Bournemouth Fan View: FA Cup capitulations have to stop

As an AFC Bournemouth fan I understand that staying in the Premier League is so important. It’s essential for us to build up the club’s infrastructure for the coming years.

So naturally, cup competitions take a backseat to top flight survival. Namely the EFL and FA cups. At least we made a decent run to the quarter finals in the former though.

The way we exited the FA Cup this season – a 3-0 humbling at League One Wigan Athletic in the third round on Wednesday night – was humiliating, as well as massively unfair to the fans. Especially the poor 491 supporters who travelled to Greater Manchester on a cold Wednesday night.

READ MORE: Bournemouth dumped out of FA Cup by third tier Wigan

AS IT HAPPENED: Wigan Athletic vs AFC Bournemouth

Sweet FA (Cup)

What’s most irritating is how Eddie Howe pretends like he cares about the FA Cup. In press conferences before games in the competition he comes out with standard platitudes regarding how much he wants to progress and so on.

Yet his actual actions speak louder than those empty words. Two seasons and two 3-0 defeats to League One sides in the FA Cup – Millwall were our convincing conqueror in the last campaign – is all you need to know.

On Wednesday night our lack of depth was cruelly exposed. Players that should be attempting to oust those in our first eleven showed no appetite to roll up their sleeves and fight either.

FA Cup progress rejected

Eddie Howe didn’t even travel to Wigan with the team. Instead he flew up later in the day, choosing to take first team training in the morning.

This lack of enthusiasm for the FA Cup clearly didn’t help motivate the players, as they put in a collective display that was truly dismal. Although we put out a weakened side several of those selected should have stepped up. Instead they hid.

One of these was Andrew Surman, who put in a captain’s display that was as inspiring as a soggy lettuce sandwich. His early season form appears to have completely evaporated.

At least he has shown some form this campaign though, unlike Harry Arter – who I’m not sure will ever play well for us again. He put in two challenges in the first half that could have easily both been deemed as red cards. Sadly these reckless tackles appear to represent his frustration at his lack of form.

Then there’s Benik Afobe, who is somehow getting worse every game. He inexplicably fell over when one-on-one on Wednesday, suggesting that he may well be developing a phobia of scoring goals.

Refunds for fans?

So am I saying the fans who travelled should be refunded? No. Because – and I hate to say it – those who travel to watch us in the FA Cup should already be well aware of what they’re going to get from an Eddie Howe side in a cup competition. Disappointment.

Because as important as our upcoming weekend trip to fellow relegation battler West Ham United is, Wednesday felt like a lost opportunity.

If we’re safe from relegation in April – and that’s a big if I know – I hope we’re not left rueing our complete rejection of having a memorable FA Cup run.