Monday the 10th March 2008

This weekends actions was hyped up as a weekend that saved the FA Cup and English football itself and from a neutral point of view it was fantastic to see.

Even before the first ball ws kicked in the quarter finals,there were strong arguments that the FA Cup had retained some of its magic. One footballer had been hung to dry by the media for saying that he didnt care about the cup as long as his team stayed in the premiership. The fact it caused such a big reaction suggests that he may have had a point. Players want a career at the top with their club,not one cup run to remember.

The big four (including my team Arsenal) hold such a boring hold over the other clubs that inevitably you put all your effort into a cup run to run into one of these top four teams who have won it the last 12 seasons. And as a supporter,when you win it you dont give a stuff. Thats why theres a lot more intrest now that around 60% of british football supporters have had their teams knocked out.

Scenes such as Havent and Waterloo taking the lead twice against Liverpool and Barnsleys last gasp winner http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1H7X_zaL2o&feature=related arent as commonplace each season now. Whats perhaps more intresting was the crumble of Premiership teams from the start,whether due to unfortunate draws - see Aston Villa, Giantkillings - E.g Everton or mistaking a balloon for a ball because really your a bit of a twat - Man City. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcxhnvJO3Tc

Looking at this weekend, I dont know which I prefered - The sight of Rio going in goal with a goalkeepers shirt so big it looked like a dress with the Manchester United staff taking the loss as well as they always do. This was made even more sweet with these comments by both managers before the game.

"We'll go there with exactly the same system that has won us so many games away from home. Two wide men (Utaka and Kranjcar) who can't defend to save their lives and a striker up front (Kanu) who can't run around that much. That is it really."Portsmouth boss Harry Redknap


"I can't name a strongest team. I could pick four different starting XIs and say every one is as strong as the other." Alex Ferguson




Or Chelsea battering the Barnsley defence for the final twenty mins with fans running on the pitch thinking it was full time. Made even better by the fact Avram Grant told Frank Lampard he wouldn't be needed for the game and so he was at home watching it on TV.

So out of the four who left it,who'll win it.

Portsmouth (Or as I call them,The Arsenal B Team)

You'd think they've already won it listening to my mates who are Pompey fans. Theres 5 in total and only ones slightly cautious about the semis. When your the last premiership team left,it automatically makes you favourites, especially when one player costs about the same as the rest of the three teams put together.

I've also seen a few of Portsmouths FA Cup games and they've failed to convince the last two games at least. On another day Man United would have battered them (flashbacks of Arsenal Man United Fa Cup Final 2005),and Preston did enough to win also before a own goal in injury time.

That said, if they keep that luck for two more games,they'll win the cup. And with the ex-Judas leading the way his team will hopefully have more of a level headed attitude then the frenzy gripped Portsmouth supporters. And few neutrals would begrudge Redknapp or James,two people respected by me at least lifting the FA Cup.

West Brom - Much as I dont really want them to win it due to the lack of romanticism as a neutral, West Brom have been outstanding. You can only play what opposition your given in football. While Portsmouth have only won by the odd goal in every round including struggling championship sides,West Brom have really accelerated their FA Cup run. In the last three games,they've scored 13 goals - ten away from home. Yes theres an argument they've had a relatively easy run in but they've put goals passed these 'weaker' teams to suggest Portsmouth are in for a tougher test then they think.

Cardiff - Have had possibly the most intresting run in Playing the conference teams such as Chasetown and Hereford have been potential pitfalls navigated rather then easy teams to play against. I think the pressure got to Boro in the last round and had the days been reversed and the players not known what a big chance this was to win the cup with Man U and Chelsea out then there would have been a more relaxed game. Regardless,they capitilised on this and again for the neutral,the idea of Fowler and Hasselbank winning the cup would be a great image.

Barnsley - Probably every neutrals team they want to win including myself. Beating Liverpool and Chelsea in a cup is something any team would be proud of. The way they've achieved this is something which will hopefully give hope to a lot of teams next season when the Fa Cup begins.

Can they win it? It depends on the mentality now. Logistically speaking if Barnsley can keep going and keep the momentum they've had for the last two games they can beat anybody left in. The danger is that they relax and see these games as easier games as Portsmouth might do.

No team in this last four is a favourite if this years run of games has taught us anything. Every supporter of these teams will be aware that this is the best chance in 100 years their team has had to win the cup and it maybe another 100 more before we see an Fa Cup as extraordinary as this one has been.

Feel free to leave comments below!

Thanks for Reading