In 26 years since the Prem started.......

[KratosBaggie]

How many non top 6 teams in that period had a great day out in the final?

I think Albion and Blues fans were laughing more than Villa fans when they got spanked by Arsenal in the final.

1991–92 Liverpool 2–0 Sunderland Wembley Stadium (original) 80,000
1992–93 ® Arsenal 2–1 * Sheffield Wednesday Wembley Stadium (original) 62,267
1993–94 Manchester United 4–0 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (original) 79,634
1994–95 Everton 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,592
1995–96 Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (original) 79,007
1996–97 Chelsea 2–0 Middlesbrough Wembley Stadium (original) 79,160
1997–98 Arsenal 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,183
1998–99 Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,101
1999–2000 Chelsea 1–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (original) 78,217
2000–01 Liverpool 2–1 Arsenal Millennium Stadium 72,500
2001–02 Arsenal 2–0 Chelsea Millennium Stadium 73,963
2002–03 Arsenal 1–0 Southampton Millennium Stadium 73,726
2003–04 Manchester United 3–0 Millwall Millennium Stadium 71,350
2004–05 Arsenal 0–0 Manchester United Millennium Stadium 71,876
2005–06 Liverpool 3–3 West Ham United Millennium Stadium 71,140
2006–07 Chelsea 1–0 * Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 89,826
2007–08 Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,874
2008–09 Chelsea 2–1 Everton Wembley Stadium (new) 89,391
2009–10 Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth Wembley Stadium (new) 88,335
2010–11 Manchester City 1–0 Stoke City Wembley Stadium (new) 88,643
2011–12 Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (new) 89,041
2012–13 Wigan Athletic 1–0 Manchester City Wembley Stadium (new) 86,254
2013–14 Arsenal 3–2 * Hull City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,345
2014–15 Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (new) 89,283
2015–16 Manchester United 2–1 * Crystal Palace Wembley Stadium (new) 88,619
2016–17 Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (new) 89,472
2017–18 Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 87,647

So in 18 of 26 years a non big 4/5/6 club has got to the final. Whilst it might not have ended well it was still a cup final. 
Don't let the facts get in the way Tom... and 50 years without going to a final I reckon I'd quite like a day out with my Dad before he pops it.

Thank god I live in my world where I still dream that the Albion will strive to get to a cup final and actually win something rather than the world many of our fans live in where success is 38pts 8 wins, 14 draws and 16 defeats and 17th in the Prem and going out in the first rounds of all cup comps to non-league opposition playing the under 13s.

No wonder the country is going to hell in a handcart when many people think ambition, working hard, getting on, striving for betterment is something that should be handed to them on a plate when they start whining when life gets a little bit tough.

Using facts to back up a valid argument. That won't go down well on here.

[SW4Baggie]

How many non top 6 teams in that period had a great day out in the final?

I think Albion and Blues fans were laughing more than Villa fans when they got spanked by Arsenal in the final.

1991–92 Liverpool 2–0 Sunderland Wembley Stadium (original) 80,000
1992–93 ® Arsenal 2–1 * Sheffield Wednesday Wembley Stadium (original) 62,267
1993–94 Manchester United 4–0 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (original) 79,634
1994–95 Everton 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,592
1995–96 Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (original) 79,007
1996–97 Chelsea 2–0 Middlesbrough Wembley Stadium (original) 79,160
1997–98 Arsenal 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,183
1998–99 Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,101
1999–2000 Chelsea 1–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (original) 78,217
2000–01 Liverpool 2–1 Arsenal Millennium Stadium 72,500
2001–02 Arsenal 2–0 Chelsea Millennium Stadium 73,963
2002–03 Arsenal 1–0 Southampton Millennium Stadium 73,726
2003–04 Manchester United 3–0 Millwall Millennium Stadium 71,350
2004–05 Arsenal 0–0 Manchester United Millennium Stadium 71,876
2005–06 Liverpool 3–3 West Ham United Millennium Stadium 71,140
2006–07 Chelsea 1–0 * Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 89,826
2007–08 Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,874
2008–09 Chelsea 2–1 Everton Wembley Stadium (new) 89,391
2009–10 Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth Wembley Stadium (new) 88,335
2010–11 Manchester City 1–0 Stoke City Wembley Stadium (new) 88,643
2011–12 Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (new) 89,041
2012–13 Wigan Athletic 1–0 Manchester City Wembley Stadium (new) 86,254
2013–14 Arsenal 3–2 * Hull City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,345
2014–15 Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (new) 89,283
2015–16 Manchester United 2–1 * Crystal Palace Wembley Stadium (new) 88,619
2016–17 Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (new) 89,472
2017–18 Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 87,647

