Wenger Gets Newcastle Backing

Last updated : 18 February 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Add to that international matches, and you wonder how players in those days lasted the season. And it was regular for players to play in ever match, there was no such thing as "rotation" thirty years ago.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has two full teams for different competitions, still believes we play far too many games and wants cup replays scrapped. He gets the full backing of Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder.

Roeder says FA Cup ties should be decided by a single match.

Roeder: "There are so many games to be played now that I would prefer for there to be only one match, decided by extra time and penalties if needed."

Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz has come up with a compromise saying extra time (when needed) should be played in the first tie.

Queiroz: "Why do we have to finish after 90 minutes in the first game when the second one goes to extra time?

"It is part of the rules to have replays but I think there should be extra time in the first match."

Reading boss Steve Coppell, who picked up his own replay with a draw at Old Trafford, says the time has come for a change.

Coppell: "You cannot change the rules once the competition has started but maybe it is something that could be looked at. Big teams don't want an extra game in the calendar because as the season draws to an end their priority has to be Europe and winning the Premiership.

"I can see their point of view because an extra fixture makes demands of the squad.

"But the big four teams have such massive squads they loan a lot of players out. Maybe in future they shouldn't loan so many players out."