Here we go then – I don’t know about you but whenever the cup games come around, I always hope for either a tie against top flight opponents or, preferably a non-league or much lower placed team just to make things interesting? As it is, this year our march to Wembley begins with a pretty dull draw against divisional opponents Sheffield Utd. We travel to Bramall Lane in slightly better fettle than if the tie had been played 2 or 3 weeks back, however we also have the knowledge that it was only 3 weeks ago that we were turned over on our own patch by our opponents in what was ultimately a relatively comfortable game for them despite City’s efforts on the day. Tie History This will be the 5th time we have met the Blades in the FA cup with our record against them reading arather demoralising W1 L4. The most recent encounter in the FA Cup against them was back in 2004 when Utd were once again divisional opponents in a 3rd round tie (they’d also made it to the semi-final the year prior, losing 1-0 to Arsenal). The game was played out at Ninian Park in front of 10,525 fans who (at least according to the BBC report from that time) were rather disgruntled at the Bluebirds efforts in the game. Some decent names in the Blades line up that day though, including a future Bluebird & Welsh National Team manager! The cup that year was won by Manchester Utd who beat Millwall in the final 3-0. Our FA Cup results v the Blades; 25/4/1925 Final – Wembley – Lost 1-0 15/01/1972 3rd round – Bramall Lane – won 1-3 27/01/1999 4th round – Bramall Lane – Lost 4-1 03/01/2004 3rd round – Ninian Park – Lost 1-0 Incidentally, our lowest home league attendance of the 2003/04 season also came against Sheffield Utd with a crowd of just 13,666 turning up for our match in March of that season. In, Out Or No Sign Of Them About OK, so, it’s a cup game, against known opponents, and we’re struggling towards the bottom end of the table in the league, does our manager; a) Play a full strength side to keep team cohesion going and give us chance of a long overdue cup run; b) Mix it up a bit and give one or two youngsters a start giving us half a chance; or c) Throw in a hugely changes line up of fringe players and youngsters and almost guarantee our exit? Let’s be honest, I think we all know what’s coming….. Predicted Starting 11 Horvath Ng Fish Giles Bagan Ralls Colwill El Ghazi Ashford Kanga Tanner If truth be told there will probably be more youngsters than listed above but I can’t recall who’s available now and who’s out on loan. The Odds Home Win 17/20 Draw 13/5 Away Win 29/10 Match Day Melody Given that we’re away at the Blades, we need to show some steel of our own so….. C'mon the City - time to replicate Fred Keenor and the boys!! Bring it home to Wales's Capital City....
Kpakio at right back, not sure Giles is a centre back but Ng can play there. Kanga up front? I would play Masky. Couldn't do any worse.
So it's nearly 100 years since I saw us get beaten at Wembley by the Blades in our first final. I had to work overtime in order to afford the trip. I've never liked them since. I know they have an overrated centre forward now but is that McBurnee still thugging for them? And I don't like their manager. As you may have gathered, Sheffield Utd are not one of my fave teams. It won't happen but a bit of a cup run could cheer us all up a bit. Anyway, great thread Brizzle. Thanks. Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooobirds
Twaty McTwatface has gone off to screw someone else's purse strings. Las Palmas of Tenerife are the sucker club. 15 games, no goals. Sounds like our sort of striker. Sory Kaba went there. Now on loan at Elche.
Don't forget folks, the magic of the cup is being televisualised for us courtesy of BBC Wales tonight - if you can't pick up BBC Wales on TV it may well be available via i-Player instead after a delay (not checked but assume that's what they mean about it being available shortly after broadcast?).
Last season’s 3rd round trip to Sheffield went badly. 2 missed penalties in first few minutes then got battered. It can’t get worse than that tonight can it
Who really cares? Hardly a priority for the rest of this season. We could play a load of youngsters but a thrashing could demoralise them and blight their football careers. Why not select the likes of Collins, Meite, Kanga and some other ne'rdowells whose careers are already blighted? This game doesn't matter. Suck up whatever and move on. The next 2 games are much more important. Just heard Bournemouth have recalled their striker Jebbison on loan at Watford as their 2 main strikers, Unal and Evanilson are injured, could be out for the season.
Well you’re not wrong but it’s such a pity the way the football game has gone. I’m sure I’m not alone in back in the day eagerly awaiting the 3rd round draw and then an early January 3pm Saturday trip to either NP or whoever we were paired with. Now it’s as if this game tonight is an inconvenience and a distraction from the League and an excuse to blood some youngsters around some of the first team squad. I’m not sure why BBC licence fee money should be spent on televising this tie. Better spent on vital TV celebrity cooking, dancing, holidaying, quizzing programmes and woke drama I’ll be watching it tonight though
Totally with you Nin - it's a crying shame that survival in your respective divisions or finishing anywhere between 2nd and 7th in the Premier League is now deemed more of a success than actually winning a trophy I'm pretty sure that the year Wigan won the cup but went down, the majority of their fans were happy to have won the cup despite their relegation - however, it'd be interesting to ask the same question of them now, all these years later given that they have never managed to regain their top flight status and now reside even lower down the league. Personally I'd sacrifice Championship football for an FA Cup Final Victory and a European adventure - surely winning trophies and titles is what the game is meant to be about, not finishing 21st and being happy to retain cash flow??
