Is It a Distraction?

And so our date with destiny fast approaches.

Can Luton Town beat Millwall, in the FA Cup 5th round, thereby becoming the first non league team to reach the last eight of the competition this side of World War 2?

There`s no doubting it is an enormous ask, Kenny Jackett and his Millwall side will not be taking us lightly but, on the other hand, they`ll secretly be glad they`re playing us, knowing that if they perform to their potential they should go through.

But is still being involved in the FA Cup a distraction?

On the negative side, the added attention and additional fixtures are leaving us facing a congested end to the season whilst also trying to claw back a points gap that appears to be widening by the week. The FA Cup is also distracting from the fact that our primary aim, of escaping out of non-league football and back into the Football League is in danger of being affected.

But, on the positive side, you have to accept that the cash generated by the FA Cup run has boosted the club scoffers enormously and has provided revenue that wasn`t budgeted for. Also, it`s great to see the name of our club being featured, regularly, in a positive light by the media.

So I guess it is a hard one to call, is the FA Cup a distraction, it`s a question that not even Paul Buckle is prepared to offer an answer to with Buckle commenting on the local radio,

“I can’t wait for Saturday’s game [against Millwall in the FA Cup] to come and go. I hope we win it – whether it’s a distraction I don’t know. But we’re very up and down at the moment.’

I guess only time will tell if it has all been worthwhile, no doubt if we beat Millwall the celebrations will be immense but if, as many expect, it is a hurdle too far, we can I will say we had a marvelous time getting as far as we did.