Comments for FA Cup myth and reality at http://www.wsc.co.uk , comment 0 to 1 out of 1 comments http://www.wsc.co.uk Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:03:27 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/2255/38/#pc_237 It's strange that Josh declares that hacks extol the wonders of the FA Cup and the romantic elements therein as per the balancing effect of Monolithic Giants and Lowly Minnows on the same playing field when last season brought a rare instance of disapproval from Nick Townsend of the Independent, in which he sniffed mightily at the thought of a West Brom - Portsmouth FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, admitting that only a Big Four combo would stir him from his seat and prevent him from his intended plan of walking his dog that day in the course of avoiding a not-so star-studded event such as Baggies vs. Pompey. This was a significant admission when you realise it. First off, it was some sort of creditable honesty on Townsend's part - perhaps it was better to come out and pooh-pooh it rather than attempt any lip-service in the cause of two plucky outsiders that he really didn't feel for (amazingly so, with hack pin-up Harry 'Arry' Redknapp in charge of those doughty South-Coasters). But, dishearteningly, it points to the allegiance that some hacks have towards the great and good of the game, rather than all of football's varied characters up and down the league structure, a supposed, perhaps delusional belief that the more they write or comment on Sir Alex, Arsene, Rafa and Luis, the closer they are to them and the more acquainted and personal a link they think they possess, and should any adverse comment dare rub up against these hallowed persons, then Henry Winter, Nick Townsend or any other torch-holders will come bearing down on such upstarts who dare question their wisdom - in the end, only Holt, Winter and their ilk have the licence to criticise those they revere. This allegiance (or toadiness, if you want it put bluntly) cuts off any other consideration for those in the lower half of the Premiership or those outside it with Fergie, Wenger, Benitez and Scolari being the only ones that matter. Townsend's admission was a surprising one, but then perhaps it shouldn't really have been so, the chummy link between adoring hack and football managerial powerhouse an almost unspoken one, borne out in weekly articles whose span of footballing subject never exceeds that of the concerns of the Big Four (or perhaps perceived big clubs who go through the bad times). The rest can go hang. Thinking about it, perhaps it's not so bad when an advertising campaign deigns to open up common ground between the mighty and the small. There are huge elements in the media who would only be too happy to see the former triumph every time. Like Nick Townsend. - ian.64 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:21:19 +0100