Winter break will hit FA Cup

It looks as if agreement is near between the FA, Premier League and EFL on a winter break. However, the FA Cup could suffer a further downgrade.

The idea is for a staggered break in February so that Premier League clubs would have a 13-day break between matches, but there would still be five games each weekend. It is hoped that England players would then be in better shape for international matches. Arguably the problems are more fundamental than fatigue or injury, but that is another story.

The FA Cup fifth round would be moved to midweek and there would be no replays (this may lead to a more general abolition of replays beyond the third round. Some of us can remember second or even third replays). The Premier League will have to make up any shortfalls in television revenue.

When I was growing up, winning the cup was often seen as more glamorous than winning the league, even though the latter was a much better test of the relative merits of teams. A team can get the FA Cup in its hands by winning just six matches (assuming a third round entry). Lucky or less lucky draws can play a big part.

A cup run can give a lower league club a financial boost. Unfortunately, Rochdale had to spend most of their money on relaying the pitch, but they wanted to do that anyway.

In most continental European countries, the cup is seen as very secondary. That is why the Cup Winners' Cup was eventually dropped. But we will still be able to enjoy the excitement of a 2-2 game between Rochdale and Spurs.