Game On Hold

Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has expressed his concerns about the impact of FA Cup replays on Premier League teams. The issue arose after Forest faced a challenging match against League One side Blackpool, trailing 2-0 at one point. Despite a comeback with goals from Nicolas Dominguez and Morgan Gibbs-White, Forest couldn't secure a victory.

The result forces Forest into a replay with Blackpool, scheduled for the week commencing 15 January, disrupting what was supposed to be a winter break for the team. Espirito Santo criticized the congestion of games, stating in his post-match press conference, "It is a reality. Everybody is aware there is a big congestion of games and fixtures are every day. It is something they have to look at."

The coach advocated for resolving matches on the same day, suggesting extra-time and penalties, to give players more time to recover. He emphasized the toll on Premier League teams, citing the increased risk of injuries due to the demanding schedule.

Interestingly, the wish voiced by Espirito Santo may soon materialize, as the FA is reportedly considering eliminating replays in the third and fourth rounds of the FA Cup next season.

However, Blackpool boss Neil Critchley responded assertively, saying, "Tough. This was our 35th game of the season. Replays are part of the magic... These moments don’t last long, and you don’t get many chances to create memories."

Critchley argued that while nobody wants a replay ideally, it adds to the competitive spirit of football and creates lasting memories. He reminisced about the time when multiple replays were a norm and encouraged teams to embrace the challenges presented by the competition.