So in 18 of 26 years a non big 4/5/6 club has got to the final. Whilst it might not have ended well it was still a cup final. 
Don't let the facts get in the way Tom... and 50 years without going to a final I reckon I'd quite like a day out with my Dad before he pops it.

Thank god I live in my world where I still dream that the Albion will strive to get to a cup final and actually win something rather than the world many of our fans live in where success is 38pts 8 wins, 14 draws and 16 defeats and 17th in the Prem and going out in the first rounds of all cup comps to non-league opposition playing the under 13s.

No wonder the country is going to hell in a handcart when many people think ambition, working hard, getting on, striving for betterment is something that should be handed to them on a plate when they start whining when life gets a little bit tough.

Of that list, only 2 of those sides were in the 2nd tier at the time, and neither were involved in a promotion battle.

Without looking at the historic tables, I'd be surprised if any less than 2/3rds of those smaller clubs were outside of the top 10-12 when they reached the cup final.

Do I think we failed to take the cups as seriously as we could/should over the last decade, yes. We had some poor exits under Pulis and a few unfortunate draws with Roy and Clarkey, however the stats would suggest that we would just be exerting energy for no reason with a cup run this season!

[CA Baggie]

How many non top 6 teams in that period had a great day out in the final?

I think Albion and Blues fans were laughing more than Villa fans when they got spanked by Arsenal in the final.

1991–92 Liverpool 2–0 Sunderland Wembley Stadium (original) 80,000
1992–93 ® Arsenal 2–1 * Sheffield Wednesday Wembley Stadium (original) 62,267
1993–94 Manchester United 4–0 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (original) 79,634
1994–95 Everton 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,592
1995–96 Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (original) 79,007
1996–97 Chelsea 2–0 Middlesbrough Wembley Stadium (original) 79,160
1997–98 Arsenal 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,183
1998–99 Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,101
1999–2000 Chelsea 1–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (original) 78,217
2000–01 Liverpool 2–1 Arsenal Millennium Stadium 72,500
2001–02 Arsenal 2–0 Chelsea Millennium Stadium 73,963
2002–03 Arsenal 1–0 Southampton Millennium Stadium 73,726
2003–04 Manchester United 3–0 Millwall Millennium Stadium 71,350
2004–05 Arsenal 0–0 Manchester United Millennium Stadium 71,876
2005–06 Liverpool 3–3 West Ham United Millennium Stadium 71,140
2006–07 Chelsea 1–0 * Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 89,826
2007–08 Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,874
2008–09 Chelsea 2–1 Everton Wembley Stadium (new) 89,391
2009–10 Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth Wembley Stadium (new) 88,335
2010–11 Manchester City 1–0 Stoke City Wembley Stadium (new) 88,643
2011–12 Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (new) 89,041
2012–13 Wigan Athletic 1–0 Manchester City Wembley Stadium (new) 86,254
2013–14 Arsenal 3–2 * Hull City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,345
2014–15 Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (new) 89,283
2015–16 Manchester United 2–1 * Crystal Palace Wembley Stadium (new) 88,619
2016–17 Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (new) 89,472
2017–18 Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 87,647

So in 18 of 26 years a non big 4/5/6 club has got to the final. Whilst it might not have ended well it was still a cup final. 
Don't let the facts get in the way Tom... and 50 years without going to a final I reckon I'd quite like a day out with my Dad before he pops it.

