Wembley Semi's

How ridiculous are they?

Now two clubs who are only a few miles apart have to travel like 300 miles to see the game.

http://www.football365.co.za/story/0,22162,8691_6812871,00.html

Apparently it will be "the most expensive security operation ever for a single game in England" too.

Thoughts?

Bit of a joke, tbh. Spread it out and help other economies.

Don't like em. But no way the FA allows two huge money making days to be taken away from them, it'll be played at Wembley.

should be played at twickenham or millenium stadium

double post

Agree. Should be Villa park and Old Trafford.

Don't see what is wrong with playing at Hillsborough and Villa Park. 2 ace stadiums for generating atmospheres. Both relatively in the middle of the country. Both 40k+ stadiums.

Tickets have already been sold for FA Cup Semis at Wembley for years in advance, you can't turn round now and tell them they can't watch it now after all.

Even with taking that into account, having them at Wembley is useful for the Manchester Derby Semi, as it means they can have 90,000 fans there instead of 42k as at Villa Park or 45k at the perennial dump that is Anfield. The only stadia with sufficient capacity are Old Trafford (not an option), maybe St. James Park, Cardiff, Twickenham, Emirates and of course, Wembley Stadium, and they're all about as far away as London from Manchester. It might take longer to Wembley than Villa Park for the match-going fans, but most of them wouldn't even be able to go if it was at a closer stadium.

If the tickets hadn't already been sold then it'd be OK to have the semi finals involving small clubs like Stoke and Bolton play at stadia like Villa Park, and clubs who aren't United to play at United, but Wembley certainly has its advantages.

moscowmadeit3 wrote:Agree. Should be Villa park and Old Trafford.

This.

I miss seeing the FA cup teams in cardiff on cup final day, Saw stevie g outside the celtic manor

As mentioned, they should still be at Villa Park and Old Trafford imo.

Leave the semis at wembley, gives more supporters of clubs not constantly winning the wembley experience.

moscowmadeit3 wrote:Agree. Should be Villa park and Old Trafford.

Agreed.

What if Manchester United draw Aston Villa?

ResurrectionRooney wrote:What if Manchester United draw Aston Villa?

Then it would be Emirates. I personally don't think Semi finals should be at Wembley, what so ever.

Old Trafford and Emirates would be good for semis. I just think going to Wembley for a semi is silly, especially if your team wins and you a second time. It kinda ruins the experience. Should be finals only.

James ♠ wrote:Old Trafford and Emirates would be good for semis. I just think going to Wembley for a semi is silly, especially if your team wins and you a second time. It kinda ruins the experience. Should be finals only.

This. This whole thing about the "Wembley experience", should be saved for the final imo. Having the semis there takes some of the 'gloss' off it for me.

Imagine if when we was in the playoffs they played the semi final against Watford at Wembley. The win v Bristol at Wembley wouldn't of felt anywhere near as special.

There is a reason why teams below Championship prefer going up through playoffs if they had a choice.

James wrote:Imagine if when we was in the playoffs they played the semi final against Watford at Wembley. The win v Bristol at Wembley wouldn't of felt anywhere near as special.

There is a reason why teams below Championship prefer going up through playoffs if they had a choice.

And the fact play off winners get a trophy as well, 2nd place don't.

I think they get some shitty trophy. We got a trophy of somesort when we went up in Div 3 and League 1 despite not winning either divison.

Stupid. The FA are shit.

It takes the gloss off of a Wembly final, much prefered it when the Semi's were played at neutral venues.

JMB_94 wrote:It takes the gloss off of a Wembly final, much prefered it when the Semi's were played at neutral venues.

Wembley is a neutral venue.

James wrote:

JMB_94 wrote:It takes the gloss off of a Wembly final, much prefered it when the Semi's were played at neutral venues.

Wembley is a neutral venue.

Yeah, but you know what he means, even if he chose a shocking few words.

James wrote:

JMB_94 wrote:It takes the gloss off of a Wembly final, much prefered it when the Semi's were played at neutral venues.

Wembley is a neutral venue.

Other than Wembley, of course.