Yeah, there were about 4 or 5 grounds spread across the country that were considered the biggest and best in the country that the semis typically rotated through, with the selections on a given year based on geographical convenience for the teams in the draw.
Old Trafford and Hillsborough were typical for a semi for 2 northern clubs. White Heart Lane or Highbury for two Southern clubs. Villa Park has hosted the most semi’s as this was the go to if they needed a place in the middle, or for midland clubs.
The Stato in me got curious so I went back and had a look. The Semis started being played at new Wembley in 2008. You had to go back to 95 to find a semi that was not played at one of the above 5 grounds (Elland Road for Everton vs Spurs) . The year before Maine Road was used for Utd vs Oldham, as it was for both games between the same two teams in 90 (the Mark Robbins semi). You then have to go back all the way to 80 to find a different ground used (Highfield road)
Would love to see them now drop points against Bournemouth and Fulham, and finish outside the CL spots…albeit that means next season they’d go all in on the PL.
I’m trying to look at this from a positive perspective: imagine the miracles Man City will do for world’s economy in the summer, given that they have already invested 200 million pounds since the end of the last summer alone.
Their defensive signings looked every bit panic buys and so its not surprising they have not helped them, but its interesting that Nico has been complete non-entity to the point it is easy to forget they even spent 50 million quid on him
Looks like something happened between Pep and January signing Kushanov.
He was substituted at halftime against Bournemouth (March 30th) when they were 1-0 down and since then he hasn’t been used at all. 6 games on bench and 3 games not even in the squad.
