don't think we can totally dismiss the cups as luck. 2 cup finals in one season is a reflection of the importance we gave to the competetions.
Kenny did better than BR in the short term. But the suggestion is that BR is laying the foundations for more sustainable success with a better quality, more sophiticated product. The problem with that though is that it's a promise of jam tomorrow - we won't know if it pans out that way until another season or two. The signs are mixed at the moment, but imo the balance is on the right side of keeping and supporting BR. Other factors that support this call are the need for stability and the lack of an alternative that is any less of a gamble.
It's also a reflection as to how little some clubs valued the cups. Stan is right, the cups are a LOT to do with luck. Look at the league cup - for the last 10-15 years, half of the finalists have come from outside of the premier league......big clubs have bigger fish to fry - kenny admitted that himself. And look at the FA cup - it's going in the same direction as the league cup. More and more we are seeing 2nd rate sides in the final because it is very low priority for clubs at the top of the table or trying to get into/stay in europe.
Not sure about that for the FA Cup. Yesterday both City and Chelsea put their best teams, even Manure lost by playing their best team. Yes you can have some luck when it comes to the draw, but, you will need to be the best team on most of the days to reach the final. Last year, didn't we kick both Manchester teams out of the Cups, and they definitely played their best teams as much I can remember. Everybody remembers trophy winners and the achievements are always listed (haven't you just said in an earlier post that Everton won nothing for 20 years), and everybody forgets the teams coming second whichever the competition.
