Overview of Football Has a Problem – Cup Competitions
This episode focuses on how English cup competitions have been diluted over time, with the hosts arguing that the EFL Trophy and the FA Cup have both lost much of their traditional appeal. The conversation centres on two big themes: format changes that have made competitions feel less authentic, and financial/TV pressure that has pushed clubs to prioritise league survival over cup glory.
Main Topics Discussed
The EFL Trophy (formerly the Papa John’s Trophy, LDV Vans Trophy, etc.)
- The hosts react to Premier League U21 sides being included in the competition.
- They argue this has made the tournament feel less meaningful for lower-league clubs.
- A specific example discussed was Leicester City U21s vs Fulham U21s / lower-league opposition, with the mismatch highlighting the competition’s odd structure.
- The current format was criticised:
- 16 regional groups of four
- Each group includes one invited U21 side
- Matches are single-legged
- Draws go to penalties, with the shootout winner earning an extra point
- They felt the penalty-point system in a group stage is artificial and awkward.
- There was some nuance:
- U21s can gain useful experience against senior professionals
- But the hosts agreed the competition has become convoluted and over-engineered
The FA Cup and the loss of replays
- Much of the episode argues that the FA Cup has lost its sparkle because of:
- No replays
- Semi-finals at Wembley
- Reduced importance compared to the Premier League
- They strongly felt replays were vital because they gave smaller clubs a fair chance to:
- earn extra revenue
- host bigger clubs
- enjoy a proper payday and a memorable occasion
- Examples mentioned:
- Harborough Town vs Reading
- Tamworth vs Burton Albion / Tottenham
- Farnborough vs Arsenal
- Hereford United vs Newcastle United
- Bracknell Town vs Ipswich Town
- The hosts agreed that replays could be limited to one replay only, rather than endless rematches.
Semi-finals at Wembley
- Both hosts agreed that FA Cup semi-finals should not be played at Wembley.
- Their view:
- Wembley should be reserved for the final
- Semi-finals should be held at neutral venues closer to the teams involved
- They argued this would:
- preserve the prestige of the final
- reduce travel burden
- improve the traditional cup feel
The broader financial problem
- The episode repeatedly returns to the idea that football’s money is too concentrated in the Premier League.
- Cup competitions now feel secondary because:
- league position and promotion are worth more financially
- staying in the Premier League is often a club’s real priority
- They also criticised the lack of meaningful TV coverage for lower leagues and cup ties.
- One solution proposed was something like a “Netflix of football”:
- a global, on-demand football platform
- fans pay a modest fee to watch any match
- lower leagues and cup competitions get more exposure and revenue
Key Arguments and Takeaways
1. The EFL Trophy needs simplification
- The hosts felt the competition would be better if it returned to a more straightforward knockout format.
- They believe U21 invitations cheapen the identity of the tournament.
- At minimum, they suggested reducing the number of invited academy sides.
2. The FA Cup should reward giant-killing properly
- Replays were seen as essential to the romance of the cup.
- Smaller clubs lose out financially and emotionally when replays are removed.
- The hosts want one replay, then extra time and penalties if needed.
3. Wembley semi-finals undermine the magic of the final
- The final should feel special.
- Having semi-finals at Wembley makes the final less unique and more routine.
4. Cup football needs more money and broadcast exposure
- The competition can’t regain prestige without better funding.
- More TV exposure, more prize money, and better reward structures were repeatedly called for.
5. Lower-league success stories still matter
- The hosts repeatedly celebrated the magic of:
- giant-killings
- surprise runs
- teams like Bradford City, Hereford, and Macclesfield making national headlines
- These stories, they argued, are what make English cup football special.
Notable Examples Mentioned
- Hereford United vs Newcastle United – classic giant-killing moment
- Wimbledon vs Liverpool (1988) – a symbol of the FA Cup’s old magic
- Bradford City’s League Cup run – used as an example of how cup runs can transform smaller clubs
- Wigan winning the FA Cup – praised, but noted as bittersweet because of relegation
- Crystal Palace’s FA Cup win – another example of a club gaining a huge moment, though the hosts noted how quickly such moments can fade
- Macclesfield beating Crystal Palace – cited as another iconic giant-killing
What’s Coming Next
- The hosts teased a future discussion on football kits, including:
- rising shirt prices
- multiple shirt releases each season
- fake kits and alternative buying options
- That follow-up will likely continue the broader theme of football’s commercialisation.
Bottom Line
The episode is a strong critique of modern English cup football. The hosts argue that both the EFL Trophy and the FA Cup have been reshaped in ways that reduce tradition, fairness, and excitement. Their core message is simple: cup competitions should reward drama, giant-killings, and lower-league clubs—not just convenience for the top flight.