WITH European glory nights hopefully here to stay for British clubs, the FA should make sure that semi finals in their premier knockout competition are not arranged for the weekend that comes before or after a European semi.

Warrington Guardian sports editor Mike Parsons

With Mike Parsons

For as long as that situation continues, the governing body are devaluing the FA Cup in my view.

There is no way that Middlesbrough can be expected to be at their best in this weekend's FA Cup semi final with West Ham.

Surely it is wrong that Middlesbrough are having to play three semi-final ties in eight days in two different competitions.

Players and staff at all clubs work hard to gain honours and when they get to the semi-final stage they should be given a fair chance of realising their dreams.

But Middlesbrough are not going to get that because of the schedule that has been set.

Middlesbrough play Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Cup semi final first leg tonight, Thursday, and could have their minds on next Thursday's second leg when they face West Ham at Villa Park on Sunday.

The Upton Park outfit have no such concerns and should therefore have the advantage of being sharply focused.

It would make a nice story for Steve McClaren to reach both finals with Middlesbrough before leaving to take on the England job (my gut instinct, not inside knowledge) but I don't feel the squad at the Riverside Stadium have the strength to achieve the double.

I was delighted to see Middlesbrough and West Ham paired together in the draw for the semis because I think there would have been a greater chance of a boring stalemate in the final showdown if both Chelsea and Liverpool had made it through.

Both Middlesbrough and West Ham would be huge underdogs against Chelsea or Liverpool and I enjoy scenarios like that, especially if the underdogs deliver the goods on the day.

I am edging towards an all-London affair in the Millennium Stadium final on May 13.

Liverpool will hold no fear of facing up to Chelsea in Saturday's semi final at Old Trafford but I feel the Premiership's champions-elect have a touch more form at this current time.

The Blues appeared to go off the boil for a spell, with a loss at Fulham and a draw at Birmingham hardly being considered as title-winning standard. But they hit the high notes in the 4-1 victory over West Ham before Easter and followed on with a 2-0 win at Bolton and a 3-0 home win against Everton, suggesting to me that Jose Mourinho's boys are returning to their best just at the right time of the season.

The Stamford Bridge outfit go into the semi-final tie with the psychological strength of bidding to win the league and cup double, although it is fair to say the Reds will be inspired with the knowledge that this competition offers the last hope of silverware for them this season.

Such incentives should never be ignored and, as always, it will come down to which team want it the most on the day.