The Mail is reporting that the FA remains committed to finishing this season’s FA Cup should the Premier League safely be able to restart.
The FA Cup WILL be finished this season if football can return safely with semi-finals and final to be played behind closed doors at Wembley https://t.co/C1dRxvQVod
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) May 21, 2020
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham reportedly told FA Council members of his desire to complete this year’s FA Cup during a meeting on Thursday.
When the competition could return was not mentioned however, the semi-finals and finals will still be held at Wembley.
Newcastle, of course, have reached the quarter-final stage and were scheduled to host Manchester City on March 21st before the season was suspended due to the coronavirus.
Newcastle have progressed the farthest in the FA Cup since 2006 when we were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Chelsea.
Whether the competition can get completed this season all hinges on the Premier League’s ability to safely restart. Teams returned to training this past Tuesday as part of phase 1 of Project Restart.
Next week, a discussion will be held on whether clubs can move to phase 2, which involves group training.
Meanwhile, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has called for the FA to get creative in finishing the FA Cup this season. This is Carragher’s proposal from The Telegraph:
“The FA should get on board with a radical experiment to complete their fixtures.
“I would love to see this season’s FA Cup rescheduled to resemble the final stages of a World Cup, all the remaining games played after the conclusion of the Premier League.
“Imagine it. Quarter-finals could be played on the Friday and Saturday after the last Premier League weekend. Midweek semi-finals could then be immediately followed by the final, the competition concluded in eight days.
“It could be a thrilling finale to a season which, in the Premier League at least, is all about the top four and relegation places once play resumes.”
A lot will depend on when the league resumes as to how the FA Cup will get completed. Carragher is calling for the final three rounds to be played in rapid succession after the league concludes.
If the EPL managers get their wish, the league may no restart until the back end of June. That will mean this season may not finish until close to August.
The FA will have to be flexible in how they complete the remainder of the FA Cup. But the good news for Newcastle fans is that it hasn’t been abandoned.
197 comments so far
DubaiMicky
May 22, 2020 at 7:25 PM
Comment #161Worth a watch/listen, Jail, you won’t be interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej8wy9dwnNk
Thump
May 22, 2020 at 7:25 PM
Comment #162@Irish: Don’t put too much stock into RTE, it reads like somebody spent their weekend looking over NUFC forums and trying to increase the anxiety.
@carltoon: You always berated fans for going to watch whoever was in charge
After just admitting that I’ve held a season ticket for multiple seasons?
Are you feeling okay?
The Hit Man & Her
May 22, 2020 at 7:25 PM
Comment #163Yes Jib would be a “lifetime achievement” award I think. Often nominated but never won the top gong – but was utterly consistent throughout his career. The consummate professional you might say. 😀
toon22
May 22, 2020 at 7:26 PM
Comment #164JIB
Probs best to start looking
https://www.indeed.co.uk/
Kevin Vegan
May 22, 2020 at 7:29 PM
Comment #165VanToonMan
Poch over Allegri for me, but either would be a good start.
De Ligt would be a great signing, but Juve don’t tend to let players go for anything less than top dollar. We’d have to part with £50m+ up front there and a heap more in add-ons. He would probably be worth it in the long-run though, and is exactly the kind of young talent we should be looking for if we want long-term success at the club.
A top quality striker is a must. I’d like to see us go for someone like Martinez from Inter.
Wing-backs would be my other priority. Good wing-backs will help us make space for the front man/men by drawing defenders out. I think this was one of the biggest problems for Almiron, ASM and (dare I say it) Joelinton this season. We need to get them all higher up, and that means having dependable options around them in the wide areas so we don’t get torn apart on the counter whenever we try to push forward.
carltoon
May 22, 2020 at 7:30 PM
Comment #166Thump I was not talking about you at all, sorry it was for some one else on the blog who called us knuckle draggers . Anyway I adored Rafa his last games we’re brilliant. I was devastated when he went.
GhostToon
May 22, 2020 at 7:31 PM
Comment #167Van de Beek, Aouar, Soumare, Zakaria, Grealish, Kessie are the type of midfielders we need right now.
Also at least 2 strikers min. Would love either Oshimen, Malen, Edouard, Daka, Boadu, Dembele, etc and maybe a more experienced striker on a free.
Also a class cb like Koulabily, Upamecano or Konate to build the team around.
Jail for Ashley
May 22, 2020 at 7:31 PM
Comment #168BSIB,
Therein lies the problem with Bruce. Better managers than him wouldn’t accept the fact that his players are chosen for him and the rest of the package that comes with Ashley. Imo you can’t say Bruce never had this or that because he laid his stall out from the beginning and said he was delighted with the squad.
lesh
May 22, 2020 at 7:32 PM
Comment #169Reference IrishRob’s post below,
May 22, 2020 at 6:46 PM
Comment #130
‘JIB where the utter duck did that aggression come out of at #85?? Even if it was total nonsense how is it stirring shit?? Wtf is your problem?’
Why the aggression? Jib’ll been.on the drink since this morning, Mrs Jib (bless her for being a tolerant soul) probably locked him in his room and he’ll have run out of sauce.