Thank god I live in my world where I still dream that the Albion will strive to get to a cup final and actually win something rather than the world many of our fans live in where success is 38pts 8 wins, 14 draws and 16 defeats and 17th in the Prem and going out in the first rounds of all cup comps to non-league opposition playing the under 13s.

No wonder the country is going to hell in a handcart when many people think ambition, working hard, getting on, striving for betterment is something that should be handed to them on a plate when they start whining when life gets a little bit tough.

in the interest of betterment- 18 out of 27 years.

Kill the hyperbole -no one has called 17th place success.

As for your last paragraph.  Wow, did you vote Brexit?

[Duffers]

How many non top 6 teams in that period had a great day out in the final?

I think Albion and Blues fans were laughing more than Villa fans when they got spanked by Arsenal in the final.

1991–92 Liverpool 2–0 Sunderland Wembley Stadium (original) 80,000
1992–93 ® Arsenal 2–1 * Sheffield Wednesday Wembley Stadium (original) 62,267
1993–94 Manchester United 4–0 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (original) 79,634
1994–95 Everton 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,592
1995–96 Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (original) 79,007
1996–97 Chelsea 2–0 Middlesbrough Wembley Stadium (original) 79,160
1997–98 Arsenal 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,183
1998–99 Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,101
1999–2000 Chelsea 1–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (original) 78,217
2000–01 Liverpool 2–1 Arsenal Millennium Stadium 72,500
2001–02 Arsenal 2–0 Chelsea Millennium Stadium 73,963
2002–03 Arsenal 1–0 Southampton Millennium Stadium 73,726
2003–04 Manchester United 3–0 Millwall Millennium Stadium 71,350
2004–05 Arsenal 0–0 Manchester United Millennium Stadium 71,876
2005–06 Liverpool 3–3 West Ham United Millennium Stadium 71,140
2006–07 Chelsea 1–0 * Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 89,826
2007–08 Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,874
2008–09 Chelsea 2–1 Everton Wembley Stadium (new) 89,391
2009–10 Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth Wembley Stadium (new) 88,335
2010–11 Manchester City 1–0 Stoke City Wembley Stadium (new) 88,643
2011–12 Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (new) 89,041
2012–13 Wigan Athletic 1–0 Manchester City Wembley Stadium (new) 86,254
2013–14 Arsenal 3–2 * Hull City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,345
2014–15 Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (new) 89,283
2015–16 Manchester United 2–1 * Crystal Palace Wembley Stadium (new) 88,619
2016–17 Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (new) 89,472
2017–18 Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 87,647

So in 18 of 26 years a non big 4/5/6 club has got to the final. Whilst it might not have ended well it was still a cup final. 
Don't let the facts get in the way Tom... and 50 years without going to a final I reckon I'd quite like a day out with my Dad before he pops it.

Thank god I live in my world where I still dream that the Albion will strive to get to a cup final and actually win something rather than the world many of our fans live in where success is 38pts 8 wins, 14 draws and 16 defeats and 17th in the Prem and going out in the first rounds of all cup comps to non-league opposition playing the under 13s.

No wonder the country is going to hell in a handcart when many people think ambition, working hard, getting on, striving for betterment is something that should be handed to them on a plate when they start whining when life gets a little bit tough.

in the interest of betterment- 18 out of 27 years.

Kill the hyperbole -no one has called 17th place success.

As for your last paragraph.  Wow, did you vote Brexit?

This guy was definitely lied to by a bus.

[billybassett]

How many non top 6 teams in that period had a great day out in the final?

I think Albion and Blues fans were laughing more than Villa fans when they got spanked by Arsenal in the final.

