Now 61, the Manchester City assistant-boss grew up in an era when the competition was regarded as one of the biggest days in the entire football calendar. He was fortunate to experience that winning feeling at Wembley twice during his time on Sir Alex Ferguson's coaching team at Manchester United and on Sunday is hoping to reach the fifth round of this season's competition as City entertain Notts County in a fourth-round replay. But Kidd is also acutely aware the FA Cup is not what it was. With Premier League survival now becoming increasingly important to those in the top flight not already pre-occupied by European glory, the world's oldest knockout competition has taken a back seat. Turning the competition into a midweek event and abandoning replays have been suggested as two ways of breathing fresh life into the tournament. But Kidd is not convinced either would work. "It is up to the powers that be to see if they can do something," he said. "The FA Cup was a fantastic occasion. People say you are old fashioned and times have changed but it was a memorable day. "Every supporter in the land watched the FA Cup final. It wasn't just if your team was there. You had the brass band, the singing, the white suits. It was fantastic. I suppose the modern ones don't want that now do they?" Certainly club chief executives are not keen on sacrificing their league places given the money that is accrued through Premier League status. "If I am honest, it has a bit to do," said Kidd, when asked if the FA Cup could recapture former glories. "Football has changed dramatically. Clubs who are not fortunate enough to have strength in depth want to stop in the league because of what goes with it. "The FA Cup has been diluted a little bit." That is not to say City are ignoring it. As they approach 35 years since their last piece of silverware, the Blues are desperate to get their hands on anything. Barring a bizarre sequence of results, any lingering hope of Premier League glory was ended with that derby defeat at Manchester United last weekend, which leaves just two chances of ending that barren run this term. A place in the last 16 of the Europa League is by no means secure following a goalless first leg with Aris in Greece on Tuesday, so a Notts County outfit managed by Paul Ince is not going to be taken for granted. "The importance of this tournament cannot be underestimated," said Kidd. "Once you win a trophy it is intoxicating. It is a great feeling. "The length of time is there as well. You can't get away from the fact it has been so many years since we won a trophy. "But it is like getting an injection. You want more of it." Mancini needs to check on the fitness of Nigel de Jong and James Milner before finalising his starting line-up, although Mario Balotelli is certain to be involved after recovering from a knee injury. Shaun Wright-Phillips' services will also be required even though it appears increasingly likely the England star will quit City this summer after finding himself squeezed out of the first-team picture completely until Adam Johnson suffered the ankle injury that has ruled him out for three months. "There is not a problem with Shaun," said Kidd. "I am not privy to what is going on behind the scenes but he has a really good mentality and is going to be a very important part of our squad from now until the end of the season."
