Why is it dated ?
It is a chance for a minnow for e.g. to play at one of the big clubs grounds, or for the smaller club to take a big boy back to their place and have a chance with being at home, and it is also generates more money for some clubs that need it as it is an extra game with extra income.
As with most of the issues in football these days, there is just simply too much football, and too many games these days.
I absolutely agree with you that if we were to draw say Man U at home, and we manage to hold them to a draw we deserve the opportunity to play them at Old Trafford for both the prestige and the financial reward.
Given that replays are to be scapped, what do people think about changing the gate receipts and prize money dependent on the league that a club is playing in. Something like.
If opponents are in the same league - straight 50:50 split
If opponents are Premier v League 2 - Split 10:90 (in favour of League 2 side)
If opponents are Premier v League 1 - Split 20:80 (in favour of League 1 side)
If opponents are Premier v Champ - Split 40:60 (in favour of Championship side)
And similar splits for higher leagues v lower leagues etc.
I'm sure people will say that Premier league sides already don't take cup sides seriously, so making their carrot smaller isn't going to make that much difference anyway.