Jail for Ashley
May 22, 2020 at 7:34 PM
Comment #170People point to us not winning for ten under Rafa last season but never mention that we finished eighth in the second half of the season and we were in 6th place after ten games in that first season back. Doing very well actually until Ashley decided to get the first fakeover in the ring.
Rotonda heights
May 22, 2020 at 7:34 PM
Comment #171Did willems not come in and give us quite a strong left side linking with ASM?
Also was st max not quite a good replacement for perez?
Also on paper a 40m striker in for rondon seemed to be a statement of backing the new manager. Then again similarly pulis and pardew could do nothing with a previously low scoring rondon, prior to rafa.
Thump
May 22, 2020 at 7:35 PM
Comment #172@Dubai: You might be the lad to answer, actually.
I understand that the idea of Arabic family values and Westernised family values are very different, but given the separation between cousins (using Prince Abdullah and MBS as examples), does the “conflict of interest” argument hold the same weight?
Mund
May 22, 2020 at 7:35 PM
Comment #173George Caulkin always makes me feel positive.
God bless the man he has kept my head above water throughout this saga
Thump
May 22, 2020 at 7:35 PM
Comment #174@carl: Ah sorry mate, I forgot to tag you and thought you’d done the same in return – no harm 🙂
The Hit Man & Her
May 22, 2020 at 7:36 PM
Comment #175Toon22 it’ll need quite a CV. 😐
D o B : 1st April 1907
Enlisted early in WW1 by drawing a coal moustache and beard and falsifying birth certificate. Victoria Cross at Ypres.
1918 negotiated armistice.
1922 – 1928 Worked as Accountant to assorted Italian Family run businesses in Chicago and New York
1928 -1935 Economics advisor to Chancellor Hitler
1935 – 1946 Enlisted late by shaving off moustache and beard and falsifying birth certificate. Victoria Cross at Berlin.
1947 – 1958 freelance professorial roles whilst undertaking several career changes and driving a taxi to make ends meet.
….rest to follow….
carltoon
May 22, 2020 at 7:36 PM
Comment #176Jail no one wanted him here, nobody wanted the job, I was so upset I went to protest outside that shop in the town, but he’s kept us in with a shout of staying in the division and still in the cup. We can say thanks and your on your way. That’s all I’m saying. And I’ve enjoyed some of the games.
Jail for Ashley
May 22, 2020 at 7:37 PM
Comment #177“Jail, you won’t be interested”
Jeez,
Dubious Micky got something right 😀
Jail for Ashley
May 22, 2020 at 7:40 PM
Comment #178carltoon,
Aye, when he goes, I’ll say thanks for not relegating us and I might not dislike him just a little bit less than I did.
IrishRob
May 22, 2020 at 7:42 PM
Comment #179#Cans we will beat City if were able to sign Coutinho, Koulibaly, Saha, Feikr, Bale and Soumaré before we have to finally play that match. Should have them all in the door by the time that match comes around.
bill
May 22, 2020 at 7:42 PM
Comment #180I sort of disagree JIB, I wasn’t happy that Hall and Shepherd sold at all. Initially, I thought that the parasite ownership might work with him being into sportswear. Even then I was disappointed that Sir John Hall, as far as I’m aware did the dirty on Freddy Shepherd, especially with him being ill in hospital at the time. I have no inside knowledge only what I read in the press and from other media outlets in this regard.
I had no prior knowledge on the parasite so he was given a chance to succeed, much as I give any new addition to the staff or team time to bed in and achieve something positive. We all have our opinions on players and coaches, etc but as they say “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”.
However, once KK left, that was the end of any positive relationship as far as I was concerned. But as I say, I wasn’t happy that he arrived at all, but he was given a chance, and he fell at the first fence.
carltoon
May 22, 2020 at 7:43 PM
Comment #181Ha ha your so hard to please. Hope we don’t get relegated. What a disaster that would be.
onmeedsun
May 22, 2020 at 7:48 PM
Comment #182Please don’t let us win the Cup this year, after 51 years without a trophy, no fans to roar us on in the stadium and Tyneside streets empty for the victory parade. I want to be there. Let’s keep our powder dry and win something when we can be there and celebrate!
toon22
May 22, 2020 at 7:49 PM
Comment #183The Hit Man & Her
May 22, 2020 at 7:36 PM
Comment #175
Hahahahahahahaha
DubaiMicky
May 22, 2020 at 7:51 PM
Comment #184Thump #172
What you need to remember here is that the House of Saud has something like 1200 pinces alone, the fathers have multiple wives that all have numerous kids, so over a few generations there’s loads.
It’s not like you knowing your dad’s, sister’s kid. “Cousin” means a family member.
@Jail, foxtrot oscar bonny lad.
Kevin Vegan
May 22, 2020 at 7:52 PM
Comment #185The Hit Man & Her
Absolutely agree again. That 3-0 against Chelsea last game of the season left me with genuine hope for the next season. It was something I haven’t really felt since we had the likes of Cabaye and Ba in the side.
