top of the Premiership. Crowds used to go up for FA Cup matches, but nowadays nobody can be bothered. Then again, if the clubs can't be bothered why should the fans. As it is, I would have gone, but I'm up in Edinburgh for the next week. I'd have been going more out of a sense of habit or duty, rather than looking forward to it. I wouldn't mind if both us and Wigan lose though, as our game will then be on the 4th round Saturday, so we can go by train, rather than by car.