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The shock defeats of by Bodo/Glimt within the Champions League and of by Macclesfield within the FA Cup had one factor in widespread – each ties have been performed on plastic pitches.
4 English golf equipment – QPR, Luton, Preston and Oldham – within the Eighties and early Nineteen Nineties, earlier than they have been banned from the English skilled sport over points with ball roll and bounce and fears over long-term accidents.
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They haven’t been allowed since within the Premier League or Soccer League, with any promoted golf equipment who play on synthetic surfaces – having to exchange them with grass pitches.
The Metropolis and Palace outcomes ought to function a warning to Brentford, who’re the subsequent aspect to go to Macclesfield within the FA Cup, within the fourth spherical on 16 February.
Whereas neither Pep Guardiola or Oliver Glasner blamed the pitches for his or her defeats, Bees boss Keith Andrews might want to have his preparation spot-on to keep away from turning into the sufferer of one other giant-killing.
And given our efficiency within the FA Cup third spherical at Sheffield Wednesday, I feel he’ll.
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Though we now have a sport in opposition to solely 4 days earlier than the journey to Moss Rose, I’m certain that Andrews will discover time to coach the squad on a synthetic floor forward of the tie.
I additionally suppose that – as at Hillsborough – he’ll title a powerful matchday squad to keep away from any slip-ups.
You possibly can argue that synthetic pitches must be banned from all competitions as they provide the golf equipment who play on them each week an unfair benefit.
Nonetheless, I do not suppose that might be proper.
All grounds have their very own quirks with which the house workforce are acquainted, so sides simply should get on with it and never make excuses – not that Brentford would if we bought knocked out.
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What do you consider synthetic pitches in cup competitions – ought to they be allowed or do they provide golf equipment an unfair benefit? And does the floor at Moss Rose even up the tie between non-league Macclesfield and Premier League Brentford?
[BBC]