Saturday 20 February 2016 18:10, UK
Hull boss Steve Bruce was again left questioning the logic of FA Cup replays after his side held holders Arsenal to a draw in their fifth-round meeting at the Emirates Stadium.
The Tigers had goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic to thank for keeping the hosts at bay as the Switzerland international made a number of important saves to keep the scoreline goalless.
With a Champions League tie against Barcelona on Tuesday night in mind, Arsene Wenger made nine alterations, while Bruce went one further with 10 changes.
But the Sky Bet Championship leaders now face another fixture in an already packed schedule with the replay set to take place during the week of March 7, with Arsenal also busy in three competitions.
Before the game, Wenger said he was "conservatively English" and felt replays should remain in the FA Cup, while Bruce called for them to be axed.
And, after Jakupovic's heroics, the argument came up again as Bruce lamented the number of games his promotion-chasing side face in the run-in.
"I said before, there is nobody more traditionalist than me when it comes to the FA Cup, but why can't we just go to penalties?" Bruce told reporters.
"Why do we have to have a replay? Supporters have to find the money to support their team. In the past to win a European cup, you had to play six or seven games - now it's 17.
"We all love the FA Cup and for our club, the final was the biggest day in our lives. We play Ipswich on Tuesday and you know when you come to the Emirates, you are going to have to run a million miles.
"A footballer can play three games in three days if he wants but you can't play with the energy or intensity that you need to win a Championship game or an FA Cup tie.
"And that's the big reason why. We have a game on Tuesday and then on Friday. Then the following Tuesday then Friday again. It's ridiculous the number of games we have got coming up."
Bruce was also full of praise for Jakupovic - who was making just his eighth appearance of the season - and defended his wholesale changes.
"He has waited long enough," Bruce added. "The form of Allan McGregor has been excellent too. I'm delighted for Eldin. It's never easy to be a number two but he works hard every day and I'm sure he will remember that one. He made some good saves and kept us in the cup.
"The team I put out has over 600 Premier League appearances between them, so it's not as though I am putting out a load of rookies.
"It's a fine line between the so-called second team and the first team but that will do us a power of good and stand us in good stead."
