Cup run the ideal chance to inject life into season

Wolves celebrate progress to round 4. Credit: Wolverhampton Wanderers FC

You only needed to take one look at social media on Sunday to get a measure of Leeds’ supporters anger following their embarrassing 3-0 defeat at Crawley.

Marcelo Bielsa put out a weakened side compared to usual and then made four substitutes at half-time, including throwing some youngsters into the fray.

What resulted was Leeds getting outplayed and humbled by the League Two side. What really struck me was the reasoning behind the anger and it was something that had been on my mind over the last few seasons. Fans weren’t just annoyed because it was a lower league side, they were annoyed as it has effectively ended their season in a competitive sense.

Leeds are in no real danger of relegation and at this point look very unlikely to make a push for Europe. Would it really have done that much harm for the Whites to go full strength in the cup and try to give their fans something to look forward to for the rest of the season?

The riches on offer in the Premier League are the root cause of this in reality. Clubs are afraid to sacrifice the vast sums of money involved by risking a cup run that may cause a build-up of games and a slide down the table.

I understand this view from clubs fighting at the bottom whilst not necessarily agreeing with it. Winning is a habit and the confidence gained from a few cup wins can’t be understated.

Wolves are another good example of a team that could use a cup run and began their campaign by playing a strong team and knocking out fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace. They’ve been rewarded with a trip to Chorley where they will be heavy favourites to advance.

All of a sudden you’re in the Fifth Round with a home game against most likely either Southampton or Arsenal and a great chance to get yourself within a game of Wembley.

I imagine their supporters on Monday night watching the draw were dreaming of a chance to repeat their Semi-Final run of 2019 and possibly thinking of a Raul Jimenez return in an FA Cup Wembley showdown.

These are the sort of things that keep fans spirits up and keep them believing. Wolves certainly won’t go down this season and look a bit short of repeating their top seven finishes of the previous two years. These cup games have given their season a renewed sense of purpose and should keep the club sharp.

If a club like Wolves or West Ham were to go on and lift the FA Cup this season, it would down in the annals of their history, so much more so than a tenth place finish. The cup offers the big occasion, glory and most importantly for supporters, hope. It’s time for clubs to embrace it once more.

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