The Pieman loves the FA Cup. It can be a great leveller when little clubs can play giant killers and shocks always occur in the third round. This season’s was no exception. It was a case of the big boys sometimes having to say fair play mate.
So why does it happen? Terrible pitches, the big boys' field weaken teams or the small clubs, who even struggle at times in their own leagues, rise to the occasion and play above their ability. Sometimes the bad weather often experienced at this time of the year can play a part. In other words there are a variety of reasons including another important one-luck!
Anyway it all makes for good Cup stories and the Pieman, along with the rest of the nation, had a good chuckle at some of the results.......
So why does it happen? Terrible pitches, the big boys' field weaken teams or the small clubs, who even struggle at times in their own leagues, rise to the occasion and play above their ability. Sometimes the bad weather often experienced at this time of the year can play a part. In other words there are a variety of reasons including another important one-luck!
Anyway it all makes for good Cup stories and the Pieman, along with the rest of the nation, had a good chuckle at some of the results.......
The headline of course was the new richest club in the world, Manchester City losing at home to the Championship strugglers Nottingham Forest 3-0. Forest have just sacked their manager and their first goal was scored by a man called Tyson. Knock-out blow and all that (ha!ha! got it?). It leaves City’s manager Mark Hughes under huge pressure because his team are in the relegation region. Hughes is pointing fingers at his players’ performances and rightly so. Some of his big-name defenders are awful at present and one of the better players up front, Shaun Wright-Phillips, is now injured. The cheque book is coming out and they will be spending but what quality will Hughes really get at this time of year apart from signing Chelsea’s talented full back Wayne Bridge. The manager needs a Pukka pie or two to steady the ship. Meanwhile Forest’s new manager Billy Davies took control after the match...and who did Forest get in the next round draw? Derby County away, the club who sacked Billy Davies a year ago! I had to chuckle. It’s like a panto!
The fourth round draw produced a classic, and it was first out of the bag. Liverpool against their deadly local rivals Everton at Anfield. I had another chuckle! Fair play mate, what a ding-dong that will be. Pass the pies!
What about Chelsea? I had to chuckle again when League One Southend United scored a stoppage time goal at Stamford Bridge to hold the mighty home side to a 1-1 draw. Oh my goodness, and Chelsea fielded a strong side. The winners of the replay at Roots Hall will be at home to Ipswich. Good stuff!
The only giant-killing non-league act was by Torquay United who popped Championship side Blackpool out of the Cup with a one nil home win. Managerless Blackpool were without several players for different reasons but even so it was a terrific result and the South Devon team, having won the sand-castle battle, are now at home to another Championship team Coventry. Bring on the pasties and cream teas!
Kettering Town’s reward to beating another non-league team Eastwood is a home tie with Premier League Fulham. That game is bound to be on the telly. Come of you Poppies! It’s not a million miles away from Pukka Pies HQ in Leicester. Will they put Harrods in their place? (got it? Harrods owner is also the owner of Harrods, hey, it’s not so funny when you have to explain it!!)
Manchester United against Spurs is a repeat of last year except that Spurs are now managed by Harry Redknapp who last season was the boss of FA Cup winners Portsmouth who beat Manchester United on the way. Yet another of those quirky stories that the FA Cup throws up.
League one Hartlepool knocked Premier League Stoke City out of the Cup and are rewarded with another home tie in the fourth round against another Premier League team, West Ham United.
Who will win the FA Cup? Depends on pairings and a little luck. These are one-off knock-out games and any club can have a great day or an off day. For the Pieman it is Manchester United or Aston Villa. What do you think?
Have a listen to my current show with my new mate Tom Ross. We do not agree on a lot of football topics but hey that’s what football is all about. Fair play mate, it’s all about opinions. Please let’s have yours. Send us an email or text. The details are on the website.
Our new record is almost ready for release. It’s a knockout and very catchy. It’s by the Piegirls with some help from the Pieman. More details soon.
Join me on the show folks. It’s football, so fair play mate...
Join me on the show folks. It’s football, so fair play mate...
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