FA Cup Semi Final Draw [R]

[Father Ted]

I didnt see another thread, but we get Newcastle. Arsenal and Blackburn for the other semi. Sets up nicely for a possible final with our recent foes.

The semis will be played April 16-17.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=325576&cc=5739

[delmundo]

The way Arsenal is going they may not get past Blackburn. Blackburn will play them tough.

[The Devil is in Me]

Newcastle (aka Shay Given) should put up quite the fight as well.

[johno]

I'd rather have faced Arsenal now, before the team gets too much confidence going... oh well, I don't think Blackburn will provide much of a problem for them and we definetly can't take Newcastle for granted.

[0413117]

Man Utd Vs Arse in the final then?

[Sapphire]

I think of all draw scenarios for us, this one is the toughest. However, I am really excited that we got the tough draw. I think that a successful run at the cup will stoke our competitive spirit and give us confidence at the end of the season, to take with us into next season. We can remember that we had key injuries this season and some tough breaks against Milan, but look at the end of the season when we hammered Arsenal in the FA cup final :D

By the way, there's currently a lovely pic on the BBC website of Keano kissing the cup. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/default.stm
(I'd post the pic, but I don't know how).

[sitati_kituyi]

Arsenal would be the toughest game, they aren't 2 points behind us for nothing. Newcastle is quite tough as well, I won't be fully confident, even though each of the players will be going out onto the park knowing this is a must win if there's to be silverware this year.

Wasn't the Chelsea tie scheduled for then? My guess is it will be postponed or moved forward to the midweek. What a week that would be then!

[Motterman]

By the way, there's currently a lovely pic on the BBC website of Keano kissing the cup. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/default.stm
(I'd post the pic, but I don't know how).

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40923000/jpg/_40923887_keanebod203.jpg

[Motterman]

Wasn't the Chelsea tie scheduled for then? My guess is it will be postponed or moved forward to the midweek. What a week that would be then!

It's postponed till much later in the season...

[listen_up_fergie]

I didnt see another thread, but we get Newcastle. Arsenal and Blackburn for the other semi. Sets up nicely for a possible final with our recent foes.

The semis will be played April 16-17.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=325576&cc=5739


We also have to keep in mind that this is possibily Alan Shearer's last season before he retires. Makes the Magpies fixture an even more interesting one, because I don't think Shearer has won any silverware with Newcastle as yet. And he's probably dying to win something and prove to himself that he made the right decision going to Tyneside instead of Manchester. Meanwhile, I'm sure Fergie is keen to show him why we've done just fine without him...

[Motterman]

And he's probably dying to win something and prove to himself that he made the right decision going to Tyneside instead of Manchester. Meanwhile, I'm sure Fergie is keen to show him why we've done just fine without him...

If Shearer thinks that winning an FA Cup medal makes up for all the glory he would have had if he had come to us, then it's a good thing he never came anyways....

[Mac_Howard]

The draw brings considerable interest back to the season. The last week or so has seen the season go belly up for both Utd and Arsenal fans but the possibility of a Utd/Arsenal FA Cup Final is mouth watering :)

[delmundo]

And he's probably dying to win something and prove to himself that he made the right decision going to Tyneside instead of Manchester.

Mr Shearer could possibly consider hanging in for another season and attempt to wrestle Mr Mourinho's tarnished Mug away from him while zipping in the 11 goals he is short of for the record at Newcastle if he wants to go out in style.
I think that after we unlesh our scoring mayhem on them they will be left standing, wanting, and looking forward to next year. We have what it takes and we are due.

[house18]

I do believe we now play Newcastle two weekends in a row.

[dredgfan]

I'm glad we face Newcastle the next two weekends. I can watch the game and be feeling good the rest of the week knowing that we have two more victories and a chance at some silverware. Newcastle has no chance save Man U not having a goal to shoot at.

[jammybastard]

The way Arsenal is going they may not get past Blackburn. Blackburn will play them tough.

Ah, Mark Hughes will be a hero for us again by serving Wenger's head on a pike to us?
Dare I dream?

BTW - I'm very happy for Hughes. He was a hell of a player for us, and it's nice to see him succeeding at Blackburn.

[haven]

Newcastle will give us a real fight. That team cares about winning the FA Cup. Our team will take it if they can't get anything else. English core an all, winning the FA Cup and nothing else is a disappointment to a lot of those guys.

My guess is we still win, but I'm already having nightmares of Alan "Not Called a Diver Because He's English" Shearer winning a dubious penalty and winning 1-0.

[The Devil is in Me]

Newcastle will give us a real fight. That team cares about winning the FA Cup. Our team will take it if they can't get anything else. English core an all, winning the FA Cup and nothing else is a disappointment to a lot of those guys.

I agree. These Newcastle boys have it in them to win this. Plus I can just see Given standing on his head, making saves left right and centre. It'll be low scoring that's for sure. Hopefully in our favour.

[sitati_kituyi]

I agree. These Newcastle boys have it in them to win this. Plus I can just see Given standing on his head, making saves left right and centre. It'll be low scoring that's for sure. Hopefully in our favour.
It will be tight, but I wouldn't conclude that it will be low scoring. We all know the beauty of the cup: a draw's no good to either team. Once one goes in, the conceding team has to go for an equalizer, and will usually either get it or be hit with a second on the break, after which the "5-0's as good as 2-0" mentality kicks in...

In the cup, a tight game that in the league could be 1-0 can end 3-2. You can't explain it too techincally, it's just the damn beauty of the thing!

[The Devil is in Me]

It will be tight, but I wouldn't conclude that it will be low scoring. We all know the beauty of the cup: a draw's no good to either team. Once one goes in, the conceding team has to go for an equalizer, and will usually either get it or be hit with a second on the break, after which the "5-0's as good as 2-0" mentality kicks in...

In the cup, a tight game that in the league could be 1-0 can end 3-2. You can't explain it too techincally, it's just the damn beauty of the thing!

I understand what you're saying, and with Newcastles shawdy defence you're probably right. Thinking back now at the Southampton game, Smith had some pretty decent blocks and saves and we still managed to put 4 behind him.