1991–92 Liverpool 2–0 Sunderland Wembley Stadium (original) 80,000
1992–93 ® Arsenal 2–1 * Sheffield Wednesday Wembley Stadium (original) 62,267
1993–94 Manchester United 4–0 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (original) 79,634
1994–95 Everton 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,592
1995–96 Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (original) 79,007
1996–97 Chelsea 2–0 Middlesbrough Wembley Stadium (original) 79,160
1997–98 Arsenal 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,183
1998–99 Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,101
1999–2000 Chelsea 1–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (original) 78,217
2000–01 Liverpool 2–1 Arsenal Millennium Stadium 72,500
2001–02 Arsenal 2–0 Chelsea Millennium Stadium 73,963
2002–03 Arsenal 1–0 Southampton Millennium Stadium 73,726
2003–04 Manchester United 3–0 Millwall Millennium Stadium 71,350
2004–05 Arsenal 0–0 Manchester United Millennium Stadium 71,876
2005–06 Liverpool 3–3 West Ham United Millennium Stadium 71,140
2006–07 Chelsea 1–0 * Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 89,826
2007–08 Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,874
2008–09 Chelsea 2–1 Everton Wembley Stadium (new) 89,391
2009–10 Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth Wembley Stadium (new) 88,335
2010–11 Manchester City 1–0 Stoke City Wembley Stadium (new) 88,643
2011–12 Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (new) 89,041
2012–13 Wigan Athletic 1–0 Manchester City Wembley Stadium (new) 86,254
2013–14 Arsenal 3–2 * Hull City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,345
2014–15 Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (new) 89,283
2015–16 Manchester United 2–1 * Crystal Palace Wembley Stadium (new) 88,619
2016–17 Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (new) 89,472
2017–18 Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 87,647

So in 18 of 26 years a non big 4/5/6 club has got to the final. Whilst it might not have ended well it was still a cup final. 
Don't let the facts get in the way Tom... and 50 years without going to a final I reckon I'd quite like a day out with my Dad before he pops it.

Thank god I live in my world where I still dream that the Albion will strive to get to a cup final and actually win something rather than the world many of our fans live in where success is 38pts 8 wins, 14 draws and 16 defeats and 17th in the Prem and going out in the first rounds of all cup comps to non-league opposition playing the under 13s.

No wonder the country is going to hell in a handcart when many people think ambition, working hard, getting on, striving for betterment is something that should be handed to them on a plate when they start whining when life gets a little bit tough.

in the interest of betterment- 18 out of 27 years.

Kill the hyperbole -no one has called 17th place success.

As for your last paragraph.  Wow, did you vote Brexit?

Nope. But got more respect for those who did than the 13 million who couldn't be arsed and probably fit into the last para category as well.

[Derek Hardballs]

How many non top 6 teams in that period had a great day out in the final?

I think Albion and Blues fans were laughing more than Villa fans when they got spanked by Arsenal in the final.

1991–92 Liverpool 2–0 Sunderland Wembley Stadium (original) 80,000
1992–93 ® Arsenal 2–1 * Sheffield Wednesday Wembley Stadium (original) 62,267
1993–94 Manchester United 4–0 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (original) 79,634
1994–95 Everton 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,592
1995–96 Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (original) 79,007
1996–97 Chelsea 2–0 Middlesbrough Wembley Stadium (original) 79,160
1997–98 Arsenal 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,183
1998–99 Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,101
1999–2000 Chelsea 1–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (original) 78,217
2000–01 Liverpool 2–1 Arsenal Millennium Stadium 72,500
2001–02 Arsenal 2–0 Chelsea Millennium Stadium 73,963
2002–03 Arsenal 1–0 Southampton Millennium Stadium 73,726
2003–04 Manchester United 3–0 Millwall Millennium Stadium 71,350
2004–05 Arsenal 0–0 Manchester United Millennium Stadium 71,876
2005–06 Liverpool 3–3 West Ham United Millennium Stadium 71,140
2006–07 Chelsea 1–0 * Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 89,826
2007–08 Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,874
2008–09 Chelsea 2–1 Everton Wembley Stadium (new) 89,391
2009–10 Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth Wembley Stadium (new) 88,335
2010–11 Manchester City 1–0 Stoke City Wembley Stadium (new) 88,643
2011–12 Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (new) 89,041
2012–13 Wigan Athletic 1–0 Manchester City Wembley Stadium (new) 86,254
2013–14 Arsenal 3–2 * Hull City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,345
2014–15 Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (new) 89,283
2015–16 Manchester United 2–1 * Crystal Palace Wembley Stadium (new) 88,619
2016–17 Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (new) 89,472
2017–18 Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 87,647

