Judging by Delia's mannerism and the odds falling through the floor, Hughton could end up avoiding having a Norwich relegation on his CV.
This ^^^^^ without doubt, plus we play both Swansea & Villa (as well as the Hammers) & have a chance to pass them, all being equal, and no opportunity to nail Palace or Norwich ourselves.
It'll be 3 after we play 'em next weekend. Theirs : Man City(A), Liverpool (A) and West Brom (H). Ours: West Ham (A) That should put the squeeze on them I reckon ?
I know this sound's daft , but a replay for the Sunderland game next Sunday wouldn't be the end of the world and could actually help us in a sense. Yes it would give us another rearranged game, but they'd have 4 games to be rearranged likely as well as playing the extra FA Cup game, they'd have a quick turnaround on a load of games playing teams fresher than themselves.
Hope I am not tempting fate but perm any 3 from: Norwich Palace Cardiff Sunderland Fulham for the drop, though the likes of WBA are not out of the woods.
Could you genuinely envisage Sunlan giving up this one? Perhaps we should raise the stakes and play for a draw.
A draw might be appealing, the long(ish) term ramifications could be very bad for Sunderland, but I hope we don't get one.
If a draw is as bad a portrayed, then surely they'd let us pass through the replay? Their fans will def use this as an excuse, but in reality, I'm sure they'd play to win both.
He might (foolishly) think 'we can win the FA Cup' and go for it. As already stated , a draw would surely a be a disaster for him. His season is already a success of sorts after today. Just needs to keep em up and he will be seen as a good manager. He may still end up getting relegated, losing two SFs and let go. Maybe his chairman will tell him what his priorities are......
What ever the manager and owner set as priorities, I can't see the players giving up on a chance of a cup medal.