FA Cup 4th round draw: Reading/Spurs at OT

[Charleysurf]

Even if it's Reading we will need to play a full strength team. Can't afford a replay like last season. Arsenal and Liverpool will get to rest players.


Arsenal v Stoke or Newcastle
Coventry v Walsall or Milwall
Oldham v Huddlesfield
Swindon or Barnet v Fulham or Bristol Rovers
Wigan v Chelsea
Luton v Liverpool v Swansea City or Havant and Waterlooville
Southend v Barnsley
Southampton v Norwich or Bury
Manchester United v Spurs or Reading
Portsmouth v Plymouth
Derby or Sheffield Wed v Preston
Watford v Wolves
Peterborough v Charlton or WBA
Sheffield Utd v West Ham or Man City
Mansfield Town v Middlesbrough
Tranmere/ Hereford v Cardiff

[yikchi]

is this thing rigged ? why the hell are we keep getting PL side ?

[BusbyBabes]

Was it last year that we kept getting a PL team all the way to the Final??

I hope it is Spurs as they have more of a softer underbelly than Reading (who took us to a replay last year).

No doubt Berbatov will actually looked bothered because he always plays well against us...;)

[yikchi]

I remember we played Villa, Boro, Watford in the Semi, and of course Chelski in the Final... are those all the teams we played...

[FIFARay007]

Either way, I think this thing might be rigged. On the plus side, it seems to be the small teams we struggle with, because we field a "weaker" side. With Reading or Tottenham, I'm sure we'll put a solid team out there and not get caught with our pants down.

[cr7torossi]

The draw is rigged as always(the BBC gets to televise our game). The only surprise is that Chelsea did not get their usual bye.

[Father Ted]

Here we go again...we'll have to do it the hard way. Very suspicious that we have yet another tough draw but at least it's at home which is a plus. I wonder what Sir Alex will have to say about this.

[Achtung]

Either way, I think this thing might be rigged. On the plus side, it seems to be the small teams we struggle with, because we field a "weaker" side. With Reading or Tottenham, I'm sure we'll put a solid team out there and not get caught with our pants down.

Yeah, as long as we don't end up with a mid-week replay, I'm fine with playing a top-flight opponent. I have more faith these days in our first team's ability to handle a Prem club in a cup match than in the kids' ability to do so against a lower league club.

[sdotsom]

It must be rigged for the TV. How else can you explain us continuing to get tougher sides, 2 years running now?

Was it in the Cup last year where we had that blistering 3 goals in the first 7 minutes, only to be on the back foot for the next 84 as Reading pulled 2 back, almost 3? We're going to have to be wary.

[yikchi]

Was it in the Cup last year where we had that blistering 3 goals in the first 7 minutes, only to be on the back foot for the next 84 as Reading pulled 2 back, almost 3? We're going to have to be wary.

Oh now I remember. It was a replay. The first game was 1-1 at OT. Carrick scored and Reading tied it late.
Then the replay is the game you mentioned. I remember Heinze, Saha, and 20Legend scored then we try to hold on for dear life... it was the weirdest game of the season, a win that felt like a lost.

[sdotsom]

Yeah now I remember. I don't think the phrase "edge of the seat" did that game justice. We were barely hanging on, Reading just kept pouring attack after attack after attack - I'm pretty sure one of the Scandinavian players they have hit the bar in the last few minutes...that was some game.

Not really happy with either of these 2 teams, but we can do the job on them so it is what it is. Would probably want Spurs, only because Reading can show tenacity when necessary.

[Numquam Moribimur]

PPL who have the acs are not going to be happy :eek:

[Holy__Joe]

PPL who have the acs are not going to be happy :eek:

Wouldn't they rather pay to see a real team though rather than a lower league team if its compulsary?

[433tom]

Yeah now I remember. I don't think the phrase "edge of the seat" did that game justice. We were barely hanging on, Reading just kept pouring attack after attack after attack - I'm pretty sure one of the Scandinavian players they have hit the bar in the last few minutes...that was some game.

Not really happy with either of these 2 teams, but we can do the job on them so it is what it is. Would probably want Spurs, only because Reading can show tenacity when necessary.

It's at OT this time. So I have no problem with the draw. If it's Reading, all Fergie will have to do is point back to the season opener for the lads to be up for it. IMO it's better than getting bounced by a lower league side because we didn't take them seriously.

[Stud83]

I agree, I think it's a good draw. I don't want to give up on FA Cup, and I'd much rather take our chances against a good Premiership team playing near full strengh line up than play against a motivated Colaship team with reserves.

[leafdolfan]

At least its at OT, we should be able to avoid a replay if the 1st game is at OT against either club.

[johno]

Happy for the draw for all the reasons mentioned, but also because I think as weird as it sounds, we need more games against top opposition. We're very out of sorts right now.

Ronaldo, Anderson, Evra and Rio are all playing above average football but the rest of the squad barring Tevez (who picked up a knock) and Giggs (who isn't playing well for 90, but coming up with the goodslike he always does) are not playing well. We're also suffering from a lack of chemistry so any matches where many first teamers are challenged to play their best are important.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

*sigh*

[Red 11]

Yeah now I remember. I don't think the phrase "edge of the seat" did that game justice. We were barely hanging on, Reading just kept pouring attack after attack after attack - I'm pretty sure one of the Scandinavian players they have hit the bar in the last few minutes...that was some game.

I'm sure my co-workers in The Little Cubicle Farm That Is My Office had thought I'd gone way off the deep end that day while listening to the match online. And yes, Gunnarsson hit the crossbar for Reading in the dying seconds.

[Harry Boulton]

A very winnable game. My only concern is that, towards the end of the season, SAF will start to priortitise and put out and weaker side in order to preserve our CL and league form.

Other than that, any game at OT is winnable.

On a side note, Havant and Waterlooville look odds on favourites to get through to the 5th round if they can avoid Luton in the next round....... :p:D