Quote Originally Posted by Maxtax View Post
I agree in the point of unfairness for low level teams(i was there and felt the same) but TE suppose, (and is), a football simulation following the rules of football as we all know it, the way the cup is constructed now with as much as possible closer quality teams does not resemble with any of known football competition, i understand that you have to please ppl, but at least the fundamental rules of football have to be followed, i have to suggest a cup competition in random quality groups of stages of every 5 levels (1 to 5, 6 to 10 etc), this way will resemble like cup, will not be so unfair and players will have the higher possibility to win it every 5 levels and the motivation to go on and break the repetition of similar seasons.
I totally agree with this, the point of playing a football based game is for it to be based on football. The old cup was and the new one isn't. In fact (having read this forum for a while but not posted till now) the discussions on here with people complaining about money etc now just highlight how realistic it was. Teams with no chance of winning could at least earn some good money, just like real life lower level clubs hoping to draw Man Utd etc so they can have a big pay day.

The two things I would have changed in the old system would have been to have had a random draw (not seeded as it was), so everyone had a chance from time to time of going on a cup run (or getting knocked out earlier than expected) and I would have wanted to see the gate receipts split between the two teams - further aiding the lower teams financially.

I think the banding idea works because it's clear some people are looking for glory and not so bothered about taking the big money. Like Maxtax says - that would give everyone a chance (or 2) every 5 seasons.

Finally, I have to disagree with MDKII when he says the new format "differentiates it from League and Champions League" In my experience the league has teams of about my quality plus some weaker teams, the Champions league has teams almost all about my quality (some lower some higher) and the cup now also has teams from about my quality - It has become much more like the other two than it ever was before

I've gone on long enough (and I said finally in the last paragraph) so I'll stop but I have other issues with the new format...