When Liverpool's ball was drawn out of the hat to face Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final before the Reds had even played their quarter-final tie against Nottingham Forest last Sunday, few would have expected to have had to wait until the following Friday to find out when the blockbuster fixture would actually be played.
But that should tell you everything that you need to know about the value that is placed on the supporters who still make the historic competition what it is today - despite a catalogue of poor decisions continuing to undermine it.
Once the jewel in the crown of the English football calendar, a series of adjustments continue to inconvenience the loyal supporter. Whether its moving the cup final time to 5.30pm, scrapping replays, making draws before scheduled ties have been played or deciding that the award of reaching Wembley stadium should actually be granted before two teams even reach the final, there is seemingly no end to the disregard for the very people who make the game of football what it is.
