I saw it post match and didnt think much of it. Should have known it would be turned into yet another drama.
I dont think the media help, they do try to recontextualise things for sensational headlines, but really fans should be sensible enough to know better and yet they just seem to get swept up with the SSN flimflam...
I guess the question is "What is the next level"?
Poch is right in that to win a cup requires some luck.
IMO the league is a real mark of quality, to finish top after 38 games is massive. Equally, the CL is a mark of quality. Yes, some luck plays a part, but you have to get out of the group first and the general quality of opposition is very high once you get out of there.
"Next level", for me, is doing better in these competitions, as its a real mark of quality. And I think, by default, teams do better in the other competitions by virtue of building a squad capable of going for the EPL/CL (which, of course, EPL and CL participation reward clubs enough to do so).
So I can see the logic in continued CL football taking a club to the next level. It has been proven many times over.
I cannot see logic in winning the FA cup doing so. And would point to all the non-CL teams that have won the FA and League cups over the years and ask - did they go to the next level? We certainly didnt in 2008.