Knew someone would make the Bradford link. For younger readers, so look away Beddy but everyone else stay with me, I'd just add.... When the draw was made in 76 it was WBA or Saints v Norwich or Bradford. Norwich were top 6 and going well and their fans could smell Wembley. After St Mick had seen off the baggies in the replay all eyes switched to the much postponed game at Norwich, where Bradford, a poor 4th Division club, were expected to get thrashed. A defensive siege and two breakaways saw Bradford win 2-1. The rest etc. The parallels with last night are obvious, even down to our 5th round opponents. Oh,in '68 the baggies beat Saints in a replay and went on to win the cup. It's all in the runes, I tell you. Alternatively it's all a load of bollocks. Your choice! As long as it doesn't become 1974 when we lost to 3rd Div Wrexham and the result so buggered our season we ended up relegated I'll be OK.
They just beat Man City Gary... nobody thinks it’ll be easy, but I’m delighted it is Wigan not City. Oh and I was there that night; no reminders thanks
We've had a tendency this season to match our performance to the team we're up against. The team need to be up for this. This is a good chance but that's all it is, a chance and we need to take it. 100% please lads and give is something positive to remember this season for.
Same! So many hopes & expectations blown away. I'm sure that night was a combination of L1 grit, determination & our over confidence? Just hope we don't get too carried away here & that as a few others have said, this cup run can continue to be a positive catalyst. And who knows .....
Yeah, it was a very tough. I stayed the night expecting a brill booze up & fantastic "together" b'fast - so many Saints fan in my hotel. ****, what a night / morning!
Was that you fighting with the police afterward? Shameful night, and City fans response last night reminded me of how any success attracts dickheads to "support" you. I too stayed over. Had more fun at funerals!
Wigan's manager said that when they drew City they didn't even exchange texts because they thought they were out...and he added that he expected Southampton felt the same drawing Wigan/City....so now, he said, both sets of fans are happier. How true....both teams are eyeing the semi-finals. Let's hope Wigan have used up all their luck, but they have to be respected for what they have achieved so far. Saints have to see this as a difficult fixture that could lift this season from the doldrums.
Wigan are a good side. I’ve been to see them live this season and they try to play football in a similar way to us. It will be a good game if you like to see a passing game (Wigan didn’t show too much of that last night), but it might not be a thrill in a minute. Team top of league one v team in bottom three of PL... not that far apart. I think how we both do in our next couple of games will have a bearing. Wigan have lost their last two league games. We have two tough, but winnable games coming up. Anyone know any good solicitors?
Reckon we might be subject to some harsh stewarding up there. Wigan have only conceded 18 goals in the league this year so well organised!
Any chance of a rumour being started, saying that we want to buy Grigg in the summer, to, kind of, unsettle him? There is no straw that I won’t grasp at.
In some respects this is a tougher challenge for Saints than if we ended up playing Man City, in that it's possible (yes possible) that a mentality might have crept into the team's collective mind that it (maybe) would not be such a blow for them or the fans to lose; most would have us down to lose anyway against MC. However that scenario no longer exists and the reaction if we lose to Wigan will see, I fear, a complete melt-down on here and elsewhere, despite their heroics in this last match and previous ones. Saints season so far has not helped this possibility. Now that is not disrespecting Wigan in any way, I'm delighted for them and for that part of the world where the clubs around Manchester are ignored and forgotten by the media in general. For Saints it is their 'Final' as well as Wigan, and for the team to approach this in less than a clinical and professional way will provide the result none of us want. I do wander also, if now that MC are out of the FA Cup, our last match of the season is now going to be even harder?
I'd rather it was Wigan, because even if we lose it isn't City going through. Can't bear all this talk of City sweeping the board....we'd never hear the end of it.
