Is there a special atmosphere to expect if Chelsea would entertain Millwall?
asks Michael Schlagenhaufen via email. Yes, Michael, there would be a cracking atmosphere at Stamford Bridge but Millwall, as mentioned, will face a really difficult task at Bradford next week after their initial meeting at the Den ended 3-3 on Saturday.
Paul Airey has a valid point about Cambridge United v Manchester United:
I know this plea will fall on deaf ears, but wouldn’t it be refreshing if whoever reports on this fixture avoids the pitfall of writing about “United” if who they really mean is the team from Manchester rather than Cambridge?
We live in hope!
And Elliot Carr-Barnsley adds …
Cambridge versus Man U? I smell a punditry call up for Dion Dublin.
Elsewhere, among several standard and uninspiring fixtures, if Liverpool win tonight Emile Heskey will be returning to Anfield in a Bolton shirt …
On that note, I’m off. Do pop over to AFC Wimbledon v Liverpool – live with Jacob Steinberg. Bye!
Well there you go. One guaranteed highlight – Cambridge United v Manchester United – and a couple of potentially tasty derbies: Chelsea v Millwall (if they beat Bradford in a replay, which is of course no easy task) and Birmingham City v West Bromwich Albion
Manchester City v Middlesbrough
Doncaster/Bristol City v Everton/West Ham
Sunderland v Fulham/Wolves
Rochdale v Stoke City
Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal
Burnley/Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City
AFC Wimbledon/Liverpool v Bolton Wanderers
Cardiff City v Reading
Aston Villa v Bournemouth
Birmingham City v West Bromwich Albion
Preston North End v Sheffield United
Derby v Scunthorpe/Chesterfield
Chelsea v Millwall/Bradford City
Blackburn Rovers v Swansea City
Cambridge United v Manchester United (great tie for the U’s)
Southampton/Ipswich v Crystal Palace
Mark Champan tees it up from the President’s lounge at Kingsmeadow to the usual cheers and oi ois
Douglas Hawthorn has been in contact via email:
Quick “big up” for Cambridge United. Back in the Football League after a nine year absence, and in the fourth-round for the first time in fifteen years. Glory days. Would settle for a rerun of the rehearsal in the draw, albeit at the Abbey.
Yes, big up indeed – always great to see big teams having to step out of their comfort zone.
Stef drawing the home teams, Lawrie the aways …
We’re moments away … but here’s a refresher of the numbers in the pot
1. Arsenal
2. Southampton or Ipswich Town
3. Stoke City
4. Blackburn Rovers
5. Crystal Palace
6. AFC Wimbledon or Liverpool
7. Manchester City
8. Rochdale
9. West Bromwich Albion
10. Birmingham City
11. Aston Villa
12. AFC Bournemouth
13. Reading
14. Swansea City
15. Cardiff City
16. Bolton Wanderers
17. Sunderland
18. Burnley or Tottenham Hotspur
19. Millwall or Bradford City
20. Derby County
21. Brighton & Hove Albion
22. Fulham or Wolverhampton Wanderers
23. Leicester City
24. Scunthorpe United or Chesterfield
25. Everton or West Ham United
26. Cambridge United
27. Chelsea
28. Middlesbrough
29. Sheffield United
30. Manchester United
31. Preston North End
32. Doncaster Rovers or Bristol City
There is something terrible about the draw being made with eight teams still to play their third round fixture (not including replays). Then again, who had the bright idea of putting Everton v West Ham on a Tuesday night? Such silliness.
While we wait for the draw, why not pay Jacob Steinberg a visit over on the AFC Wimbledon v Liverpool MBM? Just promise you’ll come back in 10 minutes, ok?
Glamour of the cup captured perfectly by our man at Kingsmeadow tonight
Slightly obstructed view from the pressbox at AFC Wimbledon tonight pic.twitter.com/Ly03b2hyls
— Daniel Taylor (@DTguardian) January 5, 2015
Lawrie Sanchez, who was part of the victorious Wimbledon team in 1988, and Stef Loucaides, a local grassroots football coach, will be making tonight’s draw.
In the trial, Manchester City were drawn at home to Cambridge United, the lowest ranked team left in the competition.
Here we go, then. The FA Cup fourth round draw – almost but not quite as good as the third round draw on the basis that there are fewer chances of a major shock.
Then again, there hasn’t been a giantkilling yet (step up AFC Wimbledon, who take on Liverpool right after these balls are pulled out of a drum?). Wrexham promised a surprise until Stoke’s Stephen Ireland ruined it, Sheffield Wednesday led at Man City briefly while Blyth Spartans threatened to upset Birmingham and Southport were denied in desperately late circumstances at Derby. Sheffield United, on the basis of their outstanding record in knockout competitions, winning at a QPR side whose priorities lie elsewhere was hardly a shock. It pains to say, the #magicofthecup has not been all that magic so far.
Nevermind, we live in hope, eh?
Alan will be here shortly before the draw, which is due to start at 7.30pm. Here are the teams and their numbers:
1. Arsenal
2. Southampton or Ipswich Town
3. Stoke City
4. Blackburn Rovers
5. Crystal Palace
6. AFC Wimbledon or Liverpool
7. Manchester City
8. Rochdale
9. West Bromwich Albion
10. Birmingham City
11. Aston Villa
12. AFC Bournemouth
13. Reading
14. Swansea City
15. Cardiff City
16. Bolton Wanderers
17. Sunderland
18. Burnley or Tottenham Hotspur
19. Millwall or Bradford City
20. Derby County
21. Brighton & Hove Albion
22. Fulham or Wolverhampton Wanderers
23. Leicester City
24. Scunthorpe United or Chesterfield
25. Everton or West Ham United
26. Cambridge United
27. Chelsea
28. Middlesbrough
29. Sheffield United
30. Manchester United
31. Preston North End
32. Doncaster Rovers or Bristol City