So in 18 of 26 years a non big 4/5/6 club has got to the final. Whilst it might not have ended well it was still a cup final. 
Don't let the facts get in the way Tom... and 50 years without going to a final I reckon I'd quite like a day out with my Dad before he pops it.

Thank god I live in my world where I still dream that the Albion will strive to get to a cup final and actually win something rather than the world many of our fans live in where success is 38pts 8 wins, 14 draws and 16 defeats and 17th in the Prem and going out in the first rounds of all cup comps to non-league opposition playing the under 13s.

No wonder the country is going to hell in a handcart when many people think ambition, working hard, getting on, striving for betterment is something that should be handed to them on a plate when they start whining when life gets a little bit tough.

So getting to the Prem isn't an achievement for a Pro footballer? 

Sorry but having been to both the Play-Off final and cup Semi-final and losing I can honestly say I hated every minute once the final whistle had been blown and I couldn't wait to leave. It was miserable experience both times and Wembley is only a nice place to be if you win. 

The idea that a handful of clubs outside the top six in the top flight getting to the final means that a Championship club should go all out to win the competition when it is striving for...yes success in the league is an odd logic. 

You're going to have to remind me when was the last time we had a cup run of any note that wasn't funded by Sky money. Was it when we played Everton and got the poop kicked out of us to the point that we limped to the end of the season carrying injuries and missing out on the Play-Offs?.

[billybassett]

How many non top 6 teams in that period had a great day out in the final?

I think Albion and Blues fans were laughing more than Villa fans when they got spanked by Arsenal in the final.

1991–92 Liverpool 2–0 Sunderland Wembley Stadium (original) 80,000
1992–93 ® Arsenal 2–1 * Sheffield Wednesday Wembley Stadium (original) 62,267
1993–94 Manchester United 4–0 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (original) 79,634
1994–95 Everton 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,592
1995–96 Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (original) 79,007
1996–97 Chelsea 2–0 Middlesbrough Wembley Stadium (original) 79,160
1997–98 Arsenal 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,183
1998–99 Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,101
1999–2000 Chelsea 1–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (original) 78,217
2000–01 Liverpool 2–1 Arsenal Millennium Stadium 72,500
2001–02 Arsenal 2–0 Chelsea Millennium Stadium 73,963
2002–03 Arsenal 1–0 Southampton Millennium Stadium 73,726
2003–04 Manchester United 3–0 Millwall Millennium Stadium 71,350
2004–05 Arsenal 0–0 Manchester United Millennium Stadium 71,876
2005–06 Liverpool 3–3 West Ham United Millennium Stadium 71,140
2006–07 Chelsea 1–0 * Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 89,826
2007–08 Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,874
2008–09 Chelsea 2–1 Everton Wembley Stadium (new) 89,391
2009–10 Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth Wembley Stadium (new) 88,335
2010–11 Manchester City 1–0 Stoke City Wembley Stadium (new) 88,643
2011–12 Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (new) 89,041
2012–13 Wigan Athletic 1–0 Manchester City Wembley Stadium (new) 86,254
2013–14 Arsenal 3–2 * Hull City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,345
2014–15 Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (new) 89,283
2015–16 Manchester United 2–1 * Crystal Palace Wembley Stadium (new) 88,619
2016–17 Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (new) 89,472
2017–18 Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 87,647

So in 18 of 26 years a non big 4/5/6 club has got to the final. Whilst it might not have ended well it was still a cup final. 
Don't let the facts get in the way Tom... and 50 years without going to a final I reckon I'd quite like a day out with my Dad before he pops it.

