Do We Agree With Shearer?

Last updated : 27 January 2020 By Footy Mad - Editor

The main talking point of the weekend seems to be: "Do we need FA Cup replays?"

OK, we have one coming up, but should we be like the rest of Europe and have the decision made on the day?

Alan Shearer defends replays, saying: "Small clubs need the money, and a replay against a big team can keep the club ticking over for months. It is so important we keep that in our game."

However, not all the small clubs agree.

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank said he was pleased to avoid an FA Cup replay on Saturday after a 1-0 defeat to Leicester and thinks the rematches are killing the competition.

But would he have moaned if his side had managed an unlikely draw against the Foxes? Yes, it's fine to say that when you get knocked out. 

A much-changed Bees XI pushed the Premier League club all the way at Griffin Park with Halil Dervisoglu hitting the post and Luka Racic forcing Danny Ward into a superb save after Kelechi Iheanacho's fourth-minute opener.

Due to both teams being in action on Tuesday, fringe players were given the opportunity to impress, with Brentford doing battle with Championship play-off rivals Nottingham Forest and Leicester in Carabao Cup semi-final action against Aston Villa.

"I think we ran them close enough," Frank said. "What I didn't want was a draw so if we scored in the last minute there was only two options.

"One was to take the centre-backs out or we put everybody up and I don't understand how we can have replays in the FA Cup.

"I love the FA Cup, I think it is a fantastic tournament and I love that England have two cup tournaments - one of the only countries in the world. I love the culture and the tradition in England, but I don't get (replays).

"I think that is part of killing one of the finest cup tournaments in the world. They can kill it a little bit with replays. I don't get it."