FA CUP WARNING: underestimate your opponent at your own risk!

Aston Villa, Q.P.R., Norwich, Spurs and now Liverpool haven’t learnt the main lesson seen in the FA CUP year after year; taking lower league opposition lightly may lead to a “Giant-killing”.

Either by not playing their full teams, giving youth a chance, not taking their opportunities in front of goal or other excuses the teams used in their post-match interviews, it is simple, they underestimated how good their opponents actually were and has led to their ball not being in the draw for the next round; they only have themselves to blame.

It must be absolutely infuriating for fans of these Premiership teams that they don’t take opposition of whatever level seriously enough, but for neutrals and fans of the leagues below it, it leads to great cup moments and is the reason I love the FA CUP so much.

Today and yesterday has shown the “underdogs” can truly have their day and if the top teams continue to show a lack of respect to their lower league opposition in the coming rounds and the opposition plays the game of their lives and steps up to the challenge, maybe the FA CUP has yet more shocks in this year’s tournament; due to this lesson still not being learnt.