FA Cup 3rd Round – A Mixed Bag

Stoke may not think so now but getting knocked out by Hartlepool isn’t all bad news as they don’t need any distractions or extra games this season if they are going to stay in the Premiership.

Man City have to take the same approach, although what odds on Mark Hughes being in charge by the end of the month?

Chelsea really don’t need the replay, but congrats to Southend (and thanks as well!!!)

Hull on the other hand will take heart from the fact that they have stopped the losing streak, especially against a premiership side, which is an example of how the FA Cup can help build confidence.

Man Utd had a simple victory over Southampton. I got a bit irritated with the journalists on the Sunday Supplement though. They were moaning about teams playing squad players in the early rounds but:

• In the case of Stoke for example their ONLY priority is staying up so why risk injury and fatigue to players?
• Everyone moans that the likes of Chelsea only buy establish established players and don’t bring on the youngsters. Well in a climate when if you lose 3 games in a row as a manager your job is on the the line, where the money is so significant for success, when are they going to bring young players on if not in the lower rounds? The journalists want their cake and to eat, bunch of fat gits!!!!!

Stand out draw for the 4th round had to be Liverpool v Everton!!!!! With Man Utd v Spurs a close second.

Fourth Round Draw

Liverpool v Everton
Man Utd v Spurs
Hull or Newcastle v Millwall or Crewe
Sunderland v Blackburn
Hartlepool v West Ham
L Orient or Sheff Utd v Charlton or Norwich
Cardiff City v Arsenal
Pompey or Bristol City v Histon or Swansea
Chelsea or Southend v Ipswich
Cheltenham or Doncaster v Villa
WBA or Peterborough v QPR or Burnley
Torquay United v Coventry City
Kettering Town v Fulham
Watford v Leicester or Palace
Derby v Nottingham Forest
Birmingham or Wolves v Boro

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