Defenders of the FA Cup's place in British football culture may claim Aston Villa's surprise home defeat by League One (third tier) Sheffield United on Saturday was poetic justice.
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Villa manager Paul Lambert's pre-match suggestion that most Premier League managers would sacrifice a Cup run for league points rankled some and Villa fans were smarting after the seven-times winners were bundled out 2-1 in the third round.
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"It was bitterly disappointing after a really good win on Wednesday (at bottom side Sunderland in the Premier League)," Lambert told the club's website.
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"To get knocked out was really frustrating. It hurts.
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"Anyone who knows me will tell you I'm not the happiest person when we lose. We picked a really strong side to try and get through."
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Inevitably, Lambert was asked about his pre-match comments and denied he had devalued the world's oldest cup competition, which Villa won for the first time in 1887.
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"I never demeaned the competition one bit. I respect the history of the competition and what the competition is about," Lambert said. "If you look at my own career, I have won some nice things through cup competitions."
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"I think (in) the whole context of the interview, there was never any way I was decrying the competition at all," he added.
I really feel he deserves to be sacked because i don't think he really knows what trophy is all about.
I don't think the man is serious with his job as a coach. If he doesn't try to win the FA Cup what other trophy will he win?