Rio Still Loves The Cup

This FA Cup is wearisome, I tell you. Not the competition itself: it is often a cracker, with great games and fantastic upsets. Watching Luton playing Liverpool off the park makes your whole day better so it's a great thing.

But I am tired of the constant debate about whether it has lost its value. Come on, people, try to enjoy it. I really don't like reporters always asking footballers whether they feel deeply about this competition. Judge that on their performances.

But of course players are patient and Rio Ferdinand was courteous enough to answer the usual question enthusiastically - and he did not do a Dave Kitson.

'You hear some funny quotes coming out from some people saying they don't care about this competition,' said Ferdinand.

'I don't know how you can turn your form on and off for each game.

'You want to win every day in training, let alone a match in front of 30,000 people. Manchester United go into competitions to win them.

'It is just a natural winning mentality to want to go out and win every game you play. Most players are like that. I have not got it inside me to to say I want to win this game but not that one.

'If you do that, you won't do yourself justice, or the team, the club or the fans.'