Losing Perez and Rondon was always going to be a struggle because they scored us so many goals, but I don’t think we can give Bruce a free pass on that basis alone
We ground some results out throughout the season, and I’ll gice Bruce some credit for getting a few of the players working exceptionally hard (although Almiron seems to do that of his own accord anyway), but for the most part they are working hard because they are spending 90% of games running around like headless chickens. Hard work is vital, but it’s not a substitute for tactical knowhow, and I don’t think Brucey has enough of that in him to take us beyond where we are now. I’d love him to prove me wrong. I’d love any of our other failed managers to come back and lead us to glory. I’d welcome Pardew or Schteeve with open arms if they came back and won us a league title, but none of them ever showed me anything to convince me they deserve another shot, and Bruce has been no different.
BlacknWhiteBarmy
May 22, 2020 at 7:55 PM
Comment #186I see the playground is in full swing – see you Tuesday for the next edition of “#Cans / #No Cans”
Kevin Vegan
May 22, 2020 at 7:58 PM
Comment #187Ghost Toon, either Kessie or Van de Beek would be phenomenal. I’d like any new manager to try to keep the Longstaff boys coming through too, so wouldn’t want to see us load up on CMs too much, but I think we can find better additions than Bentaleb.
Jail for Ashley
May 22, 2020 at 7:59 PM
Comment #188Love you too DMicky
Munster Mag
May 22, 2020 at 8:00 PM
Comment #189I think some of the ridiculing of Bruce is poor form and reflects badly.
Munster Mag
May 22, 2020 at 8:02 PM
Comment #190Kv, sorry but that’s a lot of shite. Were you the one who said we couldn’t give credit to Bruce if we won the FA cup? That’s awful crap sorry.
Jail for Ashley
May 22, 2020 at 8:04 PM
Comment #191Munter,
As was your constant sniping of our little handed riot causer.
DubaiMicky
May 22, 2020 at 8:06 PM
Comment #192Munster, I agree, the guy was an ashLIE choice, someone that would fit into his mould in a way that Rafa never did.
He’s done OK, he’s got us safe, he’s got us into the 6th round, and more to the point he’s been gracious in it all, he’s never rocked the boat.
While I don’t see him as a club ambassador, I’m happy that he takes the pay off and I’ll wish him well.
Gothmog's Pyjamas
May 22, 2020 at 8:06 PM
Comment #193Ghost toon / KV
Soumare and VD Beek for CM, possibly Camavinga for the future too. Bentaleb and Hayden can go, Isaac wants to be down south so fair enough.
would try amazingly hard to get Leon Bailey from Leverkusen – him and ASM on either wing would be immense. tough shout right now as they had CL earlier this season i think but its not like Leverkusen are as big as BMunich.
Upamecano for CB as he and De Ligt are the best young CBs in Europe right now and Juve wont be letting De ligt go anywhere
Id also try to contact Saka from Arsenal ASAP. contract up next summer, i think Arsenal will be 9th or 10th next season too, especially if PEA leaves as rumoured, so perfect time to turn the lads head and get him lined up..
clinath@ed
May 22, 2020 at 8:09 PM
Comment #194Evening all.
I don’t think I enjoyed watching us play under Rafa any more than I dislike it under Bruce.
At the time I believed Rafa was the best manager we could hope to attract so I accepted it. He played the hand he was given and the players he had, but he new that when he took the job on.
Would I have him back? Yes, without doubt, but not for his entertainment value no, but because he understood us and wants to build us as club from the bottom up.
I’d accept slow growth as long as I knew we were growing.
Munster Mag
May 22, 2020 at 8:12 PM
Comment #195Jail at 168, what the hell do u expect? Bruce arrived as the transfers were ending. Did you want him to question the signing of Joelinton? Is that what not being a patsy is supposed to mean? He put out better teams than your mancrush, got similar points, playing worse football than some of the awful shiite Rafa sometimes served up, and got better in the cup. He never sucked up to Fats publicly and the players would run through walls for him.
But it’s not enough for you, because he’s not Rafa?
Jesus wept
magscar
May 22, 2020 at 8:19 PM
Comment #196Just typed comment whilst fielding lots of whatapp call from family so took some time breaking off and back again and…..
yes got the too long comment go back and edit !!
It wasn’t that long and probably could have got within the limit fairly easily but Wor lass’s patience is wearing thin as I am using PC on TV and she wants to watch something not watch me edit.
If I knew what the word limit was I would happily fit in with it but having asked twice and not had a response I am done with trying.
I don’t post every 2 minutes in one liners or paragraphs or so and tend to post after catching up so will have to confine myself to odd comment
I’m sure it won’t both most in the slightest (probably applaud it) but the limit was brought in to stop whole articles being reproduced ( I read them) not posters own contributions and so will affect the minority.
Just typing this to see how far I can get as I binned the other one 🙁
Munster Mag
May 22, 2020 at 8:23 PM
Comment #197Jail, rafa had 20% of the blog refusing any form of Rafa critiquing. 70% going with the flow and 10% asking questions. I was part of the 10%, and the debate is far more balanced now.