Thank god I live in my world where I still dream that the Albion will strive to get to a cup final and actually win something rather than the world many of our fans live in where success is 38pts 8 wins, 14 draws and 16 defeats and 17th in the Prem and going out in the first rounds of all cup comps to non-league opposition playing the under 13s.

No wonder the country is going to hell in a handcart when many people think ambition, working hard, getting on, striving for betterment is something that should be handed to them on a plate when they start whining when life gets a little bit tough.

So getting to the Prem isn't an achievement for a Pro footballer? 

Sorry but having been to both the Play-Off final and cup Semi-final and losing I can honestly say I hated every minute once the final whistle had been blown and I couldn't wait to leave. It was miserable experience both times and Wembley is only a nice place to be if you win. 

The idea that a handful of clubs outside the top six in the top flight getting to the final means that a Championship club should go all out to win the competition when it is striving for...yes success in the league is an odd logic. 

You're going to have to remind me when was the last time we had a cup run of any note that wasn't funded by Sky money. Was it when we played Everton and got the poop kicked out of us to the point that we limped to the end of the season carrying injuries and missing out on the Play-Offs?.

I bet you haven't smiled in 26 years either.

Firstly, I never mentioned Pro footballers life ambitions but surely a winning something would be up there, as would a cup final appearance and maybe win plus a World Cup finals appearance. Playing in the Prem - wow - look at the chumps we've paid to play there like Hal Robson fkin Kanu
Secondly, because you might cry when we lose a semi final, you'd rather we didn't get to any. Bizarre.
Thirdly, Success breeds success. Ask Greening if he was really upset they went on a cup run when they won the championship in 07/08
Fourthly, the logic that when we are higher in the football pyramid we have more chance of winning a cup is really really obvious. So by dint of the fact we were in the top division we got the sky money so we should have been more likely to go on a cup run (but we didn't see point below..)
Fifthly, We've reached one SF in the prem years. We reached 10 before that not counting the finals we've been in. So no guarantees that more money means more finals.
Sixthly, the concept that if we had played our best team in every cup game in the last 15 years would of a) not led to more cup runs or b) would have dented our league form/place etc to me is just a nonsense.

[Derek Hardballs]

How many non top 6 teams in that period had a great day out in the final?

I think Albion and Blues fans were laughing more than Villa fans when they got spanked by Arsenal in the final.

1991–92 Liverpool 2–0 Sunderland Wembley Stadium (original) 80,000
1992–93 ® Arsenal 2–1 * Sheffield Wednesday Wembley Stadium (original) 62,267
1993–94 Manchester United 4–0 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (original) 79,634
1994–95 Everton 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,592
1995–96 Manchester United 1–0 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (original) 79,007
1996–97 Chelsea 2–0 Middlesbrough Wembley Stadium (original) 79,160
1997–98 Arsenal 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,183
1998–99 Manchester United 2–0 Newcastle United Wembley Stadium (original) 79,101
1999–2000 Chelsea 1–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (original) 78,217
2000–01 Liverpool 2–1 Arsenal Millennium Stadium 72,500
2001–02 Arsenal 2–0 Chelsea Millennium Stadium 73,963
2002–03 Arsenal 1–0 Southampton Millennium Stadium 73,726
2003–04 Manchester United 3–0 Millwall Millennium Stadium 71,350
2004–05 Arsenal 0–0 Manchester United Millennium Stadium 71,876
2005–06 Liverpool 3–3 West Ham United Millennium Stadium 71,140
2006–07 Chelsea 1–0 * Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 89,826
2007–08 Portsmouth 1–0 Cardiff City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,874
2008–09 Chelsea 2–1 Everton Wembley Stadium (new) 89,391
2009–10 Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth Wembley Stadium (new) 88,335
2010–11 Manchester City 1–0 Stoke City Wembley Stadium (new) 88,643
2011–12 Chelsea 2–1 Liverpool Wembley Stadium (new) 89,041
2012–13 Wigan Athletic 1–0 Manchester City Wembley Stadium (new) 86,254
2013–14 Arsenal 3–2 * Hull City Wembley Stadium (new) 89,345
2014–15 Arsenal 4–0 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium (new) 89,283
2015–16 Manchester United 2–1 * Crystal Palace Wembley Stadium (new) 88,619
2016–17 Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea Wembley Stadium (new) 89,472
2017–18 Chelsea 1–0 Manchester United Wembley Stadium (new) 87,647

