We’ve never had any sort of cup run under Hodgson.
Therefore over roughly 5 seasons we’ve more or less thrown the towel in on 10 competitions(FA Cup and Carabo Cup).
Personally I’m uneasy with this.
Had we won last night we would have had a home draw v Luton and the opportunity of a proper cup run.
Have people already forgotten the excitement and feel good factor of the cup run a couple of seasons ago that took us to the semi final?

One of the posters said sagely before that game that Hodgson would set us up to achieve a narrow defeat and it certainly had that feel about it.
Does anyone seriously think that the lame defeat yesterday will leave us better equipped to face Arsenal?
I envisage another defeat with the excuse being made that we had a tough game a few days before.
Even if one accepts the argument about the squad not being particularly strong, there’s no excuse for not giving it our best shot e.g giving it a go with both Edouard and Mateta on at the same time, by not playing four players out of position.
No doubt the excuses will continue, but I’m told that’s not just 6 wins in 26 games.
That speaks for itself.

I actually said to my mate last night (a WH fan) whilst trying not to sound bitter (lol)- Everton break the Profit & Sustainability rules, get found out & penalized in the league, but are able to use the same squad value that contributed to the financial discretion to compete in the cups -

You can you know! Last week Arbroath brought their substitute keeper on to play up front because they had no one else on the bench when the striker got injured. He scored a worldly from 40 yards out. Maybe that’s the answer! [Link]

Not forgetting the 4 hour round trip in the dark from/to my abode on the south coast.

I envisage myself imbibing some alcoholic refreshments in a local Public House with certain employees and customers in a state of shock due to my presence in this establishment rather than at Selhurst Park.