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Football's hall of shame: Talking Sport with James Shield
THE FOOTBALL League gave the Premiership a bloody nose at the weekend.
And deservedly so.
Six top-flight teams waved goodbye to the FA Cup at the third round stage - four of those beaten by clubs outside the elite, while another six could yet follow.
The contempt some of the game's supposed big guns showed the world's most famous domestic knock-out competition is nothing short of disgraceful.
Dave Kitson heads the hall of shame.
What do you think? Post your comments below.
"I do not care less about it, to be honest," said the Reading striker before his team's draw with Tottenham.
"I care about staying in the Premier, as does everybody at this club.
"Our league status is not protected by winning the FA Cup - simple as that."
No, but your chance of achieving a place in history is and so hopefully, if the 27-year-old secures a move to one of the big-four next summer, they remember his words and declare him unavailable for selection.
Kitson's stance - supported unashamedly by his manager Steve Coppell - serves as a reminder that money and short-termism are killing football in this country; something Fabio Capello may well discover once he settles into his office at Soho Square.
Of course avoiding relegation to the Championship is important but so, you would like to think, is winning honours.
Apparently not so at the Madejski Stadium where players and staff alike would apparently be happy to trundle along achieving nothing but mid-table obscurity.
When the champagne corks pop at a 10th place finish but the prospect of lifting a trophy at Wembley is toasted with flat, stale beer then something is rotten.
They will probably argue otherwise but Kitson, Reading and the rest of the Premiership clubs who slipped meekly out at the first hurdle obviously have no motivation other than money.
"We are not going to win the FA Cup," he bleated by way of justification.
Perhaps not but Reading are not going to win the Premiership either.
READ MORE
Click here for full FA Cup fourth round draw.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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