So in 18 of 26 years a non big 4/5/6 club has got to the final. Whilst it might not have ended well it was still a cup final. 
Don't let the facts get in the way Tom... and 50 years without going to a final I reckon I'd quite like a day out with my Dad before he pops it.

Thank god I live in my world where I still dream that the Albion will strive to get to a cup final and actually win something rather than the world many of our fans live in where success is 38pts 8 wins, 14 draws and 16 defeats and 17th in the Prem and going out in the first rounds of all cup comps to non-league opposition playing the under 13s.

No wonder the country is going to hell in a handcart when many people think ambition, working hard, getting on, striving for betterment is something that should be handed to them on a plate when they start whining when life gets a little bit tough.

So getting to the Prem isn't an achievement for a Pro footballer? 

Sorry but having been to both the Play-Off final and cup Semi-final and losing I can honestly say I hated every minute once the final whistle had been blown and I couldn't wait to leave. It was miserable experience both times and Wembley is only a nice place to be if you win. 

The idea that a handful of clubs outside the top six in the top flight getting to the final means that a Championship club should go all out to win the competition when it is striving for...yes success in the league is an odd logic. 

You're going to have to remind me when was the last time we had a cup run of any note that wasn't funded by Sky money. Was it when we played Everton and got the poop kicked out of us to the point that we limped to the end of the season carrying injuries and missing out on the Play-Offs?.

I bet you haven't smiled in 26 years either.

Firstly, I never mentioned Pro footballers life ambitions but surely a winning something would be up there, as would a cup final appearance and maybe win plus a World Cup finals appearance. Playing in the Prem - wow - look at the chumps we've paid to play there like Hal Robson fkin Kanu
Secondly, because you might cry when we lose a semi final, you'd rather we didn't get to any. Bizarre.
Thirdly, Success breeds success. Ask Greening if he was really upset they went on a cup run when they won the championship in 07/08
Fourthly, the logic that when we are higher in the football pyramid we have more chance of winning a cup is really really obvious. So by dint of the fact we were in the top division we got the sky money so we should have been more likely to go on a cup run (but we didn't see point below..)
Fifthly, We've reached one SF in the prem years. We reached 10 before that not counting the finals we've been in. So no guarantees that more money means more finals.
Sixthly, the concept that if we had played our best team in every cup game in the last 15 years would of a) not led to more cup runs or b) would have dented our league form/place etc to me is just a nonsense.

Whether you like it or not the FA Cup and the league Cup aren’t taken seriously by the vast majority of teams in terms of team selection until the quarter finals. Then if the big boys are still in they start playing stronger teams that invariably win the competition. Now you can piss and moan about that every year or Justin accept it for what it is. 

Banging on about finals we reached long before the Prem money is meaningless. 

Belittling a pro for playing in the Prem is a bit daft given you or I or most I’d not all those on here aren’t good enough to seems rather churlish when you take a step back. 

Also your opinion that I shouldn’t be unhappy when we lose at Wembley and just enjoy the occasion is lovely but I don’t get much pleasure from losing key games be theyvat Twerton Park it Wembley. 

Football isn’t set in aspic and had moved on whether any of us like it or not. Arguably we are still in the best and most important cup competition and that is the Championship Play-offs. Enjoy