Rumours were flying around on Saturday evening that "serious consideration" was being given to the abandonment of this year's FA Cup. "Frankly, there is no interest", opined one leading spokesperson. Another leading football authority (known as 'Bill down my local boozer') went on record as saying "The FA Cup is a dead event without any of the Big Bore". Meanwhile, plans are supposedly afoot to reinstate Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal as replacements for Barnsley, West Bromwich Albion and Cardiff City to make the tournament more interesting. A leading figure was apparently heard to say that the draw may not take place through lack of interest thus causing the abandonment of the whole competition. Another plan to save the competition's  reputation would be to bring in a 'Super FInal' between the eventual winners and Manchester United, giving Manchester United a ten goal start. FootballCynic will, of course, keep his ear close to the ground on this one.