FA Cup reality hurts no matter Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea actuality

Everyone loves the magic of the FA Cup… until most of the big boys are out.

No matter what they say the TV companies will be reeling and the FA for that matter, too. What a story it would be if Bournemouth went all the way to Wembley to lift the trophy.

Or if Aston Villa ended their long wait for silverware. Or maybe Brighton winning their first ever major trophy. What about Preston North End pulling off some mighty shocks?

Even Crystal Palace, Fulham or Nottingham Forest going all the way would be something special. Another win for Manchester City maybe not so magic, unless you’re a supporter of the club.

Fulham facing Palace, Brighton hosting Forest, Villa travelling to Preston and Bournemouth looking to beat City at home for the second time this season are all ties that should whet the appetite. But without the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, the TV figures and interest will be massively down.

And that’s a shame because we should welcome one of the other less fancied clubs going all the way to Wembley. But the FA already devalued the FA Cup final this season by putting it back on a weekend when there’s Premier League games.

ONSIDE

Dean Huijsen. What a rise the young Bournemouth defender linked with moves to Liverpool and Real Madrid is having. Now a Spanish international.

OFFSIDE

Phil Foden. Last summer, the Manchester City talisman was named as the Premier League Player of the Season and the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. What has gone wrong this season for one of England’s brightest talents?