Try asking Mansfield Town supporters if the FA Cup is a devalued commodity, after the side sitting 13th in League one took 3,500 supporters to Turf Moor and beat top-flight Burnley 2-1, despite manager Nigel Clough making six changes.
Try asking the Burnley fans who reacted furiously at the final whistle whether it matters. Their pain was clear, the anger voluble.
Clarets manager Scott Parker, with Premier League survival as his target, made nine changes from a dramatic victory at Crystal Palace, only to see the decision backfire.
Parker may be able to play down the result should Burnley stay up, but it still represents another serious blot on his copybook. And will be remembered if they are relegated.
The FA Cup still retains its unique pulling power, whoever is on the teamsheet.
A full house watched West Ham only scrape past League One strugglers Burton Albion after extra time, while Leeds United’s victory on penalties over Birmingham City at St. Andrew’s carried a real throwback feel to it.
One head coach who has clearly learned not to play fast and loose with the FA Cup is Liverpool’s Arne Slot, who made a relatively conservative four changes from their win at Sunderland for a 3-0 fourth-round win against Brighton at Anfield.
Slot was memorably stung at the same stage last season when he made 10 alterations for a tricky tie at then Championship side Plymouth Argyle.
He compounded his error by leaving the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah at home, Liverpool’s shadow team losing 1-0 in a memorably raucous atmosphere at Home Park.
It was the object lesson that the FA Cup is not to be messed with, as it can still produce the moments that can make memories for a lifetime.
The most magical of all may yet await when sixth-tier Macclesfield face Brentford, seventh in the Premier League, on Monday as they try to repeat their sensational third-round win at home to Crystal Palace.
The atmosphere at Moss Rose will be red hot once more. This will be the archetypal FA Cup occasion. Brentford will have been warned by Crystal Palace’s downfall, so their teamsheet will be of interest.
It has become a delicate, hazardous balancing act as the FA Cup represents a genuine chance for those clubs who have no hope of challenging for the Premier League – or success elsewhere.
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