Bolton to quit FA Cup

It is reported that Bolton Wanderers could offer a bye to Spurs as a mark of respect to Fabrice Muamba. That would mean Wanderers forfeiting their FA cup place and exiting the competition. Meanwhile Spurs would progress unchallenged to the semi final.

Now, I am not in the dressing room or the club so I don't know what the feeling is inside the camp but I would have presumed one of the things Muamba would love to come round to would be to see his team mates play for HIM at White Hart lane and put in a heroic performance. Much like Man Utd did after Munich. It would be even better if Bolton went on to lift the cup in his honour. Otherwise Muamba's horrible experience will have been in vein (sort of) if we simply roll over.

Having said that - Muamba's friends in the team may not like the prospect of going back to a ground where it all happened as it holds bad memories. Which camp do you think you would be in?

I know this is different but in the last 12 months a young chap from Darwen was in a car crash and died. He and his friends played 7 aside every week in a local league. As an act of defiance and remembrance and dedication to their friend they went from the funeral in the afternoon to the 7 aside league and still played their game (instead of the usual funeral pissup). They went on to win the league and put a trophy with his grave stone.

I honestly don't care, if they stay in i don't expect the players to be mentally ready to compete to the fullest. If they drop out i respect that decision fully.

Harsh as it might sound, what are they gonna do in the future? Never play at White Hart Lane again?

I like the way that the incident has woken people up to the reality that football means very little at the end of the day, but that doesn't mean we should have to pack up and go home and find something else to do with our lives.

I sympathise with the players but they will have to move on eventually. Muamba would not want them to pack it in.

I'm firml;y in the 'play on' camp. How anyone can say pulling out of a competition in which a team mate is very seriously injured/ill as a mark of respect, has got it back-to-front. Its giving up, and should be seen as that. If anyone thinks a gesture should be made, in this case, it should be Spurs giving us a bye ! (I dont find that acceptable either).

For me, the game has simply got to be played. The team owe it to Fabrice and to all the Wanderers fans who travelled down to London on Sunday.

There is also talk of the Blackburn game being postponed. If that's the case then the backlog of fixtures could seriously hamper our chances of staying in the prem.

If it appears by Friday that Fab's condition is going to improve, I think it would be unacceptable for the Blackburn game to be called off.

I think playing the game is a greater sign of respect, and I honestly think we will. I reckon us pulling out is just hype made by the media.

It's a few years since I cared too much about football, but this suggestion that we should let Spurs go through without playing the game is absolute crap and makes me quite angry.

I don't know Muamba but if I was in his shoes I wouldn't want any game cancelled in my honour, I'd want my team-mates to go out there and try and win the game in my honour.

I don't think we should quit the cup really.
As others have said - if it's a mark of respect - then play, win it for Muamba.
I think it would be a shame to quit.
And also, as has been mentioned - what if we had to play Spurs in the league again yet, would we quit that too?

Does that mean the players have stopped training too?

When my brother had his accident and was in a coma his friends still had to go to work. We all had to get on with our lives.

Win 4 Muamba!

FFS, nobody is suggesting cancelling the bloody game in anybody's "honour". The Villa game wasn't canelled in anybody's honour either.

The issue is whether the players and manager will be in a fit state to prepare for the game and play in the game.

Example - today, our manager was still in London, and training was voluntary.

They're supposed to be professionals Largehat, they should play.

No way should we forfeit the cup match or postpone Saturday's game. I cannot believe Muamba would want us to do so. As most other posters have said the way to show respect to Muamba is to play on and win a few matches.

I think they should play the game, and also play Blackburn.

It does seem Fabrice is improving, responding to questions and recognising family.

If things continue to improve which I hope to god they do then we should play the game again and play also on Saturday.

Fabrice wouldn't want us to pull out as he is a professional footballer and I can't imagine he would approve of us just giving up on the cup.

I am definitely in the "play on" camp



Why FFS sould we forfeit any cup game - if anything we the players should be willing to put the extra training ion to play the game and win it - whether it be for Muamba or just glory!

On a seperate note, when Spurs come down the Reebok in a few weeks I think the club should put all the medics who helped save Fabrice on Saturday up in the De Vere Whites hotel and give them hospitality treatment and free tickets for the game.

You are heroes.

Does that include the Spurs fan who came running on and ran the show?

Was he not the cardiac specialist? If so, he should be the guest of honour methinks.

He was a cardiologist. He should be given the VIP treatment when Spurs visit the Reebok.