Dean Saunders claims he can’t understand why teams like Wolves aren’t going ‘all out’ for the FA Cup

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Wolverhampton Wanderers beat League One side Shrewsbury Town in an FA Cup replay on Tuesday night.

Dean Saunders has bizarrely claimed that he can’t understand why teams like Wolves are not ‘going all out’ for the FA Cup despite Nuno Espirito Santo’s side still being in the competition.

The former Aston Villa striker was leaning more towards the number of changes managers make when domestic competitions come about, particularly those teams that are free from relegation.

However, during Wolves’ 3-2 win over League One side Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday night [BBC Sport], Nuno played a strong team for the FA Cup replay, with the likes of Conor Coady, Wily Boly and Matt Doherty all starting.

Despite that, Saunders was discussing the FA Cup and the mindset some teams and their supporters have of the oldest competition in world football.

“Fans want to see their team going to Wembley and winning the FA Cup,” Saunders told the Alan Brazil Breakfast Show on talkSPORT on 07/02/2019. “If they can’t get relegated. There’s a group of teams that can’t get relegated.

“I can understand Fulham playing half a team when they have a massive game at the weekend because they need the points to stay in the league.

“But the teams like Wolves, all them in midtable, West Ham, who aren’t going to get relegated. I can’t get my head around why they are not going all out to win the FA Cup.”

During Wolves’ pulsating win against Shrewsbury, the likes of João Moutinho and Raul Jimenez also got some minutes under their belt as Nuno’s side survived a scare.

Defender Doherty opened the scoring after two minutes before the away team equalised through James Bolton in what was their first attempt on target.

A mistake from goalkeeper John Ruddy allowed the third-tier side to take a surprise lead before Doherty netted his second of the match on the stroke of half-time.

Ivan Cavaleiro ensured there was no upset on the cards as Wolves will now take on Championship side Bristol City in the next round, with a quarter-final spot awaiting the winners.